ironie, noun

Forms:
Also inie.
Origin:
English, AfrikaansShow more Formed on English iron + (informal) noun-forming suffix -ie (or Afrikaans -ie).
In the language of schoolchildren: a large ball-bearing used as a marble. Cf. ghoen sense a. See also arlie.
1948 V.M. Fitzroy Cabbages & Cream 135I have a fellow-feeling for..Terence when he comes to me in despair and says that his inie and his blood-alley have gone again.
1970 A.J. Du Preez Informant, Misgund, Western CapeIronie. Iron marble, usually the ball of a ball bearing.
1971 K. Hobson Informant, Grahamstown (now Makhanda, Eastern Cape)On Wednesday we’re going all round the garages to ask for ironies,..ball bearings to use as marbles.
1972 E. Prov. Herald 3 Apr. 17Watching the youngsters ‘sticking up’ their ghoens, precious king sizes and ironies, there was little doubt of the seriousness of it all.
1973 Argus 2 Apr. 20Hoffie and the grubby children watched with awe and admiration as the General’s ‘ironie’ scattered the marbles with deadly accuracy.
1985 E. Prov. Herald 27 Feb. 1Ready to catch the marbles of hopefuls taking shots at his monster ‘ironie’ in Grey Junior School’s ‘arlie patch’.
1990 Fair Lady 6 June 11They stagger off to school with bank bags bulging with ironies and alies.
a large ball-bearing used as a marble.
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19481990