sheep-sticker, noun
- Origin:
- South African DutchShow more Calque formed on South African Dutch schaapsteker, see skaapsteker.
skaapsteker. Also attributive.
[1849 A. Smith Illust. of Zoo. of S. Afr.: Reptilia Pl.56The Schaap Sticker varies considerably in colour, and the markings differ in different individuals.]
1881 P. Gillmore Land of Boer 147Another species well known in the colony as the sheep-sticker, and pronounced to be very poisonous,..I am inclined to believe innocuous.
1936 L.G. Green Secret Afr. 233My movement disturbed a poisonous snake known as the skaapsteker (sheep-sticker).
1987 D. Matthee Mulberry Forest (1989) 314If it was a sheep-sticker snake, I would be able to save him myself.
skaapsteker. Also attributive.
Entry Navigation
Visualise Quotations
Quotation summarySenses
Browse Related Words
By Category
Copyright © 2020 Dictionary Unit for South African English.