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noun Uncommon

gatsby

Gatsby (noun) means In South African English, a large sandwich made from a whole loaf filled with fries, meat, and sauce. Example: “They split a chip gatsby three ways after the match.”

noun
1
In South African English, a large sandwich made from a whole loaf filled with fries, meat, and sauce.
"They split a chip gatsby three ways after the match."

How to use gatsby

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA South African fast-food sandwich, similar to a submarine sandwich but much larger and usually filled with fries.

When to use it

Regional term, mainly used in South Africa (especially Cape Town); not widely known elsewhere.

Word forms

gatsbys plural, gatsbies plural

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Fill the gap

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They split a chip _____ three ways after the match.

Etymology

Named after the title character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby", though the exact reason for the name is disputed.

· First attested 1925

Class of 1925 gatsby joined the language around 1925.
See the full Class of 1925 →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gatsby” mean?

The word “gatsby” means in South African English, a large sandwich made from a whole loaf filled with fries, meat, and sauce. In plain terms, a South African fast-food sandwich, similar to a submarine sandwich but much larger and usually filled with fries.

How do you use “gatsby” in a sentence?

Here is “gatsby” used in a sentence: “They split a chip gatsby three ways after the match.”

What part of speech is “gatsby”?

“Gatsby” is a noun.

Where does the word “gatsby” come from?

The word “gatsby” dates back to around 1925. Named after the title character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby", though the exact reason for the name is disputed.

Is “gatsby” a common word?

“Gatsby” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial