Groot Krokodil, noun phrase
- Forms:
- Also with small initials.
- Origin:
- AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, groot great + krokodil crocodile (see quotation 1990), a parody on traditional African honorific titles given to leaders of stature.
colloquial
a. The Groot Krokodil: A nickname given to P.W. Botha, dating from the term of his state presidency; crocodile. b. transferred sense (plural krokodille), used of anyone perceived to be acting ferociously or relentlessly.
1989 S. Johnson in Weekly Mail 3 Mar. 23For a man who gives a platform to people who’d have the Groot Krokodil grabbing for his hotline to Auckland Park..he’s no revolutionary.
1994 R. Barnes on Radio South Africa 1 Jan. (Woman’s World)The groot krokodil being ousted from power, and F. W. de Klerk coming in.
The Groot Krokodil: A nickname given to P.W. Botha, dating from the term of his state presidency; crocodile.
used of anyone perceived to be acting ferociously or relentlessly.