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baas

British  
/ bɑːs /

noun

  1. a South African word for a boss: often used by Black or Coloured people addressing a White manager or overseer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of baas

C17: from Afrikaans, from Middle Dutch baes master; see boss 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Chicago this week, amid bellows, oinks, neighs and baas, with the skirl of a bagpipe band, exuberant farmers gathered for the 42nd International Livestock Exposition.

From Time Magazine Archive

Said a rival: "Lady Caroline baas like a little sheep."

From Time Magazine Archive

In their tongue B.A.A.S. would spell revolting baas, "master," "boss."

From Time Magazine Archive

The word baas means “move” in Afrikaans, but it is customarily reserved for cattle.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

“My baas has run out of petrol,” I said.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.