The story
They were perceived, much like a cooked steak, as outwardly brown, reflecting the colour of Nazi uniforms, while inwardly red, a colour traditionally associated with communism and socialism.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: A communist or socialist in Nazi Germany who joined the Nazi Party. Full definition →
They were perceived, much like a cooked steak, as outwardly brown, reflecting the colour of Nazi uniforms, while inwardly red, a colour traditionally associated with communism and socialism.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.