“Paint me black and call me Sophie” is a phrase commonly used in popular culture in South Africa. It can be interpreted as derogatory, but its use is usually in jest. The origins of this phase are unknown.
It would usually be used by a Caucasian as an expression of disgust after being assigned with a menial task usually associated with a casual labourer. Since a large percentage of casual labourers in South Africa are non-white (due to legacy and social reasons), the term “paint me black” refers to directly to this. Sophie is also a common name amongst the population but this can be substituted for another name without loosing the meaning.
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