rooinek

The story

1. Afrikaans · derived fromrooinek
2. English todayrooinek

From Afrikaans rooinek, from rooi (“red”) + nek (“neck”). The term refers to South Africans of British descent, who were perceived by Afrikaners to wear headgear (such as solar topees or no hat at all) which was inadequate in protecting them from sunburn, and thus caused them to have red necks. Other theories include the term being a reference to the red collars of 19th-century British military uniforms or to the red markings that British-South African farmers painted on their imported merino sheep. Compare redneck.

First known use, by meaning

• from 19th c. An Englishman, or a South African that speaks English as opposed to Afrikaans.