wikipedia
English
Etymology
From D. variously ascribed to mean stutterer; and from hot en tot being an approximation of common sounds in the Khoi language.
First known use 1677 (in Dutch).
Proper noun
Hottentot
- A member of the Khoi group of peoples.
- The Language of the Khoi remarkable for its clicks.
- Any of several fish of the species Pachymetopon
The origional Webster's Definition is amazingly crass and is included for interest. "one of a degraded and savage race of South Africa, with yellowish brown complection, high cheek bones and wooly hair growing in tufts". Webster's International Dictionary 1902.
Lady Ann Barnard: Letters and Journals: 1798-1801 "I was told that the Hottentots were uncommonly ugly and disgusting, but I do not think them so bad. Their features are small and their cheekbones immense, but they have a kind expression and countenance."
George Bernard Shaw: Pygmalion: 1948: "I have tried her with every sort of sound that a human being can make...Hottentot clicks, things it took me years to get hold of."
Derived terms
Hottentot's Holland Range: The mountains surrounding the Western Cape.
Hottentot('s) god: The praying mantis.
Hottentot('s) fig: Mesembryanthemum edulus also known as sour fig.
Hotentot('s) cabbage: Any of several species of Trachandra, an edible plant.
Obsolete: Hottentot apron. Elongated labia.
References
Webster's International Dictionary 1902.
Jean Bradford: A dictionary of South African English: Oxford 1978.
Translations
rfc-level|Translations at L4+ not in L3 POS section (AutoFormat? would have corrected level of Derived terms)
mid
Spanish: hotentote m
Category:South African English
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