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List of ethnic slurs

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A slur can be anything from an insinuation or critical remark to an insult. The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical or disrespectful), pejorative (disapproving or contemptuous), or downright insulting manner in the English-speaking world. For the purposes of this list, a slur is a term or word[s] used to insult on the basis of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Each term is listed followed by its country or region of usage, a definition, and (where applicable) a reference to that term.

Quite a few ethnic slurs may be produced by combining a general-purpose insult with the name of ethnicity, such as "dirty Arab", "dirty Jew", "Chinese pig", "Russian pig", etc. Other common insulting modifiers include "dog", "filthy", etc. Such terms are not included in this list.


Template:CompactTOC4

0-9

5 and 2 / 5 by 2 / 4 by 2 / 3 by 2
(England) Cockney rhyming slang for a Jew. Originated in the early 1900s.[1]

A

Abbie / Abe / Abie
a Jewish male. From the proper name Abraham. The Hebrew name for father is "Abba". Originated before the 1950s.[2]
ABCD
(Subcontinentals in U.S.) "American-Born Confused Desi" used for American-born South Asians who are confused about their cultural identity. Often used by ABCDs about other ABCDs. ABCD is the most common version of the phrase, but there are variations of it that extend all the way to the letter 'z' in at least two different versions: "American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, House in Jersey, Kids Learning Medicine, Now Owning Property, Quite Reasonable Salary, Two Uncles Visiting, White Xenophobia Yet Zestful" and "American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lotsa Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zestful"[11]
Abd
(Arabic Countries) This term, "slave" in Arabic, is used as a slur against Blacks and persons of mixed African descent. [12] [13] [14]
Abo / Abbo
(AUS) Australian Aboriginal person. Originally, this was simply an informal term for "Aborigine", and was in fact used by Aboriginal people themselves until it started to be considered offensive in 1950s. In remoter areas, Aboriginal people still often refer to themselves (quite neutrally) as "Blackfellas" (and whites as "Whitefellas"). From the 1870s until the 1920s, the word Ab was used instead.[citation needed] Although "Abo" is still considered quite offensive by many, the pejorative "boong" is now more commonly used when the intent is to deliberately offend , as that word's status as an insult is unequivocal.[3]
Adolf / 'Dolf
(U.S. & Commonwealth) Germans, referring to Adolf Hitler.[15]
Africoon
(North America) a Black person.[16]
Afro-Saxon
(North America) A young white male devotee of African-American pop culture.[4]
Ahab
(U.S.) an Arab, from the novelty song "Ahab the Arab" by Ray Stevens; in the Bible, Ahab was the sinful king of Samaria married to the equally wicked Jezebel.[17]
Alabama Blue Gums
(U.S.) a black person.[18][19][20]
Albino
(U.S. Blacks) whites, also a derogatory term for light skinned blacks used by darker skinned blacks.[21]
Alligator bait
(U.S.) also "Gator Bait." A black person, especially a black child. More commonly used in states where alligators are found — particularly Florida. First used in the early 1900s, although some hypothesize the term originated in the late 1800s.[5]
Alter kacker / alter kocker (Yiddish) / alter kucker / A.K.
(North America) a disparaging term for elderly Jewish people. Although the word is of Yiddish origin (literally meaning old shitter), it has been adopted by non-Jews as a slur against Jews. First used in the early 1900s.[6]
Angie
(Quebec) Anglophones in Canada.[22]
Anglo
(U.S.) Any white (northern-western European) person, regardless of whether he or she has English ancestry. This term is most often used by Hispanics and Italians and often is not meant to be offensive.[7]
Anglo-pilferer
An Anglo-Australian possibly of convict lineage. Based on the belief that all Anglo-Australians are descended from convicts. Particularly offensive.[8]
Ann
A white woman to a black person — or a black woman who acts too much like a white one. While Miss Ann, also just plain Ann, is a derisive reference to the white woman, by extension it is applied to any black woman who puts on airs and tries to act like Miss Ann.[9]
Antique Farm Equipment/Outdated Farm Machinery
(U.S) a Black person; slaves were mostly used for farming.[23][24]
Ape
(U.S.) a black person.[10]
Apple
(North America) An American Indian (Native American) who is "red on the outside, white on the inside." Used primarily by other American Indians to indicate someone who has lost touch with their cultural identity. First used in the 1980s.[11]
As dry as a pommy's towel
(Australia) very dry. Pommy=Englishman. Possibly from the perception that Englishmen do not bathe very often, or more likely from the popular belief that Englishmen don't sweat.[12]
Aunt Jemima / Aunt Jane / Aunt Mary / Aunt Sally / Aunt Thomasina
(U.S. Blacks) a black woman who "kisses up" to whites, a "sellout", female counterpart of Uncle Tom.[13]
Aussie Wuzzie
(Australia) a black person native to New Guinea.[14]

B

Beaner
(U.S.) term widely regarded as derogatory, that refers to people of Mexican descent or, more broadly, Latinos.[15][16][17] The term originates from the prevalence of frijoles pintos and other beans in Mexican food.[17][18]
According to The Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the word was first seen in print in 1965, although the term has reportedly been in use at least since the 1940s (perhaps having evolved from previous slurs such as "bean-eater" and "bean-bandit" that were in use since as far back as the 1910s.) [15]
Although the word is generally considered pejorative, its usage is not always overtly offensive and can be fairly benign depending on the context (similar to the term "frog" for a French person.) Though perhaps once considered strictly offensive, it appears that the term may be going through a phase of melioration, where the negative connotation of an ethnic slur is "reclaimed" by those it is directed against and used in a neutral or even positive manner. [15]
Boche; bosche; bosch
(France; U.S.; UK) a German [from either French caboche head, or Alboche, modification of Allemand German].[19]
Bog Irish
a person of common or low class Irish ancestry.[20][21]
Bohunk
A person of east-central European descent. Was commonly used toward Ukrainian immigrants during the early 20th century.[22]
Boong / boang
(Aus) Australian aboriginal.[23] Related to the Australian English slang word bung, meaning "dead", "infected", "dysfunctional". Highly offensive. [First used in the 1920s]
Boonga / boong / bunga / boonie
(New Zealand) a Pacific Islander [alteration of boong].[24]
Brit
a. (Northern Ireland) Derogatory term used by Irish nationalists to denote people from the island of Great Britain, in Northern Ireland, particularly members of the British Army.[25] b. (U.S.) A term for people from the United Kingdom in general. Also used to refer to British Armed forces. Not really considered derogatory.
Brown Sahib
a term - often used in a disparaging tone - to refer to natives of the Indian Subcontinent who have been heavily influenced by Western (usually British) culture and thinking.
Brownie
(U.S.) a. a person of mixed white and black ancestry; a mulatto. b. (U.S. black) a young, brown-skinned person 1940s-1950s[26]
Buffie
a. black person.[27]
b. (U.S. black) a young, brown-skinned person 1940s-1950s[28]
Bun mui
(Hong Kong) Filipino domestic helper in Hong Kong. Chinese employers call their maids Bun Mui. “Bun” is from Philippines and “Mui” means a lowly servant or girl. It is applied to all Filipinos regardless of age or social status. The term is offensive.

C

Camel Jockey
a person of Middle-Eastern descent.[29]
Canuck
(U.S. & CAN) a Canadian national. (Rarely offensive, and considered by Canadians to be somewhat obsolete — compare "Yankee") The Vancouver NHL team is even called the "Vancouver Canucks". When pronounced Can-OOK it is somewhat more derisive, although in a comical sense. The original meaning, like "Canadian", meant French Canadians only.
CBCD
(Subcontinentals in Canada) - Canadian-Born Confused Desi - Similar to ABCD, but used for Canadian-born South Asians who are confused about their cultural identity. [25][26]
Charlie
(U.S.) a Vietnamese person (shortened from radio code for the Vietcong (V.C.): "Victor Charlie"[27]); term also used by African Americans (mainly in the 1960s and 1970s) to refer to a white person (from James Baldwin's novel Blues For Mr. Charlie).
Chee-chee
a Eurasian half-caste [probably from Hindi chi-chi fie!, literally, dirt][30]
Cheese-eating surrender monkeys
(UK, US) the French, popularised in the US by TV program The Simpsons.
Chicano
(U.S., Mexico) a person of Mexican descent born in the United States. This word is sometimes used by native Mexicans as a derogatory term to insinuate that the person born in the United States is not a true Mexican and, therefore, a "lesser" Mexican.
Chigger
(U.S.) an East Asian person who acts as if he or she is black (posing). Derived from the terms "chink" or "Chinese" and "nigger."[citation needed]
Chinaman
(Worldwide English) Chinese person, used in old American west when discrmination against Chinese was common.[31] The term generates controversy when still used in geographic places associated or resembling Chinese. Though it is still heard in the lyrics to the 70s song "Kung Fu Fighting", it tends to generates objections in modern times, especially in the US.
Ching Chong
(U.S. & Canada) Mocking the language of or a person of perceived Chinese or East Asian descent. An offensive term which has raised considerable controversy when used by celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell.[32]
Chink
(U.S. and UK) used to refer to people of perceived Chinese descent or East Asian. Contraction of Chinese/East Asians, or describes eyes as shaped as chinks. Considered extremely derogatory, although at least one US school proudly used the term as a sports mascot until the 1980s.[33]
Chinky
(US and UK) used to refer to people of perceived Chinese descent. Considered derogatory in the US, although sometimes used without offensive intent in India and UK to refer to a Chinese restaurant.[34]
Clog Wog
(AUS) a person of Dutch origin, not always offensive.[35]
Colored
(U.S.) a Black person. Now considered a slur, it was highly acceptable in the past. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, for example, continues to use its full name unapologetically.
Coloured
(South Africa) a community of mixed origin, including Khoikhoi and Asian slaves, not derogatory but the normal term for this community
(Commonwealth) a black person (while not usually intended to be offensive, the term is not regarded as acceptable by many black people).
Coconut
(New Zealand) a Pacific Islander
Coolie
(North America) unskilled Asian labor, usually Chinese (originally used in 19th-century for Chinese railroad labor). Possibly from Hindi/Telegu kuli, day laborer.[36] Chinese Coolies have a long history and Chinese are still exploited Coolies. Also racial epithet for Indo-Caribbean people, especially in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and South African Indians, where it is considered on par with "nigger".
Coon
(AUS, U.S. & U.K) a black person. Possibly from Portuguese barracoos, a building constructed to hold slaves for sale (1837).[28]
Coonass
(U.S.) a Cajun person, either from French 'conasse' (meaning 'stupid bitch') or (more likely) because they were regarded as lower than Coons (see above). Today, some Cajuns use the term among themselves as a mark of pride or an in-joke, but many consider its use by non-Cajuns derogatory.
Cowboy
(Europe) an American, often used by political cartoonists. (Not offensive to many Americans.)[37]
Cracker
(U.S.) poor Southerner, "poor white trash", first used in the 19th century.[38] By extension, white people in general. (Europe) People with blue eyes and blonde hair. (Southeast Asia) White people (usually White Americans).
Crow
a black person,[39] spec. a black woman.
Cunt-eyed
(U.S.) adjective: a person with slanted eyes [first used in the 1910s][40]
Curry-muncher
(Africa) a person of East Indian origin.[41]
Crackhead
(U.S.) a Canadian person, not to be confused with the same term that describes a crack cocaine addict. Derived from The South Park Movie where Canadian citizens had heads with cracks in them instead of mouths.

D

Dago
an Italian or person of Italian descent. Also refers to Portuguese or Spaniard.[42]
Dogan, dogun
(CAN) Irish Catholic [19th century on; origin uncertain: perhaps from Dugan, an Irish surname].[43]
Dutchman
noun. (1) [19th century on, Dutch being corrupted from the Pennsylvania German self-descriptive word Deitsch] Anyone of Germanic heritage (as with Anglo-Celtic Pennsylvanians) a Pennsylvania German; (2) (mid-1800s to 1920s) a foreigner, especially one who does not speak English well; (3) a bar keeper;[44] (4) anglophone South African whites, used for Afrikaner[45]
Darky
noun. Used as a disparaging term for a Black person.[46]

E

Eskimo
(Canada) An offensive descriptive term for the Inuit [29]. (US) The term may or may not be offensive, considering some tribes in Alaska still prefer to be called by that general name.
Eta
(Japan) Derogatory version of Burakumin. Literally meaning "lower than dirt," or "full of filth," [30] refers to members of the lowest class of the Japanese caste system, holding occupations such as butchers, leather workers, and other jobs considered to be "unclean." [31]

F

Fenian
(Northern Ireland & west of Scotland Protestants) originally the name of a political movement, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, but now a derogatory term aimed at Catholics, especially those thought to sympathise with the IRA.[47]
Flapdragon
obsolete: German; Dutchman.[48]
Flip
(United States) A derogatory term for Filipinos.[49]
Free Stater
(Northern Ireland) a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, especially to Ulster Protestants. Also used by Irish Republicans to refer to Irish people who they believe are less than patriotic.[50]
Fritz
(UK, France, Hungary ("fricc"), Poland [Fryc], Russia [фриц] ) a German [from Friedrich (Frederick)].[51]
Frog
(UK US) A French person. Comes from the French recipe for eating frogs' legs (see comparable French term Rosbif). Also used in Canada to refer to both the French and French Canadians, more specifically to people from Quebec.[52]

G

Gable
a black person.[53]
Gaijin
(Japan) a foreigner (lit. an outsider), usually a white person. The more socially acceptable term is "Gaikokujin", lit. an outlander.
Gin
(AUS) an Aboriginal woman.[54]
Ginzo
(U.S.) an Italian-American.[55]
Gog
In Wales (United Kingdom) South Walians have a great distate for Welsh people from the North. They refer to them as 'Gogs' and this name derrives soley from the Welsh word for 'North' which is 'Gogledd'.
Golliwogg
(Commonwealth) a dark-skinned person, after Florence Kate Upton's children's book character
Gook
(U.S. military slang) an Asian person, especially an enemy (e.g. Koreans or Vietnamese during the Korean and Vietnam wars). By extension, any Asian person. Probably derived from the Korean words “hanguk” and “miguk”. “Hanguk” refers to Korea[32] and “miguk” is the common word for the United States.[33] American troops misinterpreted "migook" (sounds like "me gook") as an assertion of "I am a gook". The word persisted during the Vietnam War, perhaps also because the Vietnamese people have a similar word “quốc”, meaning "country". Strangely, "gook" was also used by white soldiers in Africa to designate enemy insurgents.[56]
Goose-face
(U.S. Military slang) an african american person. Orginated in La Maddalena, Italy. The term was created so black people would not know others were talking about them.
Goy (גוי)
(Jews) a non-Jew (Gentile)[57]or someone who does not practice Judaism; The Hebrew and Yiddish word goy (plural: גוים, goyim) means "nation" or "people" (and not "cattle", as is sometimes asserted). While the word is used over 550 times in the Hebrew Bible referring to both the Israelites and non-Israelites, it can be used as an insult. When applied by Jews to other Jews in modern times, it is almost always derogatory and implies either non-compliance with Jewish law or behavior inconsistent with traditional Judaism.
Goyisher kopf
(Jews) This exclamation is said by Jews when they say or do something stupid (literally, "gentile-head").[58]
Greaseball
(US) a person of Italian descent or Hispanic descent.[59]
Gringo
(Latin American, Hispanic Americans, Portugal) a white person or foreigner. The term lends itself to derogatory or paternalistic connotations, but depending on the context it may not be meant pejoratively. In Brazil, "gringo" is applied to any foreigners (including Mexicans or Argentines) and has no negative connotations by itself[60].
Gubba
(AUS) Aboriginal (Koori) term for white people[61] - derived from Governor / Gubbanah
Guanche
(Spain and especially Canary Islands) A pejorative term for some, describing somebody as primitive as deriving from the aboriginal population of the Canary Islands (strictly speaking 'a man from Tenerife'), althougly lately used to describe a Canarian nationalist, giving it a rather positive sense, in the eyes of some users of the term.
Guinea
(U.S.) someone of Italian descent. (Derives from "Guinea Negro", was called because of the belief that Italians who had dark complexions were African)[62]
Gweilo, gwailo, or kwai lo (鬼佬)(
(used in South of Mainland China and Hong Kong) A White man. Loosely translated as "foreign devil;" more literally, might be "ghost dude/bloke/guy/etc." Gwei means "ghost." The color white is associated with ghosts in China. A lo is a regular guy (i.e. a fellow, a chap, or a bloke).[34] Once a mark of xenophobia, the word is now in general, informal use [35] but still considered derogatory.
Gyppo, gippo, gypo, gyppie, gyppy, gipp
(UK) a. A Gypsy (see below). b. (UK and Australian military) Egyptians,[63] sometimes used affectionately, but "bloody Gyppo" was a term of abuse.

H

Haole
(US, Hawaiian) A non-native, used by Hawaiians to describe whites and other non-islanders.[64]
Habashi
(Africa, Asia & South Asia) Etymologically it means an Ethiopian but used to refer to all Africans.
Hapa
(US) Of mixed Asian race. Like with the slur nigga Asians of mixed ancestry are using this word to destigmatize the term.[65] It still can be regarded as a racial slur, as being called colored.
Heeb, Hebe
(U.S.) offensive term for a Jewish person, derived from the word "Hebrew".[66][67]
Hindoo
(AUS) 19th century, Hindu. Often not offensive.[68] In Canada, this in either spelling is heavily offensive when used in reference to Canadian Sikhs. [citation needed]
Honky also spelled "honkey" or "honkie"
(1) (U.S. blacks) An offensive term for a white person. Derived from "hunkie" or "honky-tonk", or possibly from the perceived nasal quality of white speech as compared with black speech. Also used in the British Commonwealth with less derogatory implications.[69]

(2) Also used in reference to Hongkongers, mostly by people from Hong Kong.

Hoser & Hosehead
(North America) derogatory term for Canadians (sometimes used by Canadians to disparage other Canadians)
Husky
an Eskimo of Labrador and northeastern Canada or his language — sometimes taken to be offensive [probably by shortening & alteration from Eskimo] Sometimes used in conjunction with Skimo.[70]
Hun
(U.S. and U.K.) A derogatory term for Germans, especially German soldiers; popular during World War I. [71] Also an offencive term for a Protestant
Hymietown
(U.S.) A derogatory term for New York City, referencing the prevalent Jewish population there.

I

Ikey / ike iky
a Jew [from Isaac][72]
Ikey-mo / ikeymo
a Jew [from Isaac and Moses][73]
Indian giver
(North America) slur against Native Americans implying dishonesty, but rarely actually used in reference to Native Americans. "Indian giver" is a general descriptive slur meaning to give something and then want it back. Related in origin to Indian summer
Inkface
a black person.[74]

J

Jap
(U.S., UK, & AUS) a derogatory term denoting anything Japanese, especially in reference to a person of Japanese descent.
Jerry
(Commonwealth, especially during World War II) a. a German national. b. a German soldier [Probably an alteration of German].[75] Origin of Jerry can.
Jewish American Princess (JAP) (or Jewish Australian Princess)
(U.S. / Australia) Affluent/spoiled Jewish woman. Often used in the American Northeast as a descriptor for any stuck-up and spoiled teenager or young woman, regardless of religion. /Aust., spoilt Jewish adolescents (Jewish American Prince or Princess)
Jigaboo, jiggabo, jijjiboo, zigabo, jig, jigg, jiggy, jigga, jigger
(U.S. & UK) a black person (JB) with stereotypical black features (dark skin, wide nose, big lips, etc.).[76]
Jim Fish
(South Africa) a black person[77]
Jock, jocky, jockie
(UK) A Scottish person, dialect form of personal name John. Occasionally used by the English as an insult.[78]but also in respectful reference to elite Scottish, particularly Highland troops, e.g. the 9th (Scottish) Division. Same vein as the English insult for the French, as Frogs.
John Bulls
(U.S.) Englishmen, not necessarily a derisive term but can be mildly derisive
Jook-sing (Traditional Chinese
竹升; Cantonese Yale: Jūk sìng)  : a Cantonese term used to describe an Overseas Chinese person who has grown up in a Western environment.
Jungle bunny
(U.S. & UK) a black person.[79]

K

Kaffir, kaffer, kaffir, kafir, kaffre
(South Africa) a. a black person. Very offensive. Usage: Kaffir Boy was a famous autobiographical book by Mark Mathabane about his childhood in South Africa. (The South African Consul General in Lethal Weapon 2 calls Danny Glover a kaffir and Mel Gibson a 'kaffir lover'.) b. also caffer or caffre: a non-Muslim. c. a member of a people inhabiting the Hindu Kush mountains of north-east Afghanistan. Origin is from the Arab word kafir meaning 'infidel' used in the early Arab trading posts in Africa. The term is still used as a pejorative by Islamists in such a context. The term passed into modern usage through the British, who used the term to refer to the mixed groupings of people displaced by Shaka when he organized the Zulu nation. These groups (consisting of Mzilikaze, Matiwani, Mantatisi, Flingoe, Hottentot, and Xhosa peoples inhabited the region from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo river) fought the British in the Kaffir Wars 1846–1848, 1850–1852, and 1877–1878.)[80][81] See also Kaffir (Historical usage in southern Africa)
Keling
An offensive word for an Indian person in Malaysia and Singapore.
Kike or kyke
(U.S.) a Jew. From kikel, Yiddish for "circle". Immigrant Jews signed legal documents with an "O" (similar to an "X").[82]
Kraut (from Sauerkraut)
(North America & Commonwealth) Derogatory U.S. and British term for a German,[83] most specifically during World War II.

L

Limey
(US) A British person. Comes from the historical British naval practice of giving sailors limes to stave off scurvy.[84]

M

Macaca
Epithet used to describe a Negro (originally) or a person of North-African origin (more recently). Came to public attention in 2006 when U.S. Senator George Allen infamously used it to describe a person of Indian descent. [36]
Mammy or Mammy Woman
(U.S.) an unflattering term for a mature black woman - usually subservient (term popularized by Al Jolson in song and film), a pop culture example is Hattie McDaniel's character in Gone with the Wind for which she won the Academy Award
'Merkan or Merkin
(British) an American, sarcastic reference to the North American pronunciation of the word 'American'. Spelling is variable but internet use tends to use the former when being "polite" and the latter when deemed appropriate (as a merkin, a pubic wig, is something "very close to a prick").[citation needed]
Mick, Mickey, Mickey Finn
a. (Britain, Commonwealth & U.S.) an Irish person or a person of Irish descent. From the prefix "Mc"/"Mac" meaning "son of" that is commonly found in Irish surnames. b. (Australia) a Roman Catholic [19th century on, from Michael].[85] Mickey Finn, a popular date rape drug.
Mock / moch
(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1960s as an abbreviated form of mocky (qv)][86]
Mocky / moky / moxy / mockey / mockie / mocky
(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1930s][87]
Mohawk
(North America) This is a derogatory word for the Kaniengehagas or Kanienkehaka Native Americans that means "cannibal" in Algonquian. It has been adopted by Western settlers as the actual name for that nation.
Mulignane/Moulinyan/Moolie
Offensive to those of African descent. Comes from the Italian word for eggplant (correctly spelled mulignane, phonetically spelled moulinyan), which is normally a dark color.
Mongolian
(Australia) obsolete: a Chinese immigrant[88]
Mongrel
(U.S.) a person of mixed ethnic heritage.
Monkey
(UK) a black person.[89]
Mosshead
a black person.[90]
Muck
a black person (Minnesota, U.S.). Considered offensive. Used by Native Americans, especially Ojibway.
Munt
(among whites in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) a black person. Derives from muntu, the singular of Bantu[91]

N

Nez Percé
(North America) this phrase, which means "pierced nose" in French, is the name given to the Nimipu Native North Americans by French trappers, for the nose pendants some of them wore.[92]
Nig-nog
(OT) a black person.[93]
Nigger / Niger / nig / nigor / nigra / nigre (Caribbean) / nigar / niggor / niggur / nigga / niggah / niggar / nigguh/ nuh/negro/ nigga fagget (Brazil nego/ negão/ negalháda)
(U.S., UK) (1) a black person. Can also generally be used toward anyone with brown or darker skin, such as an Indian. From the word negro, which means the color black in several languages. Diminutive appellations include "Nigg", "Nigz" and "'Groid" (from "negroid"). The terms "Nigga" and "Niggaz" (plural) are frequently used between African-Americans and between whites without the negative associations of "Nigger." Use of the word is often perceived as extremely offensive if used by a non-black in any context. In recent times the female term Negress has been used satirically to refer to the recent prevalence of formulaic tokenism in US-made TV dramas. For example: "Every cop show needs one Blond woman who is not dumb, one Negress-with-issues, one quirky but lovable lab nerd and so on..."

(2) A member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons.

Nigra / negra / niggra / nigrah / nigruh
(U.S.) offensive for a black person [first used in the early 1900s][94]
Nip
(U.S.) Highly derogatory term for someone of Japanese descent (shortened version of Nipponese, from Japanese name for Japan, Nippon)[95]
Nitchie, neche, neechee, neejee, nichi, nichiwa, nidge, nitchee, nitchy
(CAN) a North American Indian [From the Algonquian word for "friend"].[96]

O

Ocker
(AUS & NZ) Uncultivated Australian.[97] Also considered authentic and unaffected.

P

Paki / Pakki
(Primarily UK and Canada, sometimes US and India) a Pakistani or other South Asian. It is usually considered offensive when used by a non-South Asian in the UK,[98]
Paddy
(Primarily UK) an Irishman.[99]
Payo
(Spain; U.S.) a non-Gypsy.[100]
Peckerwood
(U.S.) a white person (southerner). The term "Peckerwood", an inversion of "Woodpecker", is used as a pejorative term. This word was coined in the 19th century by southern blacks to describe poor whites. They considered them loud and troublesome like the bird, and often with red hair like the woodpecker's head plumes.
Pickaninny, pickaninnie
(UK & U.S.) black child, from Spanish peque niño (little boy) — in South African picannin is used.
Pikey / piky / piker
(Britain) a. Irish Traveller, b. Gypsy, c. a lower-class person. Sometimes used to refer to an Irish person [19th century on].[101]
Platano
(U.S. and Puerto Rico) — term for a person of Dominican heritage. The term comes from the Spanish word Platano which means plantain in English. The term was derived from the fact that plantains are a very popular food in the Dominican Repulic.
Pocho / pocha
(Southwest U.S., Mexico) adjective: term for a person of Mexican heritage who is partially or fully assimilated into American culture (literally, "over-ripe").[102] (See also "Chicano")
Polack
a Pole or a person of Polish origin,[103] from the Polish endonym, Polak (see Name of Poland)
Plastic Paddy
(UK & Ireland) a non-Irish person who harbours a nostalgic claim of 'Irishness' due to having Irish heritage.
Pom, Pohm, Pommy, Pommie
(AUS/NZ/SA) a British (usually English) immigrant. Some claim it derives from "Prisoner of Mother England", but it probably derives from pomegranate, rhyming slang for "immigrant,[104] jimmygrant, pommygrant". It is often used irreverently and is usually considered offensive. Many such migrants to Australia call themselves "ten pound poms", because they paid ten pounds for their passage to Australia in the 1950s. Often combined with an adjective, particularly whingeing pom, a reference to migrants who complained about their adopted country.
Powder burn
a black person.[105]

Q

Quashie
a black person.[106] From the West African name Kwazi, often given to a child born on a Sunday [107]

R

Raghead
an ethnic slur used against Arabs, Indian Sikhs and some other peoples, denigrating them for wearing traditional headdress such as turbans or keffiyehs. [108]
Redneck
Derogatory name for a (generally) white person living in rural America. Redneck refers to the sunburn on the neck (and no-where else on the body) as a result of wearing pants and a shirt while out in the sun performing various duties possibly on farm.
Redskin
(U.S. & UK) a slang term for Native Americans. The term is used by a NFL team, the Washington Redskins
Roundeye
(English speaking Asians) a white or non-Asian person.[109]
Russki, Russkie
disparaging for "Russian"[110] (actually, these are transliterations of the Russian "Русский" for "Russian")

S

Sambo
(U.S.) a derogatory term for an African American, Black, or sometimes a South Asian person.
Sand Nigger
(U.S.) A derogatory or pejorative term for any person of middle eastern descent.[111]
Sassenach
(Scotland, archaic) - is a word used chiefly by the Scots and to designate an Englishman or a Lowlands Scot. It derives from the Gaelic Sasunnach meaning, originally, "Saxon". Modern spelling: Sasannach
Sawney
(England, archaic) - A Scottish person, local variant of Sandy, short for "Alexander".[112]
Seppo
(Australian) An American. (Cockney rhyming slang: Septic tank — Yank)[113]
Skip
(AUS) a colloquial term for Australians of Northern European (ie, Anglo, Celtic, Dutch, German or Scandinavian) descent. Among people of Mediterranean decent, used as a counter to "wog", and was used to refer to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern people. [From the TV show Skippy the Bush Kangaroo].[114]
Slope, slopehead, slopy, slopey
(U.S. & Aus) a person of Asian (in Australia, especially Vietnamese; in America, especially Chinese) descent.[115]
Smoked Irish / smoked Irishman
(U.S.) 19th century term for Blacks (intended to insult both Blacks and Irish).[116]
Snowback
(U.S.) A Canadian immigrant.[117] (presumably akin to "wetback", a U.S. derogatory term for an individual, usually of Mexican or other Central/South American origin, that illegally enters the U.S across its border with Mexico by wading or swimming the Rio Grande River.)
Sooty
a black person [originated in the U.S. in the 1950s][118]
Spade
A black person.[119]
spic, spick, spik, spig, or spigotty
(U.S, U.K) a. a person of Hispanic descent, or a person of actual or presumed Puerto Rican origin whether or not of Hispanic descent. Use of the word is often perceived as extremely offensive if used by a person not of Latino descent in any context. [origin uncertain. first recorded use in 1915. Theories include (1) from "no spik English" (2) from spig, in turn from spiggoty, which could be from spaghetti as it originally was used to refer to Italians as well when coined in 1910. Common belief is that it is an abbreviation of "Hispanic", although this is probably an anachronism] b. the Spanish language.[120]
Spook
(U.S. whites) a black person (used in the movies Taxi Driver and Back to the Future;[121] its ambiguity – another meaning being "a specter" – is an essential part of the plot of Philip Roth's novel The Human Stain)
Squaw
(U.S. & CAN) Often offensive term for female Native American.[122] The equivalent derisive for a male is "a brave".

T

Taffy or Taff
(UK) a Welsh person. First used ca. 17th century. From the River Taff or the Welsh pronunciation of the name David (in Welsh, Dafydd).[123] Children's rhyme: "Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief". Generally considered offensive when used by an English person, although it has appeared in such family-friendly series as Dad's Army, where it was used as a lighthearted nickname.
Taig
(Northern Ireland) an Irish person, especially a Northern Irish Nationalist. Profoundly offensive.
Tar baby
(UK; U.S.; and N.Z.) a black child.[124] See Tar baby.
Teapot
(British) A black person. [1800s][125]
Thicklips
a black person.[126] See Shakespeare's "Othello."
Tinker / tynekere / tinkere / tynkere, -are / tynker / tenker / tinkar / tyncar / tinkard / tynkard / tincker
a. (Britain & Ireland) an inconsequential person (typically lower class); (note that in Britain, the term "Irish Tinker" may be used, giving it the same meaning as example b.)
b. (Scotland and Ireland) a Gypsy [origin unknown - possibly relating to one of the 'traditional' occupations of Gypsies as travelling 'tinkerers' or repairers of common household objects][127]
c. (Scotland) a member of the native community previously itinerant (but mainly now settled) who were reputed for their production of domestic implements from basic materials and for repair of the same items, being also known in the past as "travelling tinsmiths". The slur is possibly derived from a reputation for rowdy and alcoholic recreation. Often wrongly confused with Gypsy/Romany people.

U

Uncle Tom
(U.S. minorities) term for an African-American, Latino, or Asian who panders to white people; a "sellout" (taken from Harriet Beecher Stowe's " Uncle Tom's Cabin".)

V

W

Welcher
(UK and US) One who dishonors his obligation to pay debts or wagers.[128] Offensive because it implies that is characteristic of the Welsh people.[129][130]
West Briton / Westbrit
(Ireland) is for an Irish person who has sympathies toward Britain, or who imitates the English.[131]
Wetback
(US) Used to describe Mexican illegal immigrants, who allegedly entered the country by swimming the Rio Grande.[132]
White Nigger
(US) Used in 19th century United States to describe the Irish. Used today to demean any White person as being White trash, or an ignorant and uncouth redneck.[133]
White trash also poor white trash
(U.S.) an unrefined white person - usually poorly educated. Can also be used as a negative word for those from the South Eastern Region of the United States
Wigger
(North America) A white person who emulates mannerisms of a black person. "Wigger" is a portmanteau of "white" and "nigger".
Wog
(UK) A dark-skinned South Asian, black African, or native of India. The origin of the term is disputed, but it is often thought to be an acronym for "Wily Oriental Gentleman" (less likely "Worthy Oriental Gentleman" or "Western Oriental Gentleman"), though some etymologists reject such explanations. More likely to be a contraction of the word 'Golliwog' after a black faced character in a 19th century childeren's book by Florence Kate Upton.
(AUS) A Middle Easterner or Mediterranean-European (especially Greek or Italian) person (sometimes any foreigner). The term, still offensive, has been appropriated by second-generation Mediterranean Australians and is used humorously or with pride, as in "wog culture" and the successful comedy show Wogs Out of Work. Some Australians refer to soccer as "wogball".
Wop
(North America) A racial term for anyone of Italian descent. It is debated whether the word originated from an acronym for "With Out Papers", or derived from the Spanish word "guapo", meaning thug.[134][135]

X

Y

Yankee
(U.S.) denotes someone from the northern states; if used by someone from the southern states the term is meant to be derogatory. Yank (British Commonwealth). Originally used in the 18th century as a term of contempt and then as a general term for a native of New England. The word comes from the Dutch language, probably from Jan Kees (John Cheese, a nickname for Dutchmen).[136] A Major League Baseball team uses this term, the New York Yankees

(International outside of U.S.) a person from the United States; the term may be meant as an insult (e.g., "Yankee go home!").

Z

See also

Literature

  • John A. Simpson, Oxford Dictionary Of Modern Slang ISBN 0-19-861052-1
  • John A. Simpson, Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series ISBN 0-19-861299-0
  • Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, (2002)
  • Richard A. Spears, Slang and Euphemism, (2001)
  • Jonathon Green, The Cassell Dictionary of Slang (1998)
  • Bruce Moore (editor), The Australian Oxford Dictionary, (2004)
  • The New Oxford American Dictionary, second edition. Ed. Erin McKean. (Oxford University Press: 2005.
  • The Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. (Oxford University Press: 2004)

References

  1. ^ Richard A. Spears, Slang and Euphemism, (2001) p. 130
  2. ^ Spears, loc. cit. p. 1.
  3. ^ Bruce Moore (editor), The Australian Oxford Dictionary, (2004) p. 3.
  4. ^ Speers, loc. cit. p.4.
  5. ^ Speers, loc. cit. pg. 6.
  6. ^ Green, loc. cit. p. 19.
  7. ^ Webster.com/dictionary/anglo
  8. ^ Macquarie Dictionary (3rd ed)
  9. ^ Hugh Rawson, Wicked Words, (1989) p. 19.
  10. ^ Spears, loc. cit. p. 10.; also, Zoo Ape or Jungle Ape
  11. ^ Green, loc. cit. p. 25.
  12. ^ Spears, loc. cit. p. 12.
  13. ^ Green, loc. cit. p. 36.
  14. ^ Spears, loc. cit. p. 14.
  15. ^ a b c The Mouth of Mencia, from The Washington Post, September 28, 2005
  16. ^ San Diego's top Latino cop retires, from The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 1, 2005
  17. ^ a b Pedro deflects the barbs; Racist comments don't faze Sox ace, from The Boston Herald, September 14, 2000
  18. ^ You are what you eat ... arguably: John Sutherland On national nicknames from The Guardian (UK), July 31, 2000
  19. ^ Dictionnaire, p. 103; "boche", Webster's.
  20. ^ "Costello Slammed for 'Bog Irish' Slurs", Irish Voice, October 13, 1998
  21. ^ Benson, Marius, "A life more ordinary", Expatica
  22. ^ [http://www.bartelby.com/61/5/B0370500.html
  23. ^ Moore, op. cit. [Accessed 6 May 2006].
  24. ^ "boonga" The New Zealand Oxford Dictionary. Tony Deverson. (Oxford University Press: 2004) Oxford Reference Online.[Accessed 6 May 2006].
  25. ^ CAIN
  26. ^ Green, op. cit. p.154.
  27. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  28. ^ Green, op. cit. p.154.
  29. ^ Jordan Robertson, "California jury awards $61 million to two FedEx Ground drivers in harassment lawsuit", Associated Press, June 4, 2006
  30. ^ "chee-chee." Webster's [Accessed 12 Mar. 2006].
  31. ^ [1]Peak of Controversy "a resident of Calgary, wrote to the Minister of Community Development strongly objecting to the name Chinaman's Peak"
  32. ^ [2] Asian American advocates decry parody by TV's O'Donnell Vanessa Hua, San Francisco Chronicle, December 14, 2006
  33. ^ Simpson, "Chinky"
  34. ^ Simpson, "Chinky"
  35. ^ "clog", Moore, op. cit. [Accessed 7 May 2006].
  36. ^ http://www.wmich.edu/dialogues/themes/indianwords.htm
  37. ^ www.opinionjournal.com
  38. ^ Cash W.J. The Mind of the South (Knopf, 1941).
  39. ^ "crow." Webster's [Accessed 12 Mar. 2006].
  40. ^ Green, op. cit.
  41. ^ Fuller A. Scribbling the Cat: travels with an African soldier (Penguin Books, 2004).
  42. ^ Oxford Advanced Leaner's English-Chinese Dictionary (published in 1987), p. 292.
  43. ^ "dogan", Barber, op. cit. [Accessed 7 May 2006].
  44. ^ Green, Cassell, p. 383.
  45. ^ "Dutch", Webster's [Accessed February 15, 2006].
  46. ^ Oxford English Online Dictionary. http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dict&freesearch=darky&branch=13842570&textsearchtype=exact
  47. ^ Share, op. cit. p. 105.
  48. ^ "flapdragon." Webster's [Accessed 6 April 2006].
  49. ^ "What's in a name?" [3]
  50. ^ Simpson, "free stater", op. cit.
  51. ^ Grand Dictionnaire (Larousse: 1993) p. 397; "fritz", Webster's; Polish Language Dictionary: http://sjp.pwn.pl/haslo.php?id=2558630 .
  52. ^ Dictionary.com [4]
  53. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  54. ^ "gin", Moore, op. cit. [Accessed 7 May 2006].
  55. ^ "ginzo" The New Oxford American Dictionary, second edition. Ed. Erin McKean. (Oxford University Press: 2005.) <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html? subview=Main&entry=t183.e31685> [Accessed 6 May 2006]
  56. ^ Fuller A. Scribbling the Cat: travels with an African soldier (Penguin Books, 2004).
  57. ^ [5]
  58. ^ [6]
  59. ^ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greaseball
  60. ^ [7]
  61. ^ "gubba", Moore, op. cit. [Accessed 7 May 2006.]
  62. ^ "Guinea", op. cit. [Accessed 21 Mar. 2006].
  63. ^ Simpson, "gyppo", op. cit.
  64. ^ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/haole. Retrieved 2007-01-14. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  65. ^ Watanabe, Teresa (2006-07-16). ""Hapas" find a voice in emerging culture". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2006-12-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ^ Madresh, Marjorie (2004-05-28). "Founder of 'Hip to be Heeb' magazine speaks to students". The Triangle Online. Retrieved 2007-02-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ "Merriam-Webster Online definition of hebe". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  68. ^ Simpson, "Hindu", op. cit.
  69. ^ Fuller A. Scribbling the Cat: travels with an African soldier (Penguin books, 2004).
  70. ^ "husky", Ibid. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2006].
  71. ^ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Hun
  72. ^ Simpson. "ikey", loc. cit.
  73. ^ Loc cit. "ikeymo"
  74. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  75. ^ ”Jerry,” Simpson, op. cit.
  76. ^ Simpson, "jigaboo", op. cit.
  77. ^ "Jim Fish." Ibid. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2006].
  78. ^ Blake, Aled (2005-08-26). "'If boyo is racist so is Jock". Western Mail & Echo Limited. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  79. ^ Simpson, "jungle"
  80. ^ "Kaffir", Webster's.
  81. ^ Featherstone, Donald (1993). Victorian Colonial Warfare: Africa. UK: Blandford. pp. 85–102. ISBN 0-7137-2256-8. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  82. ^ Wolarsky, Eric, "Kike", Interactive Dictionary of Racial Language, 2001.
  83. ^ http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/kraut?view=uk
  84. ^ Dictionary.com [8]
  85. ^ "Mick" The Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. (Oxford University Press: 2004) <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t23.e35140> [Accessed 6 May 2006].
  86. ^ Simpson. "mock", loc. cit.
  87. ^ Ibid. "mocky".
  88. ^ Ibid. "Mongolian".
  89. ^ The Times Online http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2239023,00.html
  90. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  91. ^ Simpson. "munt". loc. cit.
  92. ^ Loewen, James W; Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong; Page 101
  93. ^ "nig-nog" Webster's
  94. ^ Simpson. "nigra", loc. cit.
  95. ^ "nip", Webster's, Accessed 11 Mar. 2006.
  96. ^ "nitchie", Simpson, op. cit.
  97. ^ Moore, "ocker" op. cit. [Accessed 6 May 2006].
  98. ^ "pak", Webster's, Accessed 4 April 2006; Simpson. "Paki", loc. cit.
  99. ^ [9]
  100. ^ "payo", Collins, p. 739.
  101. ^ Simpson, "pikey" op. cit.
  102. ^ Ibid. p. 773.
  103. ^ Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture, Longman Group UK Limited, 1992, ISBN 0 582 23720 3
  104. ^ Moore, "pommy", op. cit. [Accessed 6 May 2006].
  105. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  106. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  107. ^ Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
  108. ^ "What do we all have in common?", The Sun Online, January 30, 2007
  109. ^ Spears, p. 295.
  110. ^ Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006, The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
  111. ^ http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=21&theType=AA
  112. ^ Simpson, "sawney", op. cit.
  113. ^ http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/trc/slang.html
  114. ^ Moore, "skip", op. cit. [Accessed 6 May 2006].
  115. ^ Moore. "slope", op. cit. [Accessed 6 May 2006]; Simpson, "slope"; "slopy", op. cit.
  116. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  117. ^ http://www.lit.org/view/10208
  118. ^ Simpson, "sooty." loc. cit.
  119. ^ American Heritage Dictionary
  120. ^ Rawson, loc. cit. p. 370.
  121. ^ IMDB – Memorable Quotes from Back to the Future (1985) [Accessed 10 May 2006].
  122. ^ [10]
  123. ^ Simpson, "taffy", op. cit.
  124. ^ Simpson, "tar", op. cit.
  125. ^ Green, loc. cit. p. 1185.
  126. ^ Spears, op. cit. p. 118.
  127. ^ Simpson, "tinker", op. cit.
  128. ^ http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Welcher&r=66
  129. ^ http://www.wordorigins.org
  130. ^ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=welch&searchmode=none
  131. ^ Share, op. cit. p. 349.
  132. ^ http://kpearson.faculty.tcnj.edu/Dictionary/wetback.htm
  133. ^ Miller, Joel (2001-03-06). "White niggards and the lingo nazis". WorldNetDaily.com. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  134. ^ Brown, Brody (2004-04-28). "The vocab lesson you never had: If you think intolerance is dead, you're dumber than a box of "Crackers"". McGillTribune. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  135. ^ Wilson, Kenneth (1993). "ETHNIC SLURS AND TERMS OF ETHNIC OPPROBRIUM, ETHNIC DESIGNATIONS". The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Columbia University Press. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  136. ^ Barnhart, R.K., ed. The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, first edition (Harper Collins, 1995).

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wood, James, ed. (1907). The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

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