rooinek

[ roo-ee-nek ]

noun

, South African.

1. Briton; Britisher.

rooinek

/ ˈrɔɪ-; ˈrʊɪnɛk /

noun

1. a contemptuous or jocular name for an English person or an English-speaking South African

Word History and Origins

Origin of rooinek¹

1885–90; < Afrikaans, equivalent to rooi red + nek neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of rooinek¹

C19: Afrikaans, literally: red neck

Example Sentences

He had been looking at the cow, and feeling it, when down out of the hayloft had come leaping the form of the Rooinek lieutenant, which had sprung in between him and the cow, and, stooping, had wrapped a white rag round his thigh, above the knee.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw that Rooinek lieutenant I shot when he was bringing me drink, thinking I was wounded.

From Project Gutenberg

“There you are, rooinek,” he said surlily.

From Project Gutenberg

I want him to make this rooinek run—if he can.”

From Project Gutenberg

Well, here’s a rooinek you can’t make run, Hermanus Delport, elephant as you are.

From Project Gutenberg