moffie

English

Etymology

Probably borrowed from Afrikaans moffie (from mofskaap, a castrated sheep), or possibly derived from mophrodite (a slang variant of hermaphrodite).[1] Other theories derive it from Afrikaans moffie (“mitten”) or from English mauve but are considered tenuous and far-fetched.[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmɒfi/
  • Rhymes: -ɒfi

Noun

moffie (plural moffies)

  1. (South Africa, derogatory, offensive) An effeminate homosexual man; faggot, fairy.
    • 2005, Verenia Keet, Colored Hill, page 78:
      Sometimes, they admonished their children in mock-protest for following and making fun of the moffies. "Go away," one moffie said in a shrilly[sic] voice, elaborately fanning out long painted scissors-like fingernails to scare the children away.

Derived terms

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Defiant Desire: Gay and Lesbian Lives in South Africa (2013), →ISBN

Afrikaans

Etymology 1

Probably from French moufle

Noun

moffie (plural moffies)

  1. mitten

Etymology 2

From mofskaap, a merino sheep.

Noun

moffie (plural moffies)

  1. (often derogatory) homosexual man
    Synonym: gay
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