Boers

/ˈbuːrz/ noun

Definition

Farmers of Dutch descent who settled in South Africa, or referring to their culture and history.

Etymology

From Dutch 'boer,' meaning farmer. Dutch settlers brought the word with them to South Africa in the 1600s, and it stuck to describe this specific group of colonists.

Kelly Says

The Boers developed a unique culture and language (Afrikaans) distinct from the Dutch who stayed home—it's a fascinating example of how isolated groups of people create new identities!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.