Turkish fig, noun phrase

Origin:
South African Dutch, DutchShow more Translation of South African Dutch Turksvij, from Dutch Turks Turkish + vij fig.
obs.
The fruit of any of several species of Opuntia (prickly pear) of the Cactaceae, especially O. vulgaris; tolofiya; turksvy. Also Turk’s fig.
1844 J. Backhouse Narr. of Visit 123An orange-flowered Opuntia, which seems to be naturalized here, and is called Turkish-fig, is common in some sandy grounds.
1874 A. Edgar in Friend 26 Feb.Here were a great many ‘Turk’s figs’, and hearing that they were good eating, I got myself into grief by grabbing at a lot of them, but as quickly dropped them again, and could scarcely get their confounded little thorns out of my hands for a week after.
1902 D. Van Warmelo On Commando 98The old kraal walls and the peach-trees and ‘Turkish figs’, (prickly pears), overgrown by wild trees and an occasional earthen vessel, were the remains of the Kaffir city.
a1951 H.C. Bosman Willemsdorp (1977) 88A prickly pear, broad-leafed and steadfast: Turkish fig was the name the Boers gave to it.
The fruit of any of several species of Opuntia (prickly pear) of the Cactaceae, especially O. vulgaris; tolofiya; turksvy. Also Turk’s fig.
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turkey buzzard, noun phrasen. phr.turksvy, nounn.
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