groot baas, noun phrase
- Forms:
- Also groote baas, and with initial capitals.
- Origin:
- South African DutchShow more South African Dutch, groot great + baas master (see baas).
1. A respectful form of address to an influential person, usually the ultimate authority in a hierarchy; occasionally also used as a common noun. See also baas.
1812 A. Plumptre tr. of H. Lichtenstein’s Trav. in Sn Afr. (1928) I. 118He often introduced the words Groot Baas, (Great Master), by which he meant to signify our chief. The Hottentots commonly call the masters they serve Baas, and the governor of the colony had ever since its establishment been always called both by them and their wild fellow-countrymen Groot Baas.
2. Figurative, and transferred sense.
a. God.
1828 T. Pringle Ephemerides 214Has not the Groot Baas (the Great Master) given plenty of grass, roots, and berries, and grasshoppers for our use?
b. The government.
a1875 T. Baines Jrnl of Res. (1964) II. 99The extension of British Government here would be a day of great rejoicing among the oppressed natives, who are now eagerly asking every Englishman when the Groot Baas, or Government is coming.
A respectful form of address to an influential person, usually the ultimate authority in a hierarchy; occasionally also used as a common noun.
God.
The government.
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