‖semels, noun
- Forms:
- Formerly also semmels, simmels.
- Origin:
- Afrikaans, DutchShow more Afrikaans, from Dutch zemelen.
2. transferred sense. Mining. See quotations 1871 and 1985.
1871 J. Shaw in Cape Monthly Mag. II. June 359At Jagersfontein there is a substance of a singular character, which, from its appearance, has been named by the Boers semmels (bran). This is a fine clayey débris glistening with talc, and is undoubtedly the detritus from the talcose claystone or clayey schist.
1985 A.J.A. Janse in Glover & Harris Kimberlite Occurrence & Origin 23The Boer diggers recognised that the stuff from the Dry Diggings was different from the alluvial muddy sand and gravel of the River Diggings and referred to the mud of the Dry Diggings as ‘Zemelen’ or ‘Semmels’ because the ubiquitous mica flakes reminded them of bran husks in meal.
Bran.
See quotations 1871 and 1985.
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