Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr.) scared; thus bangbroek n., a coward; bangbroek adj., cowardly.

1856		R.J. Mullins Diary 18 Dec. n.p.: Rode on and found the Kei very full [...] When we others [...] were safely through, we looked back and saw Mr Waters on his charger looking very ‘bang.’ [DSAE].
1891		B. Mitford Weird of Deadly Hollow – Tale of the Cape Colony 52: Baang, are you? And what the devil are you baaang of?
1913		C. Pettman Africanderisms 45: Bangbroek A coward, a poltroon.
1945		N. Devitt People and Places 142: This word ‘bang’ is from the Dutch. A bangbroek, for instance, is a coward [DSAE].
1963		L.F. Freed Crime in S. Afr. 105: When he says he ‘rooks the weed’ he means that he smokes dagga, and when he says that he is ‘bang the ore will take a jerry’, he intends to imply that he is afraid the police may find out.
1969		A. Fugard Boesman and Lena Act II: When the robot said go there at Berry’s corner I was nearly bang in my broek.
1977		G. Butler Karoo Morning 94: ‘Tell me, Knaggs, are you afraid of Butler?’ ‘Of course not.’ [...] ‘Knaggs is “bang” of Butler!’ ‘I’m not.’.
1985		B. Simon ‘Outers’ Born in the RSA (1997) 52: When I was a laaitie I wasn’t bang to do anything.
1987		L. Beake Strollers 97: Bang-broek! Hy’s ’n bang-broek! – scaredy-cat!
1990		J. Naidoo Coolie Location 112: Artee threw out the same defiance, except, this time, he added the word, bangbroek.
2001		Freedom of Expression Instit. (S.Afr.) 7 Dec. [press release] The decision of Jonathan Ball Publishers not to publish the novel on these speculative bases is nothing more or less than a ‘bangbroek’ approach to publishing.
2003		Surfrikan Sl. 🌐 Bangbroek (Scaredy pants) ‘Don’t be a bangbroek. Let’s take our 6’ 6”s and surf 20’ Dungeons wearing baggies, no leashes and a decomposing seal on our heads.’.
2005		A. Lovejoy Acid Alex 210: I asked him if he is bang.