List of ethnic slurs

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, ethnicity can be defined by 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.

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0-9

5 and 2 / 5 by 2 / 4 by 2 / 3 by 2

(UK) Cockney rhyming slang for a Jew. Originated in the early 1900s.

925

(Southern California) a term for blacks, comes from the Los Angeles Police Department code for "Suspicious Person".

A

Abbie / Abe / Abie

a Jewish male. From the proper name Abraham. The Hebrew name for father is "Abba". Originated before the 1950s.

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"^[6]

Abd

(Middle Eastern Countries) This term, literally "slave" in Arabic, is used as a slur against Blacks and persons of mixed African descent. Usage is consistent with the Arab institution of black slavery that lasted from approximately 900 to 1962. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

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. 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.

Adolf / 'Dolf

(U.S. & UK Commonwealth) Germans, referring to Adolf Hitler.^[10]

Africoon

(North America) a Black person.^[11]

Afro-Saxon

(North America) A young white male devotee of African-American pop culture.

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.^[12]

Alabama Blue Gums

(U.S.) a black person.^[13][14][15]

Albino

(U.S. Blacks) whites, also a derogatory term for light skinned blacks used by darker skinned blacks.^[16]

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.

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.

Americanadian/ Am-Can/ Can-Am/ Can in the Am/ Am in the Can/ Wannabecan/ WannabeAm

(US, CAN), one who is an American but acts Canadian, or in reverse a Canadian who acts American, or someone who is of both Canadian and American ancestry, or an American wanting to move to Canada, or a Canadian who wants to move to U.S. (Note that Americanadian isn't offensive, but Cam in the Am or Am in the Can is)

Americunt / A Merry Cunt

(UK) an American tourist.^[17][18][19]

Amo

(North America) the Amish.^[20]

Angie

(Quebec) Anglophones in Canada.^[21]

Anglo

(U.S.) Any white (northern-western European) person, regardless of whether they have English ancestry. This term is most often used by Hispanics and Italians and often not meant to be offensive.

Anglo-pilferer

An Anglo-Australian possibly of convict lineage. Based on the belief that all Anglo-Australians are descended from convicts. Particularly offensive.

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.

Antique Farm Equipment/Outdated Farm Machinery

(U.S) a Black person; slaves were mostly used for farming.^[22][23]

Ape

(U.S.) a black person.

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.

Apu

(North America) a person with roots in the South Asian subcontinent, popularized by the eponymous Kwik-E-Mart operator from The Simpsons.^[24]

A-rab

(U.S.) Alternately Ay-Rab, someone of Middle Eastern descent (pronounced /'eiræb/). The term is used in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Argie

(UK) a native of Argentina, used by the British press during the Falklands War. Coined by Britain's The Sun newspaper in 1982.

Armo

(U.S. & Australia) person of Armenian origin. {Fairly non-derogatory)^[25][26]

As dry as a pommy's towel

(Australia) very dry. Pommy=Englishman. From the perception that Englishmen do not bathe very often.

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.

Aussie Wuzzie

(Australia) a black person native to New Guinea.

B

Banana

(U.S.) derogatory term for an Asian with "white" mannerisms, e.g. "Yellow skin, white soul." Alternative slur: "Twinkie"

Beaner

(U.S.) derogatory term for a Mexican or South American.

Black Irish

(UK Commonwealth & U.S.) an Irish person with dark features. While the term is largely inoffensive, the distinction between fair and swarthy Irish people is historically baseless and fundamentally racist. Black Irish often are considered to be of poor ancestry (labourers and such, rather than aristocratic blood.) These darker features are often attributable to ancient Hamitic and Iberian ancestors present in the ancient British Isles. The Fomorians, believed to have sailed up the Atlantic seaboard from Africa and Iberia, were aboriginal Hamitic peoples.

Bloke

(Québec) an anglophone thought to be of British ancestry (including Canadians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, etc.) or perceived as identifying culturally to or having been assimilated into the English culture. In some contexts, may refer exclusively to English Québeckers. The word, borrowed from the English of British settlers, is used in Québec French and is derogatory.

Boater

(U.S.) an imigrant into the U.S.

Boche; bosche; bosch

(France; U.S.; UK) a German [from either French caboche head, or Alboche, modification of Allemand German].

Bog Irish

a person of common or low class Irish ancestry.

Bog Wog

(UK) An individual of African descent who attempts to obtain cash in exchange for personal grooming services in toilets.

Bohunk

A person of east-central European descent. Was commonly used toward Ukrainian immigrants during the early 20th century.

Bong

A person of East Indian descent. Commonly used for Bengalis from West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Boong / boang

(Aus) Australian aboriginal. Related to the (extinct) 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].

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

Buffie

a black person.

b. (U.S. black) a young, brown-skinned person 1940s-1950s

C

Camel Coon/Jockey

(UK, US) Middle Eastern Arabs.

Canuck

(U.S. & CAN) a Canadian national. (Rarely offensive, and considered by Canadians to be obsolete and silly -- 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.

Canuckistan or Soviet Canuckistan

(U.S.) Derogatory reference to Canadian socialism or the Canadian welfare state used by American political conservatives. See Soviet Canuckistan: Such a rare country, National Review, Nov. 8, 2002

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. ^[27][28]

Charlie

(U.S.) a Vietnamese person (shortened from radio code for the Vietcong (V.C.): "Victor Charlie"^[29]); 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]

Cheese-eating surrender monkeys

(UK, US) the French, known in Britain since the 1980s, and 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 not always a slur, however it 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

(US) An Asian person acting black.

Ching Chong

(U.S. & Canada) A person of perceived Chinese descent. A very offensive term, equivalent to Chink, or nigger.

Chink

(U.S.) used to refer to people of perceived Chinese descent. Describes their eye slits or chinks. Considered extremely derogatory, .

Chinky

(India and UK) used to refer to people of perceived Chinese descent. Considered derogatory, although not as derogatory as Chink, or Ching Chong. It is also often used to refer to a Chinese restaurant.

Clockhead

A person of Swiss origin.

Clog Wog

(AUS) a person of Dutch origin, not always offensive.

Coal Burner

(U.S.) A white girl who dates black men.

Cochise

(U.S.) a Native American, after Cochise, a Chiricahua Apache warrior chief who resisted white usurpation of Indian land

Coconut

(U.S./UK/AUS) a black, Filipino, South Asian or Hispanic person who is perceived to act "like a white person" (a coconut is dark on the outside but white on the inside). (NZ) a Pacific Islander, as distinct from the indigenous Maoris, who use the term themselves.

Colored

(U.S.) a Black person. Now considered a slur, it was 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
(UK Commonwealth) a black person (while not usually intended to be offensive, the term is not regarded as acceptable by many black people)

Coolie

(North America) a Chinese (originally used in 19th-century for Chinese railroad labor). 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).[30]

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, who aren't aware of the European stereotype).

Cracker

(U.S.) white people in general; (Europe) people with blue eyes and blonde hair,; (Southeast Asia) white people (usually White Americans).

Crow

a black person, spec. a black woman.

Cunt-eyed

(U.S.) adjective: a person with slanted eyes [first used in the 1910s]

D

Dago

(U.S.) someone of Italian descent (originally derived from the Spanish name Diego, it was applied to Spanish, Portuguese or Italian sailors)
(UK) a Italian or Spanish person, often greasy dago; any person from a Spanish-speaking country
Somebody from Argentina (increasingly common since Argentine economic crisis of 2001)

Darkie or darky

(U.S. and elsewhere) a derogatory term for a black person; also a racist, iconic caricature with inky-black skin, googly eyes and exaggerated red, pink or white lips; a celebrated example of its use was in a popular song of 1928 entitled "Mississippi Mud," performed by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and sung by the "Rhythm Boys," whose members included Bing Crosby and Johnny Mercer. See also Blackface.

Darkness

(N. America) An extremely dark skinned black person; gained popularity from its use on 'Chappelle's Show'.

Dogan, dogun

(CAN) Irish Catholic [19th century on; origin uncertain: perhaps from Dugan, an Irish surname].

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; (4) anglophone South African whites, used for Afrikaner

Dune Coon

(US) a person of Middle Eastern descent

E

Egg

(U.S, Canada) a white person who "acts" like an Asian (white on the outside, yellow on the inside)

F

Fanook

Italian slur used to accuse someone of being a faggot.

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.

Fjord-Nigger

Some one of Northern-European descent. A play on other term like "Sand-Nigger" and "Timber-Nigger."

Flapdragon

obsolete: German; dutchman.

Flip

(United States) A derogatory term for Filipinos.

Free Stater

(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.

Freshie/Fresh off the boat/FOB

(UK and US) It is used by second generation immigrants in UK or US and applied to foreigners (generally of the same ethnicity) who are living in the host nation as tourists, immigrants, students, or most commonly as work permit applicants, and they are culturally not as westernised as second generation immigrants. Originated for use against Asian Americans with heavy or poor English accents.

Fritz

(UK, France, Hungary ("fricc"), Russia [фриц] ) a German [from Friedrich (Frederick)].

Frog

(UK) 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.

FUBK

(United States) A person of Indian descent who acts black i.e. Fucked Up Brown Kid.

FOB

(United States) Fresh Off the Boat. An expression describing the awkwardness that some recent or not-so-recent immigrants display when they blend their native mannerisms or language nuances with American mainstream culture. Often, the expression is used by an individual of a particular ethnicity who has more completely transformed to mainstream culture to describe another individual of the same ethnicity with FOB characteristics.

G

Gaijin

(Japan) a foreigner (lit. an outsider), usually a white person. The more socially acceptable term is "Gaikokujin," lit. an outlander.

Gable

a black person.

Gin

(AUS) an Aboriginal woman.

Ginzo

(U.S.) an Italian-American.

Golliwogg

(UK Commonwealth) a dark-skinned person, after Florence Kate Upton's children's book character

Gook

(U.S. military slang) A misunderstood word thought to be derogatory by American troops in the Korean War that was derived from the words “hangook” and “migook”. “Hangook” refers to Korea^{[31] [32]} and “migook” is the common word for America.^[33] American troops misinterpreted "migook" (sounds like "me gook") as an assertion of "I am a gook". During the Vietnam War, it was mistakenly labeled to the Vietnamese people who also have a similar word “han quốc” which means country. Popularized to include any `Mongoloid' Asian after its widespread use during the War. Like chink, extremely offensive.

Goombah or Goomba

(US) an Italian American. Occasionally non-offensive.

Goreh

(India) "White man" or non-Indian, used in a derogatory manner.

Goy (גוי)

(Jews) a non-Jew (Gentile) 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. "Goj" (plural "Gojiem") is also the accepted Dutch word for a non-Jew.

Goyisher kopf

(Jews) This exclamation is said by Jews when they say or do something stupid (literally, "gentile-head"). Seems to reinforces a "positive" Jewish stereotype that all Jews are smart.

Greaseball

(US) A person of Italian descent. Occasionally used to refer to anyone of Mediterranean or Latin heritage.

Gringo

(The Americas) Non-Hispanic U.S. national. Hence Gringolandia, the United States; not always a pejorative term, unless used in an offensive manner.
(Brazil) Any foreigner.
(Northeastern United States) A tourist from Middle America.
(Most countries in Latin America) Blonde, blue-eyed or green-eyed or person with white features, not a pejorative term.
(may be from "griego", the Spanish word for "Greek")

Gubba

(AUS) Aboriginal (Koori) term for white people - derived from Governor / Gubbanah

Guinea

(U.S.) someone of Italian descent. (Derives from "Guinea Negro", which came from the popular belief that Italians were part African because of their darker skin, and/or former Moorish domination of parts of S. Italy.)

Gweilo, gwailo, or kwai lo (鬼佬)

(Hong Kong and South China) 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 was promoted by Maoists and is now in general, informal use.[35]

Gyppo, gippo, gypo, gyppie, gyppo, gyppy, gipp

(UK) a. A Gypsy (see below). b. (UK and Australian military) Egyptians, sometimes used affectionately, but "bloody Gyppo" was a term of abuse.

H

Hajji

(North America) an Iraqi, Arab, or occasionally other nonwhite, a discouraged U.S. military term; to Arabs who have made the Hajj to Mecca, the title Hajji is a compliment (See Hajj for non-offensive usage). Also associated with Hadji of Jonny Quest

Hans

(Turkey, Russia) German man, see Helga

Heeb

(U.S.) offensive term for a Jewish person, derived from the word "Hebrew".

Hindoo

(AUS) 19th century, Hindu. Often not offensive. In Canada, this in either spelling is heavily offensive when used in reference to Canadian Sikhs.

Holy Roller

(U.S.) ritualistic Protestants prone to shaking (Shakers), quaking (Quakers), rolling on the floor, suffering from fits or "speaking in tongues" (Pentecostals during worship or prayer). However this term is applied to some Evangelical Protestants, usually Baptists, who are not only vocal about their own religious views, but are critical of other Christians not meeting their standards. Similar to Bible Thumper.

Honger

Derogatory name for immigrants from Hong Kong. Also a derogatory name for a spoiled teenage brat from Hong Kong.

Honky also spelled "honkey" or "honkie"

(U.S. blacks, UK) a white person (derived from "hunkie" or from "honky-tonk", or possibly from the perceived nasal quality of white speech as compared with black speech) offensive. Also used in S.E. Asia in reference to people from Hong Kong, mostly by people from Hong Kong. Also used in reference to Croatians or people of the Hungarian empire in the early 20th century - spelled "Hunky"

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]

Hymietown

(U.S.) A derogatory term for New York City, referencing the prevalent Jewish population there. Apparently in 1984, Jesse Jackson referred to NYC by the handle Hymietown in off-the-record conversations with reporters. When he was initially called to task for this anti-Semitic remark he flatly denied having ever said it. Milton Coleman, a trailblazing African-American reporter from the Washington Post, insisted that Jackson had used the expression, and Jackson later admitted his "error".

I

Ikey / ike iky

a Jew [from Isaac]

Ikey-mo / ikeymo

a Jew [from Isaac and Moses]

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.

J

Jap

(U.S., UK, & AUS) a term denoting anything Japanese.

JAP

(U.S.) Jewish-American Princess, referring to perceived spoiled, snotty daughters of rich Jews.

Jeezoid

"Overly radical" Christian

Jerry

(UK Commonwealth, especially during WWII) a. a German national. b. a German soldier [Probably an alteration of German]. Origin of Jerry can.

Jewish American Princess (JAP)

(U.S.) 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)

Jewanese- Japanese Jew

Jewbacca

Hairy Jew

Jewbagel

(U.S.) Referring to the use of kosher bagel and egg sandwich.

Jew York City- An offensive term for New York City used, because of the large Jewish population in the city.

Jigaboo, jiggabo, jijjiboo, zigabo, jig, jigg, jiggy, jigga

(U.S. & UK) a black person (JB) with stereotypical black features (dark skin, wide nose, etc.).

Jim Crow

(US) a black person; also the name for the segregation laws prevalent in much of the United States until the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Jim Fish

(South Africa) a black person

Jock, jocky, jockie

(UK) A Scottish person, used by the English.

John Bulls

(U.S.) Englishmen, not necessarily a derisive term but can be mildly derisive

Jook-sing

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.

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 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.) See also Kaffir (Historical usage in southern Africa)

Keling

An offensive remark on 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").

Kimchi

(North America) a Korean, from the spicy pickled Korean cabbage, known for its strong odor.

Kinder Surprise

(North America) a dark-skinned person who acts like a white person. (Dark on the outside, white on the inside)

Kraut (from Sauerkraut)

(North America & British Commonwealth) U.S. and British term for a German, most specifically during World War II.

L

Latke or Latka

(U.S.) an Eastern European immigrant - from the television program "Taxi" (also a potato pancake)

Lawn jockey

(US) African American.

Leb / Lebo

(AUS) Lebanese. Considered highly offensive to the point of being a 'fighting word'.

Limey

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

Lubra

(AUS) a. Aboriginal woman, similar to "squaw" [probably from a Tasmanian Aboriginal language]. b. a woman in general.

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]

Makak

(Belgium & the Netherlands) a Moroccan; derived from macaque. Also macaca, in reference to North or Subsaharan Africans, originally used by French and Belgian colonialists.

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

Māori cannon

(New Zealand) a badly-played shot in billiards or snooker. used from the 1940s to the 1950s

Māori car

an old or broken-down vehicle. used in the 1980s. (New Zealand)

Māori day off

(New Zealand) unauthorized absence from work

Māori holiday

(New Zealand) the day after payday

Māori P.T.

(New Zealand) taking it easy and doing nothing

Mashed potatoes

(Gay Asian Americans) a white person who is exclusively attracted to whites (an emerging term by association with Sticky Rice)

Master Race

(UK Commonwealth & U.S.) a mocking term for a German or the German people (from Hitler's term for the "Aryan Race")

(Scotland, Wales) English persons possessing strong Unionist opinions and an attitude that other parts of the UK are the "property" of England.

Meatball

(U.S.) a sometimes derogatory term for someone of Italian descent. Referenced in the movie Rocky III by Hulk Hogan to Rocky Balboa.

Meeskite or Meeshkite

(North America) an unattractive Jewish woman - a Yiddish term (for example, Barbra Streisand refers to herself as a Brooklyn Meeshkite)

'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").

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]. Mickey Finn, a popular date rape drug.

Miney

(Passaic County, New Jersey) A term for Ramapough Indians, since Ramapoughs worked in the iron mines of Ringwood, NJ. It has replaced the more pejorative Jackson Whites.

Mock / moch

(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1960s as an abbreviated form of mocky (qv)]

Mocky / moky / moxy / mockey / mockie / mocky

(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1930s]

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.

Moke / moak / moke

(U.S.) a black person

Mongolian

(Australia) obsolete: a Chinese immigrant

Mongoloid

(U.S., Brazil, possible other) rare term for retarded persons or this with autism spectrum disorders. Considered extremely offensive. From the supposed "asian" eye shape. In Brazil the term is also used to make fun of someone with Autism or without (liken to retard in the U.S. except more offensive)

Mongrel

(U.S.) a person of mixed ethnic heritage.

Monkey

(UK) a black person..

Moro

(Spain) Are the Moors people.

Mosshead

a black person.

Munt

(among whites in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) a black person from muntu, the singular of Bantu

Mustard seed

(U.S.) a light-skinned person with one white and one black parent

Mutt

a person of mixed-race; mulatto</ref>

N

Napkin Nigger

Offensive term used to describe Indians

Navajo

(North America) name given to the Diné Indians by their enemies, the Tewa Pueblo Native Americans. It may mean "thieves" or "takers from the fields." It was adopted by Western settlers as the actual name of the Diné, and despite its dubious origin, many Diné today accept being called Navajo rather than insisting on Diné.

Nazi

(UK/US) A German.

Newfie

A native of the Canadian island of Newfoundland

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.

Nig-nog

(UK & U.S.) a black person.

Nigger / niger / nigor / nigra / nigre (Caribbean) / nigar / niggor / niggur / nigga / niggah / niggar / nigguh/ nuh/ (Brazil nego/ negão/ negalháda)

(U.S., UK) 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 numerous languages. Diminutive appellations include "Nigg", "Nigz" and "Groid". 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 white person 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 (1) Blond woman who is not dumb, one (1) Negress-with-issues, one (1) quirky but loveable lab nerd and so on..."

Nigger baby

(U.S. Military) obsolete: a type of large cannonball [first used in the 1870s]

Niggerhead

an isolated coral head: these are often a navigation hazard in coral reef areas. Also called a bommie.

Nigger shooter

a slingshot

Niglet (2)

(UK) Similar to the U.S. version but without the combination with piglet, refers to a baby or child "Nigger".

Nigra / negra / niggra / nigrah / nigruh

(U.S.) offensive for a black person [first used in the early 1900s]

Nip

(U.S.) someone of Japanese descent (shortened version of Nipponese, from Japanese name for Japan, Nippon)

Nitchie, neche, neechee, neejee, nichi, nichiwa, nidge, nitchee, nitchy

(CAN) a North American Indian [From the Algonquian word for "friend"].

Noggy

(Australia) An Asian, or a person of Asian origin [originated among Australian soldiers in the Korean and Vietnam wars as a name for their Asian counterparts

O

Ocker

(AUS & NZ) Uncultivated Australian.

Ofay

(U.S.) A white person

Oreo or Oreo Cookie

(U.S.) someone of black and white descent (or a black person who "acts white"; black on the outside & white on the inside; see Carlton) often used by lower class blacks against professional and educated blacks, and/or inner city blacks against suburban blacks.

Oriental

(UK Commonwealth & U.S.) an Asian person, considered offensive by Asians because they claim that objects (rugs, art, etc) are Oriental and people are Asian.

P

Paddy or Patty

a. (UK & U.S.) an Irish person (from the popular Irish name "Patrick"). In 19th-century America, police wagons were called "Paddy Wagons"; it's unclear if this was because most of the police, or most of the arrestees were Irish or "paddies". See also Plastic Paddy.

Pagan Nigga

An African follower of ancient Pagan religions; sometimes used to refer to animists.

Paki / Pakki

(Primarily UK and Canada, sometimes US and India) a Pakistani or other South Asian. It is considered offensive when used by a non-South Asian in the UK.

Paleface

(U.S.) a White person. Literal translation of the word for White people in several Native American languages, and also in several Native language-English pidgins.

Patel

(U.S.) a derogatory term for someone of Indian descent. Patel is a very common surname for Indians, like "Smith" is in America. Featured in the movie Glengarry Glen Ross

Payo

(Spain; U.S.) a non-Gypsy.

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.

Peeler

(Northern Ireland) a Catholic who informs the authorities to a crime. Originally the name given to those who inform against the I.R.A. The term is now used for anyone who talks to the Police.

Pickaninny, pickaninnie

(UK & U.S.) black child, from Spanish peque niño (little boy) — in South African picannin is used.

Pikey / piky / piker

(Britain) a. gypsy, b. a lower-class person. Sometimes used to refer to an Irish person [19th century on].

Pima

Name given to the Akimel O'odham or Ahkeemult O'odham Native Americans. It means "I don't know" in their language, which was apparently their reply when asked their name in Spanish by an early explorer. Despite its origin, many members of this tribe refer to themselves as such.

Plantain or Platano

(U.S./Latin America) Used towards Dominican immigrants, especially those of black physical features.

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"). (See also "Chicano")

Polack or Pollock

(US) A person of Polish descent. This word is derived from the Polish word "Polak" which simply means "a Pole".

Polaco

(Spain) A Catalan person. The Spanish call Polaco to born in Catalonia, this is a country inside the Kingdom of Spain.

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, jimmygrant, pommygrant". It is often used irreverently and is not 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.

Porch monkey

(U.S.) a black person. Recently popularized by the film Clerks II. (See also "Alabama porch monkey".)

Porridge Wog

(N. Ireland,London, UK military) A Scot, from their supposed diet

Powder burn

a black person.

PR

(U.S.) a Puerto Rican person.

Pretendian or Pretindian

(North America) Used primarily to describe a white American of limited (or nonexistent) Native American ancestry that claims to be racially, and culturally American Indian.

Prod, proddy, proddie, proddie-dog

(Scotland / Ireland / Liverpool) a Protestant.

Q

Quashie

a black person.

R

Raghead

(U.S.) someone of Middle Eastern descent
(UK) a Sikh, or any South Asian

Ragtop

See Raghead above.
(Canada) a Sikh, a South Asian, or Arab (and mistakenly) sometimes Persians

Red Man

(U.S.) a name used by Native Americans, but is considered racist if used by other races.

Redskin

(U.S. & UK) a slang term for Native Americans.

Rhineland Bastard

(Nazi Germany) children of mixed African and German parentage.

(UK military) a member of the RAF Regiment (with no associated ethnic meaning)

Rosbif or Rosbeef

(English: Roast Beef): (France) a British person, from the stereotypical belief that the English eat exclusively roast beef (see comparable English term Frog).

Roundeye

(English speaking Asians) a white or non-Asian person.

Russki

(Cold War era U.S.) A term referring to citizens of the Soviet Union. From the Russian word русски (pr. "rooskee"), meaning Russian (as in the language).

Russellite

one of the Jehovah's Witnesses (Charles Taze Russell died 1916 American religious leader + -ite)

S

Salvi

(U.S.) A Salvadoran born or raised in the United States.

Sambo

(U.S.) a derogatory term for an African American, Black, or sometimes a South Asian person.

Sand Nigger

(US, UK) A Middle Eastern person.

Sawney

(England, archaic) - A Scottish person, local variant of Sandy, short for "Alexander".

Septic/Seppo

(UK & AUS) A derogatory term for an American which comes from abbreviating the rhyming slang, “Septic tank” for yank.

Shit-skin

(U.S.) black person.

Skibby

(western United States) adjective: Japanese [from the slang word skibby, "Japanese prostitute," probably from Japanese sukebei "lewdness"]

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].

Slope, slopehead, slopy, slopey

(U.S. & Aus) a person of Asian (in Australia, especially Vietnamese; in America, especially Chinese) descent.

Smoked Irish / smoked Irishman

(U.S.) 19th century term for Blacks (intended to insult both Blacks and Irish).

Snowback

(U.S.) A Canadian immigrant.[37][38]

Sootie

(UK & CAN) derogatory term for a person of Afro-Caribbean or subcontinental origin. Derived in the 1860's at the time of the Welsh mining industry.

Sooty

a black person [originated in the U.S. in the 1950s]

Spaghetti Bender

(North America and UK) an Italian

Spaghetti Nigger

(North America) an Italian

Spic, spick, spik, spig, or spigotty

(U.S, U.K) a. a person of Hispanic descent. Use of the word is often perceived as extremely offensive if used by a person other than that 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. (See also Spic.)

Spook

(U.S. whites) a black person (used in the movies Taxi Driver and Back to the Future; 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.

T

Taco Bender

A Mexican

Taco Nigger

A person of Mexican descent acting black.

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). Children's rhyme: "Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief". Highly offensive when used by an Englishman.

Tar baby

(U.K.; U.S.; and N.Z.) a black child.. Note that this also has acceptable non-slur use. See Tar baby.

Teapot

(British) A black person. [1800s]

Thicklips

a black person.

Tinker / tynekere / tinkere / tynkere, -are / tynker / tenker / tinkar / tyncar / tinkard / tynkard / tincker

a. (Britain & Ireland) an inconsequential person (typically lower class);

b. (Scotland and Ireland) a Gypsy [origin unknown]

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.

Towelhead

(U.S.) anyone who wears a head turban. Derisively applied toward Middle Easterners, Muslims and Sikhs. Australia, wearers of religious headdress, particularly Sikhs.

Trog

(U.S.) extremely derogatory term for persons of Native American descent. Shortened form of troglodyte. More recently, it has also been used as a backronym meaning "Totally Reliant On Government," presumably derived from the prevalence of social assistance programs on American Indian Reservations.

Twinkie

(U.S) an Asian who acts white, e.g. yellow on the outside, white on the inside; a person of Asian and White decent.

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".)

W

WASP

(North America) White Anglo-Saxon Protestant - offensiveness questionable as many "wasps" self-identify as such (originated as shorthand term in sociology)

(Scotland, Ireland, Wales) an Englishmen as described above but also possessing an excessive and offensive attitude of superiority over others not fitting the same description

Wagon Burner

(Canada) very offensive slang for Native American people, based on an old stereotype that natives would burn white peoples wagons.

Welcher

(UK and US) One who dishonors his obligation to pay debts or wagers. Offensive because it implies that is characteristic of the Welsh people.

Wapanese

(US) Derived in the same way as Wigger, a deragatory term for a white person with an obssessive and/or misguided interest in Japanese culture (i.e; Manga, Anime, etc.) or attempts to emulate japanese people.

West Briton

(Ireland) is for an Irish person who has sympathies toward Britain, or who imitates the English.

Wetback, wetter, wab

(U.S.) an illegal Mexican immigrant (presumably having swum across the Rio Grande).

White trash also poor white trash

(U.S.) an unrefined white person - usually poorly educated

Whitey

(US, African-American) A term for white people, particularly those seen as instances of The Man.

Winjun

(Canada) A young Native American devotee of African-American pop culture, especially those who are fans of rap style and music.

Wigger

(North America) A young white male devotee of African-American pop culture (for example Tim Westwood), or a white person who grew up in a predominantly African-American neighboorhood or town.

Wog

(UK) A dark-skinned South Asian, Arab, or native of India. The origin of the term is disputed, but it is often thought to be an acronym for "Worthy Oriental Gentleman" or "Western Oriental Gentleman," though some etymologists reject such explanations.

(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".

Other non ethnic meanings are covered in the main article.

Wop

(U.S. & UK) an Italian (sometimes any Southern European), especially an immigrant; most likely originated in the U.S. but later spread to other countries. Possibly derives from the Neapolitan slang term guappo! (pretty/handsome one), often used by the first immigrants from Italy to address or call to each other. Popular etymology ascribes the orgin to 19th century American immigration officials at Ellis Island who stamped or wrote the designation W.O.P. on the entry forms of immigrants, mostly from Italy at the time, who arrived in New York "WithOut Papers" or "Without Official Papers," suggesting either illegal immigration or a hurried departure from their native land without waiting for the usually long process of obtaining "official" documents to run its course. It has also been suggested the acronym stands for "WithOut Passport." Folk etymology sometimes combines the term with "guinea" to form "Ginny Wop," with Ginny being an acronym for "Going Into New York;" hence "Going Into New York Without Official Papers".

X

X-Nook

(South) a term for people living in Quebec because the are "not official canadians" but rather french-canadian.

Y

Yankee

(International outside of U.S.) a person from America; the term may be meant as an insult (e.g., Yankee Go Home). (U.S.) denotes someone from the northern United States; if used by someone from the southern United States the term is meant to be derogatory. Yank (UK AUS NZ)

Yid

(U.K./U.S.) Highly offensive term for a Jewish person if said by a non-Jew.

Z

Zebra

(U.S.) an often self-referential or affectionate term applied those with parents of mixed race, specifically black and white. The term was further popularized by the 1992 film Zebrahead

Zip/Zipperhead

(U.S. Military) A derogatory term used in reference to people of Asian descent, specifically Korean or Vietnamese. Said to have been derived either from the pattern of jeep tracks on their corpses or the slanted eyes, shaped like zippers. [39]

See also

• Other lists
  • List of ethnic slurs by ethnicity
  • Offensive terms per nationality, groups the terms by nationality
  • List of ethnic group names used as insults
  • List of regional nicknames
  • List of common phrases based on stereotypes
  • List of political epithets
  • List of religious slurs
• Fresh off the boat, a derogatory term for people of foreign nationality, who have arrived in a host nation as tourists, immigrants, students, or most commonly, as work permit applicants.
• Food metaphors for race
• Hate speech
• Term of disparagement

External links

• Racial slur Database : RSDB
• The Racial Slur Database
• An article on the Coon caricature
• Alnwick North. A satirical collection of Alnwick-based animation and humour

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)