braai, noun
/ˈbraɪ/
- Origin:
- Shortened form of braaivleis, see braaivleis.
1.
a. An informal outdoor gathering at which meat is grilled over an open fire; braaivleis sense 1; braaivleisaand; vleisbraai. Also attributive, and occasionally figurative.
1963 M.G. McCoy Informant, Port ElizabethAll of us went out to Bushy Park at 11 for a braai.
1969 I. Vaughan Last of Sunlit Yrs 31After some argument, we all..decide to go off to German Bay for a swim and a braai.
1970 Halls Committee Minutes (Rhodes University) 26 Oct. 3Students should acquaint themselves with Municipal regulations regarding the holding of braais.
1975 Darling 1 Oct. 31Don’t let the kids gallop around with braai forks — there’s always someone who gets maimed or branded.
1976 V. Rosenberg Sunflower 213The menu in the Bosman-Vorster camp comprised braai chops, ‘stywepap’ and ‘vetkoek’, all washed down with claret.
1978 Sunday Times 3 Aug. (Mag. Sect.) 3It’s braaivleis time! Bring out the charcoal, fix up the grid. Isn’t it good to be South African and enjoy a braai!
1978 A.P. Brink Rumours of Rain 148In the evening we had guests at a braai beside the pool until after midnight.
1989 Sunday Times 19 Nov. (Mag. Sect.) 10The rest of the world has Gorbachev and his glasnost initiative, and we have De Klerk and his boerewost [sic] initiative but yet I cannot help wondering if somehow we are not still headed for a braai.
1990 B. Ronge in Sunday Times 2 Dec. (Mag. Sect.) 8If there are bean sprouts on the salads, you are at a relevant braai.
b. With distinguishing epithets designating different types of braai according to:
i. The method used:
1988 H. Prendini in Style June 105Like the man who invented the newspaper braai..he gets an immense kick out of using whatever comes to hand.
1982 Het Suid-Western 22 Dec.Spectators at Saturday’s gathering who attended a delightful spit-braai after the drill.
ii. The food grilled:
1972 Grocott’s Mail 17 Nov. 3A chicken braai and dance, with no political speeches..will be held for United Party supporters and friends.
1977 Darling 8 June 120One of my greatest pleasures in life is a fish braai during the summer holiday when fresh fish is abundant.
1988 E. Withers in Fair Lady 22 June (Suppl.) 15Another chapter deals with the increasingly popular fish braai.
1980 Sunday Times 25 May 11Inviting Hindus to an oxbraai is tantamount to inviting Muslims or Jews to a pork braai.
2.
a. Any of several types of structure in which a fire is made for the outdoor grilling of meat.
- Note:
- These may be stone or brick fireplaces or portable wood, gas or charcoal grills.
1962 J. Taylor ‘Hennie van Saracen’. (lyrics)As we sits round the braai, chewing boerewors, My Dad says ‘You’re famous Son’.
1972 Sunday Times 2 Sept. (Mag. Sect.) 4Someone grabbed our braai and sosaties and vanished into the night. We did not mind the loss of the food so much, as the loss of the braai.
1976 Daily Dispatch 24 Aug. 16Lovely to look at, delightful to own. South entry, north-facing home with secluded outdoor living around the pool and braai.
1990 Sunday Times 29 Oct. (Mag. Sect.) 38While the ladies prepare the salads and the mieliepap, the small talk around the braai is the same as the big talk. Farming.
b. Occasionally with distinguishing epithet designating the type of structure so used:
1993 Getaway Nov. 28 (advt)Ken and Angela Self with their tent, sleeping bags, gas braai and the rest of their gear set off to take on the challenge of Africa.
3. noncount. Meat grilled over an open fire; braaivleis sense 2.
1972 Cape Times 29 Apr. 2Braai, cooked in the garden, was served in the restored ‘keller’ which is shortly to be opened as a restaurant.
1976 Sunday Times 16 May (Mag. Sect.) 4Unlike the ladies there, who are obviously accustomed to that kind of meat,..I stuck to the braai.
1986 D. Case Love, David 25‘Smell that braai!’ Oupa said. ‘Yes,’ David replied. ‘It makes you hungry.’
4. combinations
1979 E. Prov. Herald 31 Oct. 11Skill shows..in the neatly handsome brickwork used in the braai area.
1989 J. Hobbs Thoughts in Makeshift Mortuary 76The back yards were too small to accommodate even a modest swimming pool and braai area.
1977 E. Prov. Herald 10 Feb. 11 (advt)Farmer Brown chickens...Now you can get them in special Braaipaks.
1989 J. Evans in Personality 9 Oct. 23The locals were out in force with picnic hampers of beer and braai packs.
1985 Cape Times 4 Oct. 6He arrives..clutching cushions, sun-umbrella, portable braai, radio,..padkos and braai wood.
1989 Flying Springbok Oct. 108Small-time entrepreneurs were selling..braai wood, making a packet from the occasion.
1938 ‘Mrs Gossip’ in Star 1 Dec. 12Pannekoeke, braaiwors, melktert, mosbolletjies, beskuit and coffee could be had in plenty.
Barbecue.
An informal outdoor gathering at which meat is grilled over an open fire; braaivleis1; braaivleisaand; vleisbraai. Also attributive, and occasionally figurative.
Any of several types of structure in which a fire is made for the outdoor grilling of meat.
Meat grilled over an open fire; braaivleis2.
Compounds & Derivatives
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Copyright © 2019 Dictionary Unit for South African English.
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