steeg, noun

Origin:
Dutch.
An alley or lane between buildings. Also attributive.
Note:
A feature of early Cape Town, reflected still in street names.
[1815 Afr. Court Calendar & Dir.Abrahams, Johannes, Fisherman, 1, Harder Steeg. Alexander, Carel Lodewyk, Boatman, 2, Harder Steeg.]
1926 P.W. Laidler Tavern of Ocean 185It became usual in the days of thatched roofs to leave little four-foot passages between the houses to allow of the overhang and drip of the thatch. This resulted in numerous lanes and alleys, for which at one time the town was famous. Koffie Steeg remains in its translated form of Coffee Lane.
1951 L.G. Green Grow Lovely 63In the old town the houses usually had lanes between them four feet in width...Such a lane was called a ‘steeg’ and the ‘steeg’ names were often picturesque. Off Waterkant..one found Dopper Steeg, Crabbe Steeg, Mossel Steeg, Klipfish Lane and Lelie Steeg.
1971 L.G. Green Taste of S.-Easter 141When you glance into a cobbled steeg filled with washing you move back two centuries.
An alley or lane between buildings. Also attributive.
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18151971