spoiler, noun
- Origin:
- From the Spoilers a gang operating in Alexandra township, Johannesburg, during the 1940s and ’50s (see quotation 1952).
obsolescent, slang
In urban (especially township) English: a trouble-maker; one who terrorizes law-abiding persons. Cf. skebenga, tsotsi sense 1.
[1952 Drum May 40The Spoilers take their name from a gangster film, and their operations are centred around the Pimville and Moroka areas...Spoilers dare not come to town during the day.]
1964 G. Gordon Four People 237‘Spoilers,’ he said. ‘That’s what they call these damn agitators. Tomorrow you’ll see we won’t get any newspapers.’
a trouble-maker; one who terrorizes law-abiding persons.

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