boslemmer, noun

/ˈbɔslemə(r)/
Forms:
Formerly also boschlemmer.
Origin:
Afrikaans, South African DutchShow more Afrikaans (earlier South African Dutch boschlemmer), bos bush + lemmer blade of knife.
historical
Hernhutter. Also attributive.
1806 Cape Town Gaz. 8 Feb. (Suppl.)Public Sale. On Monday & Tuesday the 24 & 25 of Feb. 1806 there will be sold at the farm of Jacobus Redelinghuis,..Boslemmer-knifes..blue and white Baftas.
1819 W. Anderson in G.M. Theal Rec. of Cape Col. (1902) XII. 168Common Tools. — Hatchets,..Files, Knives (Boslemmers).
1821 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 191For a fine fat sheep, Mr Snyman was satisfied to take two Gnadenthal knives, called here boschlemmers, the goodness of which has long recommended them to the inhabitants of the colony.
1971 L.G. Green Taste of S.-Easter 158I asked Anna about some knives of unfamiliar design and she told me they were boslemmers from the Genadendal mission; they were really farmer’s knives, useful for rough work in a kitchen.
1972 L.G. Green When Journey’s Over 29The missionaries were teaching their flock tanning, the craft of the tinsmith and blacksmith, wagon-building and the manufacture of the celebrated Moravian knives known as boslemmers or Hernhutters.
Hernhutter. Also attributive.
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18061972

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historical
Boskop, nounn.BOSS, nounn.
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