Greyshirt, noun

Origin:
Named for the colour of the shirts worn by the organization’s uniformed security personnel.
historical
A member of the South African National Party (1933–48), a national-socialist movement noted for its advocacy of anti-semitism and White supremacy, and its sympathy with the Nazi movement in Germany. Usually in the plural, used collectively. Also attributive.
Note:
The South African National Party was subsequently renamed the White Workers’ Party, and formed part of the coalition which brought the National Party to power in 1948, after which it disbanded.
1943 ‘J. Burger’ Black Man’s Burden 33The Purified Nationalists..have now added Semitism, liberalism, and communism to the list of -isms that they abhor. In 1939 they received a slight accession of strength in the shape of the Grey Shirt, or South African Nazi, movement.
1950 H. Gibbs Twilight in S. Afr. 179New parties of Nazi sympathy..moved into the field, attracting considerable support among young Afrikaners to whom they represented Germany’s war with Britain as their own issue. Among these was the Handhawersbond...Another group was Louis Weichardt’s Greyshirts.
1964 M. Benson Afr. Patriots 76Anti-semitism surfaced in the Greyshirts and Blackshirts.
1972 Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. V. 348Greyshirts, A national-socialistic movement initiated at Cape Town by Louis Theodor Weichardt on 26 Oct. 1933...The Greyshirts were schooled in the principles of race, the struggle against Communism, responsible leadership, and the ideal of a White state which would seek close association with a united Europe. The fourfold policy of self-determination for Whites, Bantu, Indians and Coloureds was propagated from the start.
1972 L.E. Neame in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VII. 131Oswald Pirow had launched his New Order and was appealing to Afrikaners with a brand of National socialism reminiscent of that advocated by Hitler; and the anti-semitic Greyshirts..were putting forward similar ideas.
1990 G. Slovo Ties of Blood 193‘Who are those funny-looking people?’ Sarah asked. ‘Greyshirts,’ said Mrs Lewis.
1991 A. Van Wyk Birth of New Afrikaner 61There were various contenders for the soul of Afrikanerdom — the anti-semitic Grey Shirt movement, [etc.]...The Grey Shirts..were small fry, with the real fight..fought between the NP and OB.
[1993 S. Branca in Sunday Times 11 July 17A woman agent who..spent her spare time making uniforms for the OB’s Greyshirts.]
A member of the South African National Party (1933–48), a national-socialist movement noted for its advocacy of anti-semitism and White supremacy, and its sympathy with the Nazi movement in Germany. Usually in the plural, used collectively. Also attributive.
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