rhodie

plural rhodies · alternative rhoddy · alternative rhody

1. informalA rhododendron.

   The banging of rhodie leaves against one another and against other plants can damage them.

   1969, Ted Van Veen, Rhododendrons in America, Portland, Or.: Binford & Mort Publishing, published 1980, →ISBN, page 118

   2 more examples

   It was my first sight of Rhododendron griersonianum – a “dry soil rhodie”, according to Mr White – and Menziesia ciliicalyx, Clethra delavayi and Enkianthus pallidiflorus were fresh to my eyes.

   1983, Graham Stuart Thomas, Graham Stuart Thomas’ Three Gardens of Pleasant Flowers: With Notes on Their Design, Maintenance, and Plants, Capability’s Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 34

   It had dark green shiny leaves like a rhodie, but its flowers looked like giant purple pansies.

   1995, Robert K. Tanenbaum, Corruption of Blood, Dutton, →ISBN, page 139

plural Rhodies

1. South AfricaUKderogatoryinformalsometimesA white person who is resident in, or self-identifies with Rhodesia, particularly in its pre-independence days.

   […] the British squaddies look with faint contempt on the Rhodesians (or "Rhodies" as they sometimes call them; military slang mushrooms overnight).[…]

   1980, Simon Hoggart, “Ironing the lawn in Salisbury - the last days of Rhodesia”, in The Guardian

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   Remaindered from the Rhodesian war, all they have now is their ghosts inadequately repressed by extreme religion, alcohol, purple pills or a penchant for tearing down bars. Don't believe these guys don't exist. Spot them at the end of a Harare Rhodie bar or even worse stumbling towards you across the terrace of a bush hotel […]

   2004 September, Peter Longworth, “Dark hearts”, in The Guardian

plural Rhodies

1. informalA recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship.