‖Gatjieponder, noun
- Forms:
- Formerly also Gatjaponner /ˈxatjaˌpɔnə(r)/, and occasionally with small initial.
- Origin:
- AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, adaptation of earlier Gatjaponner, from gatjapon frock-coat (gat see gat + japon gown) + -er suffix denoting a member of (an organization, or group of believers).
colloquial
- Note:
- Members of the Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika (see Gereformeerde) coined the derisive epithet Gatjaponner from the colloquial word for the frock-coats worn by members of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk.
Sometimes derogatory: a member of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (see NGK); occasionally, a member of any Afrikaans church.
- Note:
- In quotation 1983 the writer, a black minister in the Dutch Reformed church, has misinterpreted the meaning of the word; or perhaps this is an example of a new sense.
1959 L.G. Green These Wonders 148A party of Voortrekkers, some Doppers.., others Gatjaponners (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk)..formed a laerplek on the present town site. Religious arguments arose, and the Doppers moved off...The Gatjaponners named their home Edenburg, an earthly paradise after the departure of the Doppers.
1983 in Fair Lady 16 Nov. 170People didn’t trust me because of my association with Afrikaners...In a crowd there was always someone who whispered just loud enough for me to hear: Gatjieponder, gatjieponder (stooge)...And in 1962 I woke up one night to find my church in flames.
a member of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (see NGK); occasionally, a member of any Afrikaans church.
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