soutpiel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowColloquial, Informal, Slang, Usually Offensive
Quick answer
What does “soutpiel” mean?
An ethnic slur used by some South Africans against British or English South Africans, often seen as derogatory or humorous.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ethnic slur used by some South Africans against British or English South Africans, often seen as derogatory or humorous.
While literally meaning "salt penis" in Afrikaans, in usage it implies someone who cannot decide between two homes or loyalties, historically suggesting a British South African whose loyalties are "left dangling" between South Africa and the UK. It has seen occasional ironic or self-referential use by those it describes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is unknown in both General British and General American English. Its exclusive usage is within South African English. A British or American speaker would likely not know this word unless they had specific ties to SA.
Connotations
In SAE: Offensive, aggressive, or jocular within specific in-groups. In BrE/AmE: Zero recognition.
Frequency
Virtually zero outside South Africa. Its frequency in South Africa is relatively low and context-specific, largely confined to historical, confrontational, or satirical discussions about identity.
Grammar
How to Use “soutpiel” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a soutpiel.They called him a soutpiel.[Person] has a soutpiel attitude.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unacceptable and highly unprofessional.
Academic
Only appears in historical, linguistic, or sociological studies of SA slang/ethnic terminology.
Everyday
Potentially highly offensive; not for general use. May be used jocularly among very close friends who share that identity.
Technical
Linguistics, Sociology, Historical Studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soutpiel”
- Using it as a neutral term.
- Using it outside a South African context.
- Misspelling (soutpyl, saltpiel).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a slang term specific to South African English and is not part of the standard lexicon of International English.
It is strongly advised against. The term is widely considered offensive and its use could cause serious offence or lead to misunderstandings.
It is a compound of 'sout' (salt) and 'piel' (penis), literally meaning 'salt penis'.
Historically, it mocked British men who came to South Africa but whose loyalties were thought to remain with Britain, implying they had 'one foot in each country' and were therefore 'dangling in the sea'.
An ethnic slur used by some South Africans against British or English South Africans, often seen as derogatory or humorous.
Soutpiel is usually colloquial, informal, slang, usually offensive in register.
Soutpiel: in British English it is pronounced ˈsaʊtpiːl, and in American English it is pronounced ˈsaʊtˌpil. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have one foot in England and the other in the sea (paraphrasing the implied imagery of the term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOUTH (Sout) African who is a PENIS (Piel)? (Remember: this is the offensive, literal meaning. The mnemonic is for recall only, not endorsement.)
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGLING/BETWEEN (The metaphor of being stretched between two places, with loyalties/physical presence not fully committed to either).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the word 'soutpiel' primarily used?