baas

British

/ bɑːs /

noun

a South African word for a boss: often used by Black or Coloured people addressing a White manager or overseer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of baas

C17: from Afrikaans, from Middle Dutch baes master; see _boss ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

baas

In their tongue B.A.A.S. would spell revolting baas, "master," "boss."

From Time Magazine Archive

Said a rival: "Lady Caroline baas like a little sheep."

From Time Magazine Archive

In Chicago this week, amid bellows, oinks, neighs and baas, with the skirl of a bagpipe band, exuberant farmers gathered for the 42nd International Livestock Exposition.

From Time Magazine Archive

“My baas has run out of petrol,” I said.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

The word baas means “move” in Afrikaans, but it is customarily reserved for cattle.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023