moffie

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English

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Etymology

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Probably borrowed from Afrikaans moffie (from mofskaap, a castrated sheep), or possibly derived from mophrodite (a slang variant of hermaphrodite).[1] Other theories derive it from Afrikaans moffie (mitten) or from English mauve but are considered tenuous and far-fetched.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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moffie (plural moffies)

  1. (South Africa, derogatory, offensive) An effeminate homosexual man; faggot, fairy.
    • 2005, Verenia Keet, Colored Hill, page 78:
      Sometimes, they admonished their children in mock-protest for following and making fun of the moffies. "Go away," one moffie said in a shrilly[sic] voice, elaborately fanning out long painted scissors-like fingernails to scare the children away.

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Defiant Desire: Gay and Lesbian Lives in South Africa (2013), →ISBN

Afrikaans

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Etymology 1

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Probably from French moufle

Noun

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moffie (plural moffies)

  1. mitten

Etymology 2

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From mofskaap, a merino sheep.

Noun

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moffie (plural moffies)

  1. (often derogatory) homosexual man
    Synonym: gay