troopien.
/ˈtruːpi/ colloquial.
In South Africa and Rhodesia (subsequently Zimbabwe): an ordinary soldier, a private; a national serviceman without rank.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun]
soldiera1300
sergeantc1300
private soldier1566
common soldier1569
private man1651
man1690
(private) centinel1710
single sentinel1721
private1775
single soldier1816
troop1832
ranksman1845
dog soldier1852
ranker1890
other rank1904
mucko1917
squaddie1933
craftsman1942
peon1957
grunt1969
troopie1972
1972 Eng. Use in S. Afr. May Some of the troopies with particularly dirty habits..receive the title vuilgat.
1976 Times 4 Aug. 12/3 On the radio, request programmes for ‘troopies’ in the operational areas aim to keep spirits high.
1980 Observer 3 Aug. 10/1 The FN rifle carried by troopies in the bush.
2006 L. A. Vivanco & R. J. Gordon Tarzan was Eco-tourist iv. 229 It is only now, like Vietnam vets, that former South African troopies are starting to discuss their experiences.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.1972