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List of ethnic slurs

(Redirected from Racial slur)

Look up slur or epithet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The following is a list of ethnic slurs, ethnophaulisms, or ethnic epithets that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnicity or racial group or to refer to them in a derogatory, pejorative, or otherwise insulting manner.

Some of the terms listed below (such as "gringo", "yank", etc.) can be used in casual speech without any intention of causing offense. The connotation of a term and prevalence of its use as a pejorative or neutral descriptor varies over time and by geography.

For the purposes of this list, an ethnic slur is a term designed to insult others on the basis of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Each term is listed followed by its country or region of usage, a definition, and a reference to that term.

Ethnic slurs may also be produced as a racial epithet by combining a general-purpose insult with the name of ethnicity, such as "dirty Jew" or "Russian pig". Other common insulting modifiers include "dog" and "filthy"; such terms are not included in this list.

A

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Abbie, Abe, AbieUnited States, CanadaJewish menOriginated before the 1950s. From the proper name Abraham.[1]
ABCEast AsiaAmerican-born Chinese, Han or other Chinese (including Taiwanese) born and raised in the United States.The term implies an otherness or lack of connection to their Chinese identity and (usually) Chinese language; however, it has been reappropriated by many Chinese Americans and used to convey positive connotations.[2]
ABCDSouth Asians in the USAmerican-Born Confused Desi, Indian Americans or other South Asian Americans, (desi) who were born in the United States.Used chiefly by South Asian immigrants to imply confusion about cultural identity[3][4][5]
Abid/Abeed (plural)Middle East and North AfricaBlack peopleArabic for slave, associated with the Arab slave trade[6][7]
Abo/AbboAustraliaAustralian Aboriginal personOriginally, this was simply an informal term for Aborigine, and was in fact used by Aboriginal people themselves (such as in the Aboriginal-run newspaper Abo Call) until it started to be considered offensive in the 1950s. Although Abo is still considered quite offensive by many, the pejorative boong is now more commonly used when the intent is deliberately to offend, as that word's status as an insult is unequivocal.[8]
Afro engineering, African engineering or nigger riggingUnited StatesAfrican AmericansShoddy, second-rate or unconventional, makeshift workmanship. Indirectly refers to black American people as worse or lower-valued than white American people when associating anything bad with them.[9][10]
Ah ChahHong KongSouth Asian peopleFrom 阿差; Cantonese Yale: achā; from "acchā" meaning "good" or "OK" in Hindi.[11]
Ali BabaUnited StatesIraqi peopleAn Iraqi suspected of criminal activity.[12]
Alligator bait, 'gator baitUnited States (chiefly southern U.S.)Black people, especially black childrenDates from early 20th century or before; implies that African Americans are good for nothing except being used to bait alligators[13][14]
Alpine SerbSerbo-Croatian: Alpski Srbin (ex-Yugoslavia)People of Slovenian origin.[15]
AmaLawu, AmaQheyaSouth AfricaKhoisans and Cape Coloureds or ColouredsXhosa words for Hottentot[16]
Ang moMalaysia, SingaporeEuropean people, especially the DutchHokkien for "red hair" referring to Dutch people from the 17th century and expanded to encompass other Europeans by the 19th century. It has become a neutral term, though is sometimes seen as derogatory.[17]
AnnUnited States, CanadaWhite women, "white-acting" black womenWhile Miss Ann, also just plain Ann, is a derisive reference to white women, it is also applied to any black woman who is deemed to be acting as though she is white.[18][19]
Annamite, mitesFrench, EnglishVietnamese people[20][21][22]
ApeUnited StatesBlack peopleReferring to outdated theories ascribing cultural differences between racial groups as being linked to their evolutionary distance from chimpanzees, with which humans share common ancestry.[23][24]
AppleUnited States, CanadaNative AmericansFirst used in the 1970s. Someone who is "red on the outside, white on the inside". Used primarily by other Native Americans to indicate someone who has lost touch with their cultural identity.[25]
Arabush / Aravush (ערבוש)IsraelArabsArabs, derived from Hebrew "Aravi" (Arab).[26]
Argie/Argies (plural)United KingdomArgentine peopleExtensively used by the British soldiers during the Falklands War in 1982.[27]
ArmoUnited StatesArmenian/Armenian AmericanEspecially used in Southern California.[28][29]
Asing, AsengIndonesiaNon-Indonesian people, especially Chinese peopleInsult to non-Indonesian citizen, from "[orang] asing" (foreigner) that rhymed with "Aseng" (Chinese name). This word is often directed at Chinese people due to Indonesia's relationship with the PRC.[30]
Ashke-Nazi (אשכנאצי)IsraelAshkenazi JewsPronounced like "AshkeNatzi". Used mostly by Mizrachi Jews.[31][32][33]
Aunt Jemima/Aunt Jane/Aunt Mary/Aunt SallyUnited StatesBlack womenA black woman who "kisses up" to whites, a "sellout", female counterpart of Uncle Tom.[34]

B

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
BachichaChileItalian peoplePossibly derived from the Italian word Baciccia, a nickname for Giambattista.[35]
BaianoBrazilNortheastern Brazilian peopleA person born in Bahia, one of the 9 states in the Northeast Region of Brazil. As a slur, it refers generically to any Northeastern person. Used mainly in São Paulo, the term is related to the Northeastern immigration of the second half of the 20th century.[36]
BamboulaFranceBlack people[37]
BanaanSurinameBlack people, people of African descentDutch: Banana. A slur that is used to refer to black people, people of African heritage. It derives from the colour of a banana's skin, which is yellow or brown, and is therefore seen as an offensive way to describe black and coloured people's skin colour.[38]
BalijaTurkey, the BalkansBosnian peopleAn ethnic Bosniak or a member of the Bosnian diaspora.[39][40]
BananaUnited States, CanadaEast or Southeast Asian people"Yellow on the outside, white on the inside". Used primarily by East or Southeast Asians for other East- or Southeast Asians or Asian Americans who are perceived as assimilated into mainstream American culture. Similar to Apple.[41][42]
BanderitePolandUkrainiansThe term Banderite was originally used to refer to the ultra-nationalist wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, in reference to its leader Stepan Bandera. In Poland, the term "banderowiec" is used in connection with the massacres of Poles in Volhynia by the UPA. The term became a crucial element of Soviet propaganda and was used as a pejorative description of Ukrainian nationalists, or sometimes western Ukrainians or Ukrainian-speakers. Today the term is used in Russian propaganda to associate Ukrainian identity with Nazism.[43][44][45][46][47][48]
BarbarianGreeceNon-Greek peopleSomeone who is perceived to be either uncivilized or primitive. βάρβαρος (barbaros pl. βάρβαροι barbaroi). In Ancient Greece, the Greeks used the term towards those who did not speak Greek and follow classical Greek customs.[49]
Beaner / BeaneyUnited StatesHispanic or Latino people, especially MexicansThe term originates from the use of frijoles pintos and other beans that can be generally found in Mexican food or other Hispanic and Latino foods.[50][51][52]
BimboGermanAfricans, people with very dark skin in generalThe origin of this term is disputed, but experts suggest that it either derives from the Central African town of Bimbo, or from the former state of Bimbia, which was annexed by the German colony of Kamerun.[53]
Black buck, black brute, brown buck or brown bruteUnited StatesBlack menOriginating in the post-Reconstruction United States, it was used to describe black men who absolutely refused to bend to the law of white authority and were seen as irredeemably violent, rude, and lecherous.[54]
BluegumUnited StatesAfrican AmericansAn African American perceived as being lazy and unwilling to work.[55]
Boche / bosche / boschFrance; United States; United KingdomGerman peopleShortened from the French term caboche dure, meaning "hard head" or "stubborn" with the influence of German surname Bosch.[56]
BoeotianAtheniansBoeotian Greek peopleReferring to the supposed stupidity of the inhabitants of the neighboring Boeotia region of Greece.[57]
Boerehater / Boer-hater / Boer haterSouth Africa; United KingdomBritish peopleRefers to a person who hates, prejudices, or criticizes the Boers, or Afrikaners – historically applied to British people who held anti-Boers sentiments.[58][59][60]
Bog / Bogtrotter / Bog-trotterUnited Kingdom, Ireland, United StatesIrish peopleA person of common or low-class Irish ancestry.[61][62]
BogateChileYugoslav peopleThe expression is said to come from the Yugoslav interjection Hasti boga![63]
BohunkUnited States, CanadaBohemian peopleA lower-class immigrant of Central, Eastern, or Southeastern European descent. Originally referred to those of Bohemian (now Czech Republic) descent. It was commonly used toward Central European immigrants during the early 20th century. Probably from Bohemian + a distortion of Hungarian. See also hunky.[64]
BongIndiaBengali people[65]
Boong / bong / bungAustraliaAboriginal Australians[First used in 1847 by JD Lang, Cooksland, 430]. Boong, pronounced with ʊ (like the vowel in bull), is related to the Australian English slang word bung, meaning "dead", "infected", or "dysfunctional". From bung, to go bung "Originally to die, then to break down, go bankrupt, cease to function [Ab. bong dead]". The 1988 edition of the Australian National Dictionary gives its origin in the Wemba word for "man" or "human being". However, Frederick Ludowyk of the Australian National Dictionary Centre wrote in 2004 that bong meaning "dead" is not a Wiradjuri word, but may have been picked up or assumed from the word "bung" which was originally a Yagara word which was used in the pidgin widely spoken across Australia in colonial times.[66][67][68][69][70]
Boonga / boong / bunga / boonieNew ZealandPacific IslandersLikely derived from the similar Australian slur[71][72]
BootlipUnited StatesAfrican American people[73]
BougnouleFranceArabian people[74]
Bounty barUnited KingdomBlack peopleA black person who is considered to be behaving like a white person (i.e. dark on the outside, white on the inside).[75]
BozgorRomaniaHungarian peopleUsed especially on ones born in Romania. Possibly derived from the Moldavian Csángó dialect pronunciation of bocskor meaning Opanak, a type of rustic footwear.[76]
BrownieUnited States, New Zealand, and AustraliaBrown-skinned people, an AsianUsed in the 1850s–1960s; in Australia it was used for an Aboriginal Australian or someone Japanese; in New Zealand, a Māori[77]
BuckwheatUnited StatesBlack peopleThe name of a black character that appeared in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films. Today it is used to refer to the curly hair of a black person.[78][79]
BuddhaheadUnited StatesAsian peopleAlso used by mainland Japanese Americans to refer to Hawaiian Japanese Americans since World War II.[80][81]
Buckra, BakraUnited States, West IndiesWhite people from Sub-Saharan African languages[82]
BulbashRussia, UkraineBelarusiansDerived from Belarusian word "bulba" (potatoes), based on the fact that potatoes are a very common ingredient in Belarusian cuisine.[83][84]
BuleIndonesiaWhite people or foreignerDerived from an archaic Indonesian word for albino.[85]
BumbayPhilippinesPeople from IndiaFrom Bombay[86]
Burrhead / Burr-head / Burr headUnited StatesBlack peopleReferencing Afro-textured hair.[87]
Bushy (s.) / Bushies, Amadushie (p.)South AfricaKhoisansHistorically used against the Khoisan people in Southern Africa, referring to their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on the bush for survival.[88]

C

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Cabbage EaterGerman and Russian people[89][90]
CanacaChileChinese and Japanese peopleCanaca is a slur originating in Oceania.[63]
Camel jockey / camel dung-shovelerMiddle Eastern people[91][92][93]
CarcamanoBrazilItalian peopleUsed during the early 20th century, during the Second wave of Italian immigration to Brazil.[94]
ChankoroJapanChinese peopleJapanese: チャンコロ, a Japanese reference to a Chinese person.[95]
CharlieUnited StatesWhite AmericansUsed in the 1960s–1970s. White people as a reified collective oppressor group, similar to The Man or The System.[96]
United StatesVietnamese peopleVietnam War Slang term used by American troops as a shorthand term for Vietnamese guerrillas, derived from the verbal shorthand for "Victor Charlie", the NATO phonetic alphabet for VC, the abbreviation for Viet Cong. The (regular) North Vietnamese Army was referred to as "Mr. Charles".[97][98][99]
China SwedeUnited StatesFinnsDerogatory term for Finnish immigrants to the United States, particularly in Minnesota and Michigan.[100][101]
Chee-chee, Chi-chiSouth AsiaEurasian Mixed-race people, especially Anglo-IndiansProbably derived from Hindi chi-chi fie!, literally, dirt.[102]
Cheese-eating surrender monkeysUnited StatesFrench peopleThe term originated with a 1995 episode of The Simpsons.[103]
Chefur (čefur)SloveniaNon-Slovenian people of former Yugoslavia (Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, Macedonians)[104]
Tsekwa / ChekwaPhilippinesChinese Filipino peopleUsed in Filipino/Tagalog and other Philippine languages, which derived it from the late 19th century Cebuano Bisaya street children's limerick, Cebuano: Intsik, wákang, káun, kalibang!, lit. 'Chinese (laborer), I work, eat, and shit!', where "Intsik"/"Insik" is derived from the Philippine Hokkien term, Chinese: 𪜶 叔; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: in chek; lit. 'his/her/their uncle', while "wakang"/"gwakang" is derived from the Philippine Hokkien term, Chinese: 我 工; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: góa kang; lit. 'I work', while "kaon"/"kaun" is from the Cebuano Bisaya term, Cebuano: kaon, lit. 'to eat', while "kalibang" is from the Cebuano Bisaya term, Cebuano: kalibang, lit. 'to defecate'.[105][106]
ChernozhopyRussiaIndigenous people from the Caucasus, e.g. from Chechnya or Azerbaijan.черножопый, or chornaya zhopa, meaning "black-arse" in Russian.[107][108][109]
ChiloteArgentinaChilean people[110]
ChinamanUnited States, CanadaChinese peopleA calque of the Chinese 中國人. It was used in the gold rush and railway-construction eras in western United States when discrimination against the Chinese was common.[111]
Ching chongUnited States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, PhilippinesChinese peopleMocking the language of or a person of perceived Chinese descent.[112]
ChinkUnited States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, India, PhilippinesChinese people[113]
ChinkyMainland IndiaNortheast Indian peopleThe sound "chin" refers to China. The slur refers to the shared facial features of Northeast Indians and ethnically Chinese peoples.[114][115]
ChonkyAsian peopleRefers to a person of Asian heritage with "white attributes", in either personality or appearance.[116]
Christ-killerJewish peopleAn allusion to Jewish deicide.[117][118]
Choc-iceBlack peopleA person who is figuratively "black on the outside, white on the inside".[119][120]
CholoLatin America, Southwestern United StatesIndigenous or Mestizo peopleIt may be derogatory depending on circumstances.[121][122][123][124]
ChileBolivian people, Peruvian people[63][125]
Chon/Baka-ChonJapanKorean people[126]
ChowAustraliaChinese peopleUsed as early as 1864, rare now[127][128]
Chuchmek (Russian: чучмек) / Chechmek (Russian: чечмек)Russia / Russian-speaking regionsMiddle / Central Asian people (in rare instances people from the Caucasus), in a broader sense Non-Russians, Non-European-looking peopleFrom Chichimec - a derogatory term used by the Aztecs and other Central American Indians to describe the Chichimecs as "uncivilized, aggressive savages", similar to how the ancient Romans called Germanic tribes "barbarians". This name, with its derogatory meaning, was later adopted and brought to Europe by Spanish conquerors.[129][130]
ChugCanadaCanadian aboriginal peopleSee Chugach for the native people.[131]
ChukhnaRussiaFinnic people[132][133]
Churka (Russian: чурка)RussiaWestern and Central Asians1. Chock of wood[134]
2. Ignorant person[134]		[108]
Ciapaty, ciapakPolandMiddle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Caucasian people.Derived from chapati.[135][136]
CigányformaHungaryPersons with the combination of black hair with brown eyes, regardless of ethnicityUsed in 17th century Hungary; literal meaning is "gypsy form"[137]
Cigány népekHungaryEthnic groups or nations where the combination of black hair with brown eyes is dominantUsed in 17th century Hungary; literal meaning is "gypsy folks"[138]
CioarăRomaniaRomani people and Black peopleMeans crow[139]
Cina / CokinIndonesiaChinese peopleUse in media has been banned since 2014 under Keppres (Keputusan Presiden, lit. Presidential Decree) No. 12 of 2014, replaced by Tiongkok (from Zhongguo 中国) or Tionghoa (from Zhonghua 中华). The Keppres even bans use of "China" in media and formal use.[140][141]
CoconutUnited States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, AustraliaHispanics/Latinos, South/Southeast AsiansNamed after the coconut, in the American sense, it derives from the fact that a coconut is brown on the outside and white on the inside. A person of Hispanic/Latino or South/Southeast Asian descent who is seen as being assimilated into white American culture.[41][142][42]
South AsiansA brown person of South Asian descent is perceived as fully assimilated into Western culture.[143][144][145]
Pacific Islander[146]
CoñoChileSpanish peopleUsed in to refer to Spanish people given the perception that they recurrently use the vulgar interjection coño (lit. "cunt").[35]
CoolieUnited States, CanadaAsian people, usually Chinese, and Indo-Caribbean peopleUnskilled Asian laborer (originally used in the 19th century for Chinese railroad laborers). Possibly from Mandarin "苦力" ku li or Hindi kuli, "day laborer." Also racial epithet for Indo-Caribbean people, especially in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and South African Indians.[147][148]
CoonUnited States, CommonwealthBlack peopleSlur popularized by Coon songs played at Minstrel show. Originally associated in the 1830s with the U.S. Whig Party who used a raccoon as their emblem. The Whigs were more tolerant towards blacks than other main parties. After the party folded the term "coon" evolved from political slang into a racial slur. Within African American communities, the word has been used to refer to a black person who is allegedly a "sellout".[149][150][151][152][153][154]
AustraliaAboriginal Australian[155]
New ZealandPacific Islander[155]
Coonass, Coon-assUnited StatesCajun peopleNot to be confused with the French connasse, meaning cunt.[156]
CoreanoChileChinese and Japanese people[63]
Cotton pickerUnited StatesIndividuals of African descent, including African-Americans and Cape Coloureds or ColouredsHistorically referred to someone who harvested cotton by hand, often used in the context of American slavery when enslaved black people were forced to pick cotton on plantations. The phrase originally referred to the actual occupation of picking cotton on plantations in the American South, but that it later became a racial slur used to denigrate people of African descent, including African-Americans and Cape Coloureds or Coloureds.[157][158][159]
CrackerUnited StatesWhite people, especially poor Appalachian and Southern peopleEntered general use in the United States as a pejorative for white people, though may be used neutrally or positively in context. Can specifically refer to white settlers, as with Florida or Georgia crackers.[160][161]
CrowUnited StatesBlack people.[162]
Crucco (m.), crucca (f.)ItalyGerman peopleThe name was firstly given during the First World War to the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Army of Croatian and Slovenian ethnicity. Later the term was used to indicate the Germans.[163]
CulchieIrelandRural Irish peopleApplied by townspeople or city folk as a condescending or pejorative reference to people from rural areas.[164][165]
CurepíParaguayArgentinesA common term used by people from Paraguay for people from Argentina, it means "pig's skin".[166][167]
Curry-muncherAustralia, Africa, New Zealand, United States, CanadaSouth Asian People[168]
Cushi, Kushi (כושי)IsraelDark-skinned peopleTerm originated from Kushite, referring to an individual from the Ancient Kingdom of Kush. This was also mentioned in the Hebrew Bible generally used to refer to people usually of African descent. Originally merely descriptive, in present-day Israel it increasingly assumed a pejorative connotation and is regarded as insulting by Ethiopian Israelis; and by non-Jewish, Sub-Saharan African migrant workers and asylum seekers in Israel.[169]
Czarnuch (m.), czarnucha (f.)PolandBlack people[170]

D

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Dago, DegoUnited States, CommonwealthItalians, Spaniards, Greeks, Portuguese or Maltese people; in the United States, primarily used for Italians and people of Italian descentPossibly derived from the Spanish name "Diego"[171][172][173][174]
Dal KhorPakistanIndians and Pakistanis (specifically Punjabis)The term literally translates to "dal eater", connoting the supposedly higher emphasis on pulses and vegetables in the diet of countryside Punjabis.[175]
Dalle, Batak DalleIndonesiaBatak peopleDalle is a pejorative which means "Batak people who can't speak Batak" or "Batak people who don't (want to) know about Batak culture"[176][177][178]
darky / darkey / darkieWorldwideBlack peopleAccording to lexicographer Richard A. Spears, the word "darkie" used to be considered mild and polite, before it took on a derogatory and provocative meaning.[179][180]
DhotiNepalIndian or Madheshi peopleAs reference to their indigenous clothing Dhoti worn by people of Indian subcontinent.[181]
DinkUnited StatesSoutheast Asian, particularly Vietnamese people.Origin: 1965–70, Americanism. Also used as a disparaging term for a North Vietnamese soldier or guerrilla in the Vietnam War. (Note: If rendered in ALL CAPS, then DINK may be the benign lifestyle acronym for dual-income, no kids [a couple with two incomes and no child-raising expenses])[182]
Dogan, dogunCanadaIrish Catholics19th century on; origin uncertain: perhaps from Dugan, an Irish surname.[183]
Dothead, DotUnited StatesHindu womenIn reference to the bindi.[184][185]
Dune coonUnited StatesArabian peopleequivalent of sand nigger (below).[186][187]

E

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Eight ball, 8ballBlack peopleReferring to the black ball in pool. Slang, usually used disparagingly.[188]
EngelsmanSouth AfricaWhite South Africans of British descent whose first language is EnglishAfrikaans: Englishman. A derogatory term used to refer to white South Africans of British descent whose first language is English. This is due to historical and cultural tensions between English-speaking and Afrikaans-speaking white South Africans, which were fueled by British colonialism and apartheid policies. Some Afrikaans-speaking people view the English-speaking minority as elitist and condescending, and the use of the term "Engelsman" reflects these attitudes.[189]
EyetieUnited States, United KingdomItalian peopleOriginated through the mispronunciation of "Italian" as "Eye-talian". Slang usually used disparagingly (especially during World War II).[190][191][192]

F

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Fankui, fan-kui, fangui, gui-zi, guizi, guiChiefly Southeast AsiaNon-Chinese native people of Southeast AsiaThese words (and any variations of it) are extremely derogatory, since it means anyone other than Chinese have terrible attitude and uncivilised idiots. (Gui or Guizi itself means demon)[193][194][195][196]
Farang khi nokThailandPoor white peopleIs slang commonly used as an insult to a person of white race, equivalent to white trash, as khi means feces and nok means bird, referring to the white color of bird-droppings.[197]
FenianNorthern Ireland, ScotlandIrish CatholicsDerived from the Fenian Brotherhood.[198]
Festival children (Russian: Дети фестиваля)USSR (from late 1950s)Children of mixed ancestry, usually with a father who is black or (more rarely) other non-European originsIt is believed that the first noticeable appearance of black and or mixed ancestry children appeared after the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students of 1957. The term was often used ironically and sometimes in a mildly derogatory fashion.

This term is currently not used.

[199][200]
Feuj (verlan for juif)FranceJewish people[201]
Fidschi(de)East GermanyEast or Southeast Asian people, particularly Vietnamese peopleGerman for Fiji, used to refer to anyone who looks East or Southeast Asian, particularly those of Vietnamese origin.[202]
FjellabeDenmarkNorwegian peopleMeans mountain ape. Jocularly used by Danes mostly in sports. From the 1950s. Norway is mountainous while Denmark is flat without mountains.[203]
FlipUnited StatesFilipino people[204]
FranchuteChileFrench people[35]
FrenkAshkenazi JewsSephardi and Mizrahi JewsDerived from Franks (as a reference to Western Europeans), due to the fact Sephardi Jews are Judaeo-Spanish speakers.[205]
Fritz, fricc, fryc, фриц, fricisUnited Kingdom, France, Hungary, Poland, Russia, LatviaGerman peoplefrom Friedrich (Frederick).[206][207]
Frog, Froggy, Frogeater, FroschfresserAustralia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, GermanyDutch people (formerly)
French and French Canadian people (currently)		Before the 19th century, referred to the Dutch (as they were stereotyped as being marsh-dwellers). When France became Britain's main enemy, replacing the Dutch, the epithet was transferred to them, because of the French penchant for eating frogs' legs (see comparable French term Rosbif). Also known in Slavic countries, but only towards the (mainland) French, see Polish żabojad, Ukrainian zhaboyid (жабоїд), Russian lyagushatnik (лягушатник); as well as in Basque frantximant.[208][209][210][211]
Fuzzy-WuzzyUnited KingdomHadendoa peopleTerm used to refer to the Hadendoa warriors in the 19th century, in reference to their elaborate hairstyles. Not applicable in Australia, see Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.[212]

G

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
GabachoSpain, ChileFrench peopleFrom Occitan gavach meaning "one who speaks wrong."[213][35]
MexicoAmerican people, French peopleNeutral or pejorative depending on context.[214]
GabelAlbania, KosovoRomani peopleExpression of disdain for someone, with the setting "Maxhup"[215]
GadjoNon-Romani peopleTechnically a term for a person who does not possess Romanipen, it usually refers to non-Romanis and Romanis who do not live within Romani culture.[216]
Gaijin (外人)JapanForeigners, espesically those of non-East Asian origin[217]
GallaEthiopiaOromo people or others in Ethiopia and SomaliaUsed since 1670[218][219]
Gam, GammatSouth AfricaCape Coloured or Coloured peopleIt means "a person who is low or of inferior status" in Afrikaans.[220][221]
Gans (Ганс)USSRGerman people, or more uncommonly Latvian peopleThe term originated among the Soviet troops in World War II, coming from Russified form of the German first name Hans.[222][223][224]
GaroiRomaniaRomani peopleIt means crow.[225]
Geomdung-i (검둥이)South KoreaBlack peopleKorean for coon[226]
GexhëKosovoSerbs of ŠumadijaDerogatory expression for the Serbs of southern Serbia, of Šumadija.[215]
GinAustraliaAboriginal womanMoore (2004), "gin"
Gin jockeyAustraliaWhite peopleA white person having casual sex with an Aboriginal woman.[227]
GodonFranceEnglish peopleAn antiquated pejorative expression. Possibly a corruption of "God-damn".[228][229]
GolliwogUnited States, Australia, United Kingdom, New ZealandDarkskinned people, especially African-CaribbeansAn expression which originally was a children's literature character and type of black doll but which eventually came to be used as a jibe against people with dark skin.[230]
Gook, Gook-eye, GookyUnited StatesEast and Southeast Asians, but particularly KoreansThe earliest recorded example is dated 1920. Used especially for enemy soldiers. Its use has been traced to United States Marines serving in the Philippines in the early 20th century. It gained widespread notice as a result of the Korean and Vietnam wars.[231][232][233]
GoombahUnited StatesItalian people, Italian-AmericansInitially applied to Italian or Italian-American men in general, it now also specifically carries connotations of stereotypical vulgar machismo and Italian Mafia or Italian-American Mafia involvement among ethnic Italians and Italian-Americans. However, "goombah" is also used among Italian-Americans themselves to refer to a friend or comrade; the word becomes pejorative mostly when used by a non-Italian to refer to an ethnic Italian or Italian-American in a derogatory or patronizing way rather than as a friendly term of address among Italian-Americans. Originates from the Southern Italian word cumpa or cumpari and the Standard Italian equivalent, compare, meaning "godfather".[234]
Gora (गोरा, گورا), Goro (गोरो)IndiaEuropeans and other light-skinned peopleThe word “gora” simply means a person of European descent or other light skinned person in Hindi and other Indo-Aryan languages. However, it has recently been connected to racism. "Gori" is the feminine form.[235][236][237][238]
Goy, Goyim, GoyumHebrewNon-Jewish peopleA Hebrew biblical term for "Nation" or "People". By Roman times it had also acquired the meaning of "non-Jew". In English, use may be benign, to refer to anyone who isn't Jewish, or controversial, as it can have pejorative connotations.[239][240]
Grago, Gragok (shrimp)Eurasians, Kristang peopleA term for Eurasians, and specifically for the Kristang people of Malaysia, many of whom were traditionally engaged in shrimp fishing. It often has pejorative connotations, especially when used by outsiders, though in recent generations members of the community have to some degree tried to reclaim the term.[241]
Greaseball, GreaserUnited StatesMediterranean/Southern European and Hispanic people, and especially Italian people.Greaseball often generally refers to Italians or a person of Italian descent. Meanwhile, though it may be used as a shortening of greaseball to refer to Italians, greaser has been more often applied to Hispanic Americans or Mexican Americans. However, greaseball (and to a lesser extent, greaser) can also refer to any person of Mediterranean/Southern European descent or Hispanic descent, including Greeks, Spaniards, and the Portuguese, as well as Latin Americans.[242][243] Greaser also refer to members of a 1950-1960s subculture which Italian Americans and Hispanic Americans were stereotyped to be a part of. "Greaser" in reference to the subculture has taken on a less derogatory connotation since the 1950s.[244]
GreenhornUnited States, New England region, especially Massachusetts.Portuguese peopleCan also be used in a non-derogatory context when not referring to the Portuguese to mean anyone inexperienced at something.[245]
GringoSpanish speakers, mostly Latin AmericaEnglish speakersSometimes used by Latino Americans. In Mexico, the term means an American. Likely from the Spanish word "griego", meaning Greek (similar to the English expression "It's all Greek to me").[246][247][248][249]
BrazilForeignersA colloquial neutral term for any foreigner, regardless of race, ethnicity or origin (including Portuguese people), or for a person whose native language is not Portuguese (including people whose native language is Spanish).[250][251][252][253]
Southern BrazilItalian descendantsA colloquial neutral term for Italian descendants of southern Brazil, specially in Rio Grande do Sul[254]
GroidUnited StatesBlack peopleDerived from "negroid".[255]
Gub, GubbaAustraliaWhite peopleAboriginal term for white people[256]
Guizi (鬼子)Mainland ChinaNon-ChineseBasically the same meaning as the term gweilo used in Hong Kong. More often used when referring foreigners as military enemies, such as riben guizi (日本鬼子, Japanese devils, because of Second Sino-Japanese War), meiguo guizi (美国鬼子, American devils, because of Korean War).[257][258] [citation needed]
Guido, GuidetteUnited StatesItalian AmericansDerives from the Italian given name, Guido. Guidette is the female counterpart. Used mostly in the Northeastern United States as a stereotype for working-class urban Italian Americans.[259][260]
Guinea, GinzoItalian peopleMost likely derived from "Guinea Negro", implying that Italians are dark or swarthy-skinned like the natives of Guinea. The diminutive "Ginzo" probably dates back to World War II and is derived from Australian slang picked up by United States servicemen in the Pacific Theater.[261]
GummihalsSwitzerlandGerman peopleLiterally "rubber neck"[262]
GusanoCubaCuban exiles after the revolutionLiterally "worm"[263][264][265]
Gweilo, gwailo, kwai lo (鬼佬)Southern Mainland China, Hong Kong, MacauWhite menLoosely 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). Once a mark of xenophobia, the word is now in general, informal use.[266]
GwerNorth AfricaWhite people[267]
Gyp/GipRomani peopleShortened version of "gypsy"[268]
Gyopo, Kyopo (교포)KoreaEstranged Korean peopleLiterally "sojourner". A Korean who was born or raised overseas, particularly the United States. (see also banana in this page)[269]
Gypsy, Gyppo, gippo, gypo, gyppie, gyppy, gippUnited Kingdom, AustraliaEgyptian people and Romani peopleDerived from "Egyptian", Egypt being mistakenly considered these people's origin.[270]

H

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
HairybackSouth AfricaAfrikaners[271]
Hajji, Hadji, HajiUnited States MilitaryIraqi peopleMay also be used to describe anyone from a predominantly Muslim country. Derived from the honorific Al-Hajji, the title given to a Muslim who has completed the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).[272][273][274]
Half-breedMulti-ethnic peopleMétis is a French term, also used in Canadian English, for a half-breed, and mestizo is the equivalent in Spanish, although these are not offensive per se.[275][276][citation needed]
Half-casteEngland, AustraliaMixed race (usually between Australian Aboriginal and white people in Australian parlance)Originally used as a legal and social term.[277][278]
HaoleUnited States, HawaiianNon-Hawaiian people, almost always white people.Can be used neutrally, dependent on context.[279]
Heeb, HebeUnited StatesJewish peopleDerived from the word "Hebrew."[280][281]
Heigui (黑鬼)China, TaiwanBlack peopleLiterally means "black ghost" or "black devil", used similarly to English phrases such as nigga or nigger.[282][283]
Heukhyeong (흑형)South KoreaBlack peopleKorean: Black brother. A Korean ethnic slur sometimes for black people.[284]
HevosmiesFinlandRomani peopleFrom hevos- + mies, referring to Gypsy horsemanship.[285]
HikeUnited StatesItalian immigrantsSometimes used with or to distinguish from "Hunk" ("Hunky").[286][287]
HillbillyUnited StatesAppalachian or Ozark Americans[288]
Honky, honkey, honkieUnited StatesWhite peopleDerived from an African American pronunciation of "hunky," the disparaging term for a Hungarian laborer. The first record of its use as an insulting term for a white person dates from the 1950s.[289][unreliable source?]
New ZealandEuropean New ZealandersUsed by Māori to refer to New Zealanders of European descent.[290]
HoriNew ZealandMāoriFrom the formerly common Maorified version of the English name George.[291]
Hottentot, HotnotSouth AfricaKhoisans and Cape Coloureds or ColouredsA derogatory term historically used to refer to the Khoisan people of Southern Africa and their descendants, coloureds. It originated from the Dutch settlers who arrived in the region in the 17th century.[292][293]
HoutkopSouth AfricaBlack peopleLiterally "wooden head"[294]
Huan-a, HuanaTaiwan and Southeast AsiaNon-Chinese native peopleThis word is derogatory because huan-a means "foreigner" which portrays non-Chinese natives as not human[citation needed]. In Taiwan, it carries the connotation of "aborigine". In Indonesia, it refers to non-Chinese native people descended from the many ethnolinguistic groups native to Indonesia commonly known by the term pribumi (e.g., Javanese, Sundanese, Batak, and Buginese).[295][296][297][298]
HuincaArgentina, ChileNon-Mapuche Chileans, non-Mapuche ArgentinesMapuche term dating back at least to the Conquest of Chile.[299][300]
Hujaa (хужаа)MongoliaChinese people[citation needed]
HunUnited States, United KingdomGerman people(United States, United Kingdom) Germans, especially German soldiers; popular during World War I. Derived from a speech given by Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany to the German contingent sent to China during the Boxer Rebellion in which he exhorted them to "be like Huns" (i.e., savage and ruthless) to their Chinese enemy.[301]
IrelandProtestants and British soldiersA Protestant in Northern Ireland or historically, a member of the British military in Ireland ("Britannia's huns").[302][303]
Hunky, HunkUnited StatesCentral European laborers.It originated in the coal regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where Poles and other immigrants from Central Europe (Hungarians (Magyar), Rusyns, Slovaks) came to perform hard manual labor in the mines.[304][287]
HymieUnited StatesJewish peopleDerived from the personal name Hyman (from the Hebrew name Chayyim). Jesse Jackson provoked controversy when he referred to New York City as "Hymietown" in 1984. Has also been spelled "Heimie", as a reflection of popular Jewish last names ending in -heim.[305]

I

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Ikey / ike / iky: a Jew [from Isaac]Jewish peopleDerived from the name Isaac, an important figure in Hebrew culture.[306]
Ikey-mo / ikeymoJewish peopleDerived from the names Isaac and Moses, two important figures in Hebrew culture.[307]
IndonMalaysia, SingaporeIndonesian peopleClipping of Indonesia.[308]
Indognesial / IndonesialMalaysiaIndonesian peopleWhich similar to "Indon" term mixed with "Dog" and "Sial" (Malay word for "Damn").[309]
IntsikPhilippinesChinese Filipino peopleUsed in Filipino/Tagalog and other Philippine languages. Based on the Philippine Hokkien term, Chinese: 𪜶 叔; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: in chek; lit. 'his/her/their uncle'.[105]
InyenziRwandaTutsi peopleA person of the Tutsi ethnic group in Africa. Literally means "Cockroach" and reportedly derives from how Tutsi rebels would attack at night and retreat, being hard to kill, like a cockroach. Most notably came to worldwide prominence around the time of the Rwanda genocide, as it was used by the RTLM in order to incite genocide.[310][311][312]
InjunUnited StatesNative AmericansCorruption of "Indian"[313]
ItakerGermanyItalian peopleFormerly used as a nickname for Italian soldiers and the since the 1960s as a slur for Italian immigrants.[314]

J

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
JackeenIrelandDublin peopleBelieved to be in reference to the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. By adding the Irish diminutive suffix -een meaning little to Jack thereby ¨meaning "Little Jack" and implying "little Englishmen". It was more commonly used to separate those of Anglo-Irish heritage from those of Gaelic heritage. While the term is applied to Dublin people alone; today, it was applied in the past as a pejorative term against all city dwellers and not just those in Dublin.[315][316]
JakunMalaysiaUnsophisticated people, from the Malay name of an indigenous ethnic group.[317]
Jamet, Jamet kuproyIndonesiaJavanese peopleJamet stands for Jawa metal (a metalhead Javanese), while kuproy stands for kuli proyek (construction workers).[318]
JapaBrazilJapanese peopleUsually an affectionate way of referring to Japanese people (or, more generally, East Asian people), although it may be considered a slur. This term is never censored (as a slur typically would be) when it appears in mass media.[319]
JapUnited StatesJapanese peopleMostly found use during World War II, post-WWII.[320]
Jewish womenUsually written in all capital letters as an acronym for "Jewish-American princess," a stereotype of certain Jewish American females as materialistic or pampered.[321]
Japie, yarpieWhite, rural South AfricansDerived from plaasjapie, "farm boy".[322]
JareerSomaliaSomali bantus, Bantu Africans in generalReferences the kinky hair of Bantu-speaking Africans which is less common among Somalis.[323]
JerryCommonwealthGerman people, especially soldiersProbably an alteration of "German". Origin of Jerry can. Used especially during World War I and World War II.[324]
JewboyUnited States, United KingdomJewish boysOriginally directed at young Jewish boys who sold counterfeit coins in 18th century London.[325][326]
JidanRomaniaJewish person.[327]
Jigaboo, jiggabo, jigarooni, jijjiboo, zigabo, jig, jigg, jiggerUnited StatesBlack people with stereotypical black features (e.g., dark skin, wide nose, and big lips).From a Bantu verb tshikabo, meaning "they bow the head docilely," indicating meek or servile individuals.[328][329][330]
Jim CrowUnited StatesBlack people[331]
JjangkkaeKoreaChinese people[332]
JjokbariKoreaJapanese people[333]
Jock, jocky, jockieUnited KingdomScottish peopleScots language nickname for the personal name John, cognate to the English, Jack. Occasionally used as an insult, but also in a respectful reference when discussing Scottish troops, particularly those from Highland regiments. For example, see the 9th (Scottish) Division. Same vein as the English insult for the French, as Frogs. In Ian Rankin's detective novel Tooth and Nail the protagonist – a Scottish detective loaned to the London police – suffers from prejudice by English colleagues who frequently use "Jock" and "Jockland" (Scotland) as terms of insult; the book was based on the author's own experience as a Scot living in London.[334]
Jungle bunnyUnited States, CommonwealthBlack people[335]
Jutku, jutskuFinlandJewish people[336]

K

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Kaew (แกว)Northeastern ThailandVietnamese people[337][338]
Kaffir, kaffer, kaffir, kafir, kaffre, kuffarArabian PeninsulaNon-Muslims (regardless of race).Also caffer or caffre. from Arabic kafir meaning "disbeliever".[339][340]
South AfricaBlack and Cape Coloured or Coloured people[341][342]
Members of a people inhabiting the Hindu Kush mountains of north-east Afghanistan[343]
Kaffir boetieSouth AfricaBlack and Cape Coloured sympathizers during apartheidMeaning "Kaffir brothers", it is analogous to "negro lover" in English. The term is outdated and no longer used.[citation needed]
KalarBurmeseMuslim citizens who are "black-skinned" or "undesirable aliens."[344]
KalbitRussianCentral Asians[345]
Kalia, Kalu, KalluHindiDarkskinned peopleLiterally means blackie generally used for black-skinned people in India, can also have racist overtone when referring to Africans.[346][347]
Katwa, KatweHindiMuslim malesWord used to describe Muslim males for having a circumicised penis as mentioned in the Khitan of Islam.[348][349]
KanakaAustraliaPacific Islanders[350][351]
KanakeGermanTurkish people, foreigners in generalOriginally used to refer to Native Polynesians. To some extent re-appropriated.[352]
KanoPhilippinesWhite AmericansUsually used in Filipino (Tagalog) or other Philippine languages. Shortened from the Filipino word "Amerikano". It usually refers to Americans, especially a stereotypical male white American, which may extend to western foreigners that may fit the stereotype which the speaker is not familiar with, especially those from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc.[353]
Kaouiche, KawishCanadian FrenchNative Americans[354][355]
KäskoppGermanyDutch peopleMiddle German slur that translates to "cheese head".[352]
Katsap, kacap, kacapasUkraine, Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, RussiaRussian peopleUkrainian: кацап, Lithuanian: kacapas; self-deprecating usage by Russians.[citation needed]
KebabMuslims, usually of Arabian or Turkic descent.Its origin is a Serbian music video that was recorded in 1993 during the Yugoslav Wars but the phrase has spread globally amongst far-right groups and the alt-right as a meme between 2006 and 2008. Famously Turkish internet users parodied the sentiment of Serbian nationalists online, with a satirical incoherent rant that ended with the phrase "remove kebab" being repeated. Although the meme initially intended to parody racism, this meaning behind the meme was lost once it became common in alt-right discourse.[356]
KekoTurkeyKurdish menOriginally neutral Kurdish word meaning man, pal, or friend, but became derogatory among Turkish speakers.[357]
KelingIndonesia, Malaysia, SingaporeIndian peopleIn Indonesian, the term can be applied to any person with dark complexion, not only of Indian descent, but also to native Indonesians with darker complexion and Africans. The term is derived from the ancient Indian region of Kalinga, where many immigrants to countries further east originated.[358]
Kemosabe/KemosahbeeUnited StatesNative AmericansThe term used by the fictional Native American sidekick Tonto as the "Native American" name for the Lone Ranger in the American television and radio programs The Lone Ranger.[359][360]
Kettō (毛唐)JapanWesternersLiterally means "foreigners full of body hair". Alternative form: ketōjin (毛唐人)[361]
Khach (Russian: Хач), Khachik (Russian: Хачик)RussiaPeoples of the Caucasus, particularly North Caucasus and ArmeniansFrom Armenian խաչ khach, meaning cross (cf. khachkar). Khatchik is also an Armenian given name coming from the same root.[362][363]
KharkhuwaIndiaAssamese people[citation needed]
Khokhol (Russian: Хохол)RussiaUkrainian peopleDerived from a term for a traditional Cossack-style haircut.[364]
KhựaVietnamChinese peopleVarient form of "Tàu khựa"[365]
Ikula (s.) / Amakula (p.)South AfricaA person or people Indian heritage.[366]
Kike or kykeUnited StatesAshkenazi Jewish peoplePossibly from קײַקל kikel, Yiddish for "circle". Immigrant Jews who couldn't read English often signed legal documents with an "O" (similar to an "X", to which Jews objected because "X" also symbolizes a cross).[367]
KimchiKorean people[368]
KıroTurkeyKurdish menA word used to describe rude and hairy men, pejoratively refers to the Kurds.[369]
Kitayoza китаёзаRussiaEast Asian people, especially the Chinese.Derived from "kitayets". (Cyrillic: китаец)[370][371]
KnackerIrelandIrish Travelers[372][373]
Kojaengi (코쟁이)South KoreaWesternersFrom 코 ("nose") and -쟁이 (derogatory suffix), prevalently used during the 19th and 20th centuries to refer to Caucasian foreigners[374]
KoloradUkrainePro-Russian separatists and Russian invadersIn reference to Russian St. George ribbon whose coloration resembles the stripes of the Colorado beetle.[375][376]
KrankieEnglandScottish people[377]
KrakkemutDenmarkArabs, Middle EasternsWhile originally being used against greenlanders, it is now mostly used against Middel Easterns and Arabs. The word comes from the greenlandic word "Qaqqamut" meaning "to the mountain, up the mountain", however, the danish people began to pick up the word as an aggressive slur, and used it against the greenlanders, and slowly, it became a slur against the more frequent Arab and Middle Eastern immigrants in Denmark.[378]
KrautUnited States, Canada, CommonwealthGerman peopleDerived from sauerkraut, used most specifically during World War II.[379]
Kuronbō (黒ん坊)JapanBlack peopleA derogatory that literally means "darkie" or "nigga" in Japanese. The term has been used as a racial slur against black people, particularly during Japan's colonial era.[380]
Kkamdungi (깜둥이)South KoreaBlack peopleKorean for nigga or nigger.[381]

L

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
LabusRussiaLatvian and Lithuanian peopleDerived from greetings: Latvian labrīt/labdien/labvakar and Lithuanian labas rytas/laba diena/labas vakaras, meaning "good morning/day/evening".[382][383]
LaowaiChinaForeignersLiterally means "old foreign", less derogatory nowadays.[384]
Land thiefSouth AfricaWhite South AfricansThe term implies that white people stole land from black people during the Apartheid era, and are therefore responsible for the current economic and social inequalities in the country.[366]
LappScandinaviaSámi peopleUsed mainly by Norwegians and Swedes. The word itself means "patch." Also used is "Lapland", considered non-offensive, to refer to Sámi territory known as "Sápmi" or when referring to the actual name of Finland's northernmost county.[385]
Lebo, LebAustraliaA Lebanese person, usually a Lebanese Australian.[386]
Leupe lonkoChileGerman peopleUsed by some Huilliche people of southern Chile. Means "toasted heads" in reference to the fair hair of many Germans. Originated during the German colonization of Valdivia, Osorno and Llanquihue in the mid 19th-century.[387]
LimeyUnited StatesBritish peopleComes from the historical British naval practice of giving sailors limes to stave off scurvy.[388][389]
Locust (蝗蟲)Hong KongMainland Chinese people[390]
LondoIndonesiaWhite peopleCommonly used by Javanese people. Derived from "Belanda" (Netherlands).[391]
LubraLikely derived from a Tasmanian Aboriginal language.[392]Australian Aboriginal Women[393]
LundyNorthern IrelandIrish PeopleA unionist that sympathies with Nationalists in Northern Ireland. The name emanates from Robert Lundy, a former Governor of Londonderry during the Siege of Derry in 1688, who is reviled as being a traitor to protestants and as such, an effigy of him is burned each year.[394][395]
LuganLithuanian people[396][397]
Lach/lyakh (Ukrainian: лях)Ukraine, RussiaPolish peopleLach is a term that originally referred to a representative of Slav tribes living roughly in what is today eastern Poland and western Ukraine, more commonly known today as Lendians, but later became associated with all Polish tribes. In other languages, Lach and derived expressions are neutral.[398][399]

M

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Mabuno/MahbunoZimbabweLocal European people held in contempt, commonly white Africans of European ancestry.[400]
MacacaEuropeAfrican peopleOriginally used by francophone colonists in North Africa, also used in Europe against Immigrants from Africa.[401][402]
MacaronarRomaniaItalian peopleRoughly means "macaroni eater/maker".[403]
Majus (مجوس)Arabian PeninsulaPersian peopleA term meaning Zoroastrian, Magi, fire worshipper.[citation needed]
Malakh-khor (ملخ خور)PersiaArabian peopleMeaning "locust eater," referring to the eating of locusts in Arab cuisine.[404][405][406][407][408][409]
MalauSouth AfricaKhoisans and Cape Coloureds or ColouredsA derogatory Afrikaans slang word derived from Xhosa, used to insult coloured people and Khoisans by suggesting they lack cultural and racial roots and are therefore uncivilized. Its origin can be traced back to the Xhosa word "amalawu" or "ilawu", meaning "Hottentot".[410]
MalaunBangladeshHindus"Malaun" is derived from Bengali মালাউন (maalaaun), which in turn was derived from Arabic "ملعون" (mal'un), which means "cursed" or deprived of God's mercy.[411]
Malingsia / Malingsial / MalingsialanIndonesiaMalaysian peopleUsed in Indonesia, derived from "maling" (Javanese for "thief") and "Malaysia". It often arises due to perceived instances of Malaysia claiming aspects of Indonesian culture[412]
MalonIndonesiaMalaysian peopleUsed as the reply to Indon word. Malon is (mostly) a short for "Malaysia Bloon" (dumb Malaysians).[413]
Mangal / Mango / Mangasar / MangustaBulgariaRomani peopleFrom Bulgarian "мангал" (mangal) – a type of pot. Some variants are derived from the similar-sounding loanwords "манго" (mango) – mango and "мангуста" (mangusta) – mongoose.[414][415][416]
ManneFinlandRomani menPossibly from Swedish man or from the name Herman. It refers to Romani men, however can also refer to Romani people generally.[417]
Marokaki (מרוקקי)IsraelMoroccan Jewish peopleDerived from "Maroko" (Hebrew pronunciation for "Morocco") + "Kaki" (which means "shit", "crap" in Hebrew slang).[418]
Maruta (丸太/マルタ)JapanChinese peopleOriginally a term used by Unit 731 referring to its human test subjects, Nowadays used by Netto-uyoku sometimes.[419]
Mau-MauUnited StatesBlack peoplederived from Kenyans of the Kikuyu tribe involved in the Mau Mau Rebellion in the 1950s.[420]
Mayate/MayateroBlack peopleLiterally the Spanish colloquial name of the Figeater beetle.[421]
Mayonnaise MonkeyUnited StatesWhite peopleA term commonly used by black people. A person with a "mayonnaise"-like complexion.[422]
MickIrish people[423]
MocroDutchDutch-Moroccan people[424]
Mof (singular)
Moffen (plural)		DutchGerman people[425]
Momo/MomosIndiaNortheast IndiansUsed on those that imply they are Chinese foreigners.[114]
MonkeyEuropeUsually people of African, Melanesian, or Indigenous Australian descent.A universal slur, meaning it has the same meaning in different languages.[426][24][427][428][429]
Moskal, Ukrainian: москаль, Polish: moskal, Russian: москаль, German: moskowiterUkraine, BelarusRussiansHistorically a neutral designation for a person from Muscovy, currently refers to Russians.[430]
Moon CricketUnited StatesBlack peopleThe origin is obscure. May refer to slaves singing at night as crickets chirp as dusk.[431]
Mountain TurkTurkeyKurdish peopleFormer Turkish governments denied the Kurds their own ethnicity, calling them Mountain Turks (dağ Türkleri). Germans also used this word to describe Albanians, now it refers to the earlier.[432][433]
Mulignan/Mulignon/MoolinyanUnited StatesBlack peopleUsed by Italian-Americans. Deriving from "mulignana" the word for eggplant in some South Italian linguistic variants.[434] Also called a mouli.[435][436][437]
MuntRhodesia, originally militaryBlack people, usually men[438]
MustalainenFinlandRomani peopleLiterally "blackling," "blackie," "the black people", when "romani" is the neutral term.[439]
MaxhupKosovoRomani peopleExpression of contempt for someone, usually Romani people.[215]
MzunguEastern and Southern Africa, Democratic Republic of the CongoWhite peopleMay be both pejorative and affectionate, depending on usage.[citation needed]

N

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
NawarLevantRomani peopleArab term for Romani people and other groups sharing an itinerant lifestyle.[citation needed]
Neftenya / Neftegna / Naftenya / NaftegnaEthiopia/AmharicAmhara peopleLiterally means "rifle-bearer", relates to 19th century Ethiopian history. Since 1975, used as inflammatory term by Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF, governing party) officials against Amharas; continued inflammatory/derogatory usage in 2020 online media two years after EPRDF loss of political power.[440][441][442]
Němčour, nimchura (німчура), nemchura (немчура)Slavic languagesGerman people[443]
NereBengali HindusMuslims[444]
NiakouéFranceEast or Southeast Asian peopleA corrupted Vietnamese word with similar to "yokel", "country bumpkin", etc.[445]
Niglet / NegritoBlack children[446]
Nig-nog or NignogCommonwealthBlack peopleOriginally used to refer to a novice – a foolish or naive person – before being associated with black people.[447][448]
Nigger / neeger (Estonian) / neekeri (Finnish) / niger / nig / nigor / nigra / nigre (Caribbean) / nigar / niggur / nigga / niggah / niggar / nigguh / niggress / nigette / negro / neger (Dutch & Afrikaans)International/WorldwideBlack people, especially African-AmericansFrom the Spanish and Portuguese word negro ("black"), derived from the Latin niger. The Spanish or Portuguese term, or other such languages deriving the term from it such as Filipino, may vary in its connotation per country, where some countries, the connotation may range from either positive, neutral, or negative, depending on context. For example, in Spanish and Portuguese, it may simply refer to the color black. Among Spanish dialects in different countries, it may have either positive or negative connotations, such as describing someone similarly to my darling or my honey in Argentina, or describing someone to be angry in Spain.[citation needed]
Niggeritis / NegroitisBlack peopleTo feel sleepy after eating is referred to in and around the Caribbean as having "niggeritis", a direct allusion to the laziness of black Africans.[449]
NipUnited States, Australia, New Zealand, United KingdomJapanese peopleSomeone of Japanese descent (shortened version of Nipponese, from Japanese name for Japan, Nippon).[450]
Nitchie / neche / neechee / neejee / nichi / nichiwa / nidge / nitchee / nitchyCanadaNative CanadiansA Native American (from the Algonquian word for "friend").[451]
Non-Pri, Non-PribumiIndonesiaIndonesians of foreign descent, especially Chinese IndonesiansThe term pribumi was coined after Indonesian independence to replace the derogatory Dutch term Inlander ("native"). "Non-pribumi," often simply "non-pri," was then used to refer to Indonesians of foreign descent and was generally considered to suggest that they were not full citizens. Use of both "pribumi" and "non-pribumi" by government departments was banned by President B.J. Habibie in 1998 according to Inpres (Instruksi Presiden, lit. Presidential Instruction) No. 26 of 1998, along with instruction to stop discrimination by race in government.[452]
Northern MonkeyUnited KingdomNorthern English peopleUsed in the south of England, relating to the supposed stupidity and lack of sophistication of those in the north of the country. See also Southern Faerie. In some cases, this has been adopted in the north of England, with a pub in Leeds even taking the name "The Northern Monkey".[453][454]
NusayriSyria and the LevantMembers of the Alawite sect of Shi'a Islam.Once a common and neutral term derived from the name of Ibn Nusayr, the sect's founder, it fell out of favour within the community in the early decades of the 20th century due to the perception that it implied a heretical separateness from mainstream Islam. Resurgent in the context of the ongoing Syrian civil war, the term is now often employed by Sunni fundamentalist enemies of the government of Bashar al-Assad, an Alawite, to suggest that the faith is a human invention lacking divine legitimacy.[455][456]

O

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
OfayAfrican American VernacularWhite peopleFirst recorded in the late 19th century. Origin unknown. Suggestions include Yoruba ófé, "to disappear"; pig Latin for "foe"; and French au fait, "socially proper".[457][458]
OláhHungarian-speaking territoriesRomanian peopleEvolved to a pejorative term, originates from the historical designation of Romanians earlier the 19th century.[459]
OrcUkraineRussian soldiersOrc (Cyrillic: орк, romanised: ork), plural orcs (Russian and Ukrainian: орки, Russian romanisation: orki, Ukrainian: orky), is a pejorative used by Ukrainians[460] to refer to an invading Russian soldier[461][462] during the Russo-Ukrainian War. It comes from the name of the fictional humanoid monsters of the same name from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings.
OreoUnited StatesBlack peopleUsed as early as the 1960s. Refers to a black person who is perceived as acting white, and therefore black on the outside and white on the inside like an Oreo cookie.[463][464][465]
Oven DodgerJewish peopleImplying that one or one's ancestors avoided dying in the Holocaust and so avoid the crematorium ovens.[466]
OvernerUnited Kingdom, Isle of WightMainland United Kingdom ResidentsA term used by residents of the Isle of Wight, sometimes pejoratively, to refer to people from the mainland United Kingdom.[467]

P

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
PaddyUnited KingdomIrish peopleDerived from Pádraig/Patrick. Often derogatory; however, the sister of Lord Edward FitzGerald, a major leader of the United Irishmen of 1798, proclaimed that he was "a Paddy and no more" and that "he desired no other title than this".[citation needed][468][469]
PajeetUnited StatesIndian peopleAn American term for an Indian man. Used as a derogatory and disparaging term in reference to racial stereotyping towards Indians. The implication makes fun of a typical Indian male's name. Originated around late 2014 and early 2015.[470]
Paki, PakkisUnited Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, NorwayPakistanis, other South Asians, and sometimes Middle Eastern peopleShortened from "Pakistani".[471][472][473]
PalagiPacific IslandsWhite peopleA Samoan term for a white person, found throughout the Pacific islands. Not usually derogatory unless used in reference to a local to imply they have assimilated into Western culture.[474]
PalefaceNative AmericansWhite people[475]
Pancake Face, PancakeAsian people[476]
PapooseUnited States, CanadaNative American children[477]
ParaíbaBrazilNortheastern Brazilian peopleOne of the 9 states in the Northeast Region of Brazil. As a slur, it refers generically to any Northeastern person. Used mainly in Rio de Janeiro, the term is related to the Northeastern immigration of the second half of the 20th century.[36]
Parsubang, ParsolamIndonesia (North Sumatra)Batak people or non-Batak peopleParsubang or parsolam refers to Batak Dalle and non-Batak people who don't eat pork, canine meat, blood, and drinking alcoholic beverage. Parsolam itself is a wordplay of solam/silom/selam, an old epithet for Islam and Muslims.[178][478][479]
Pastel de flangoBrazilEast Asian peopleUsed mostly to refer to people of Chinese and Japanese origin. Pastel is Portuguese for any pastry and so is used for wonton in Brazil. Flango is eye dialect of frango (Portuguese for chicken) ridiculing Asian pronunciation.[480][481][482]
PeckerwoodSouthern African American people and Upper-class White peoplePoor, rural White people[483][484]
PeenoiseEnglish-speaking Southeast AsiaFilipinosUsually used in English or sometimes in Filipino (Tagalog) and other Philippine languages. Compound of pee + noise, likened to Pinoy, the colloquial diminutive demonym for Filipinos. The implication makes fun of their high-pitched voice and tendency to scream when speaking online, especially in online gaming and esports.[485]
PerkerDenmarkArabs, Middle EasternPortmanteau of "perser" (Persian) and "tyrker" (Turk). The use of it is commonly used towards Middle Eastern immigrants[486][487]
Pepper or PepsiCanadaFrench Canadians or Québécois.[488][489]
PickaninnyAfrican American or West Indies child[490][491]
PiefkeAustriaPrussians and Germans[citation needed]
Pikey / piky / pikerUnited KingdomIrish Travellers, Romani people, and vagrant lower-class/poor people19th century on; derived from "turnpike".[492]
Pindos / Pendos (Russian: Пиндос)RussiaAmericansUniversal disparaging term to refer to all Americans. Related slur terms can refer to the United States ─ such as Pindosiya, Pindostan (Russian: Пиндосия, Пиндостан) and United States of Pindosiya.[493][494]
Pink pigSouth AfricaWhite people[366]
Plastic PaddyIrelandEstranged Irish PeopleSomeone who knows little of Irish culture, but asserts their 'Irish' identity. Can refer to foreign nationals who claim Irishness based solely on having Irish relatives. Often used in the same sense as poseur and wannabe.[495][496]
PloucFranceBretonsUsed to mean Breton immigrants that came to Paris and extended to mean hillbillies. The term comes from the prefix "plou" found in many Breton city names and toponyms.
Look up plouc in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
[497]
Pocho / pochaSouthwest United States, MexicoAdjective for a person of Mexican heritage who is partially or fully assimilated into United States culture (literally, "diluted, watered down (drink); undersized (clothing)"). See also "Chicano".[498]
PocahontasUnited StatesNative AmericansRefers to a distorted narrative of Pocahontas, a Native American woman, in which the 17th-century daughter of Powhatan who negotiated with the English at Jamestown, married an English colonist and converted to Christianity.[499][500][501]
Polack, Polacke, Polak, PolockPolish or Slavic peopleFrom the Polish endonym, Polak (see Name of Poland). Note: the proper Swedish demonym for Polish people is polack, and the Norwegian equivalent is polakk.[502][503][504][505]
PolacoSpainCatalan people[citation needed]
PolacaBrazilProstituteIn Brazilian Portuguese the word (meaning "Polish woman") became synonymous to "prostitute".[506]
PolentoneItalyNorthern ItaliansReferring to them as a "polenta eater".[507]
Pom, Pohm, Pommy, Pommie, Pommie GrantAustralia, New Zealand, South AfricaBritish[508]
Porridge wogScots[509]
PortageeUnited StatesPortuguese people and Portuguese AmericansSlur for Portuguese Americans immigrants.[510]
PotetNorwayEthnic NorwegiansMeans "potato" in Norwegian and is mostly used negatively among non-Western immigrants when talking about or trying to offend ethnic Norwegians. Means "light skin like a potato".[511]
Prairie niggerNative American[512]
ProdNorthern IrelandNorthern Irish Protestants[513]
PshekRussianPolish males[citation needed]

Q

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
QuashieCaribbeanBlack peopleOften used on those who were often gullible or unsophisticated. From the West African name Kwazi, often given to a child born on a Sunday.[514][515][516][517]

R

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
RagheadArabs, Indian Sikhs, etc.Derived from those people wearing traditional headdress such as turbans or keffiyehs. See towel head. Sometimes used generically for all Islamic nations.[518][519]
RamasamyBritish-ruled Southern AfricaIndians,Ramasamy is a common name used mostly by Tamil people. The racially-divided southern Africa was inhabited by a large number of indentured labourers from India of whom Tamils were the majority.[520][521]
RastusUnited StatesAfrican AmericansA stereotypical term.[522]
RazakarsBengaliAkin to the western term Judas.[523]
RedlegsBarbadosWhite peopleUsed to refer to the islands' laborer-class, given how pale skin tends to burn easily.[524]
RedskinNative AmericansOften used in the names of sports teams. See Native American name controversy.[citation needed]
Risorse boldrinianeItalyMaghrebi ArabsLiterally "Boldrini's resources". Used for the first time in 2015 by Matteo Salvini, as a slur for North-African immigrants, who had been unironically called "resources" by Laura Boldrini.[525]
Rockspider, rockSouth AfricaAfrikaners[526]
Rootless cosmopolitan
(Russian: безродный космополит)		RussiaJewsSoviet epithet, originated in the official parlance, as an accusation of lack of full allegiance to the Soviet Union.[527]
Rosuke, RoskeJapaneseRussians"suke/ske" is a Japanese general-purpose derogatory suffix.[528][529]
RooinekSouth AfricaBritish peopleSlang for a person of British descent.[530]
RotoPeru, BoliviaChilean peopleUsed to refer disdainfully. The term roto ("tattered") was first applied to Spanish conquerors in Chile, who were badly dressed and preferred military strength over intellect.[531]
RoundeyeEnglish-speaking AsiansNon-Asians, especially White people[532]
Russki, ruski (Polish), ryssä (Finnish)United States
Europe		RussiansFrom the Russian word Русский Russkiy, meaning "Russian".[533][534]

S

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
SafavidIraqFeyli KurdsMainly used by higher class Sunni Arabs during Ba'athist Iraq to insult Feyli Kurds for their belief in Shia Islam.[535]
SamboUnited StatesAfrican Americans or black people in general[536]
Sand niggerUnited StatesArabs or Muslims in generalMainly used due to the desert environment of most Arab countries. Equivalent of dune coon (above).[537][538][187]
Sangokujin (三国人)JapanKorean and Taiwanese peopleOriginally used to refer the various former colonial subjects of the Empire of Japan in the aftermath of World War II.[539]
Sarong Party GirlSingaporeAsian womenUsed to ridicule Asian women who exclusively dates, marries, or socializes with White men for ulterior motives (especially for sexual, social status, and monetary purpose).[540][541][542]
SassenachScottish, GaelicEnglish people[543]
SavageEnglandIndigenous people, non-ChristiansUsed to describe a person or people considered primitive/uncivilized. Sometimes a legal term. Targets include indigenous tribes and civilizations in North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. US examples include 1776 Declaration of Independence ("merciless Indian Savages") and 1901 Supreme Court DeLima v. Bidwell ruling describing Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as "savage tribes"[544][545][546][547]
SawneyEnglandScottish peopleArchaic term. Local variant of Sandy, short for "Alasdair".[548]
ScandihoovianScandinavian people living in the United StatesSomewhat pejorative term for people of Scandinavian descent living in the United States, now often embraced by Scandinavian descendants.[549][550][551][552]
Seppo, SepticAustralia, New Zealand, United KingdomAmerican peopleAustralian rhyming slang: Septic tank – Yank.[553]
SchluchtenscheißerGermanyAustrian peopleTranslates to somebody defecating in a cave (word-for-word translation: gorge shitter) and alludes to the mountainous landscape of Austria.[554]
Schvartse, SchwartzeYiddish or German speakersAfrican people (in the United States)
Mizrahi Jews (in Israel)		Literally translates to "black".[555]
Schwartze KhayehAshkenazi JewsMizrahi JewsLiterally translates to "black animal".[556]
SheboonUnited StatesBlack women[557]
SheenyUnited StatesJewish peopleA 19th-century term for an "untrustworthy Jew".[558]
SheepshaggerAustralia,
United Kingdom		New Zealanders (in Australia)
Welsh people (in the UK)		[559][560]
SheltaIrelandIrish TravellersDerived from siúilta, which means "The Walkers" in Irish.[citation needed]
Shiksa (female), Shegetz (male)Yiddish speakersNon-Jewish children[561][562]
Shina (支那)JapanChinese peopleThe Chinese term "Zhina" was orthographiclly borrowed from the Japanese "shina". Varient form of this term: Shinajin/Zhinaren (支那人)[563]
Zhina (支那)Taiwan, Hong Kong
ShineUnited StatesBlack peopleDerived from shoeshiner, a lowly job many black people had to take.[564]
ShiptarFormer YugoslaviaAlbanian peopleFrom misspelled Albanian endonym "Shqiptar".[565]
Shka i VelikësGheg AlbaniansMontenegrins from VelikaDerogatory terms for Montenegrins named after the place Velika in Montenegro.[215]
ShkijeGheg AlbaniansSouth Slavs, in particular Serbs, Macedonians, Montenegrins, BosniaksDerived from the Latin word "Sclavus" or from the Venetian word "Schiavone", which means Slav.[566]
ShkinulkëGheg AlbaniansSouth Slavs, in particular Serbs, Macedonians, Montenegrins, BosniaksSame as Shkije but targeted towards women.[215]
Shkutzim (Yiddish, plural)Yiddish speakers (plural)Non-Jewish menUsed especially on those perceived to be anti-Semitic. Cf. Shegetz, Shiksa.[567]
Shkutor
Croatian: Škutor		CroatiaWest-Herzegovinan Croatian peoplePrimarily used to refer to ethnic Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to majority of Croats who are not natives of the modern-day Croatia (i.e. Croats of Hungary, Croats of Vojvodina etc.).[568][569]
ShoneenIrelandIrish PeopleIrish Person who imitates English Customs. It means "Little John" in Irish language, referring to John Bull, a national personification of the British Empire in general and more specifically of England.[570][571]
ShylockJewish people perceived as greedy or usuriousFrom the antagonistic character of Shylock, a Jewish money-lender, in William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice.[572]
Sí-a-la̍k (死阿陸)TaiwanChinese peopleLiterally means "damned mainlanders". the homophonic numerical form of this phrase(426) is also frequently used.[573]
Siamtue (Thai: เซียมตือ, Min Nan Chinese: 暹豬)Bangkoker (Thai Chinese)Central Thai people (usually include Mons)Literally Siamese pig; "low and vile like pigs, easy to fatten and slaughter, easy money"; mostly refers to Central Thais who migrated to Bangkok.[574][failed verification]
Sideways vagina/pussy/cooterAsian women, particularly Chinese women.[575]
SkinnyUnited StatesSomali peopleA term most commonly used for Somali militia fighters.[576]
SkopianoiGreeceEthnic MacedoniansDerived from Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia.[577][578]
Skip, SkippyAustraliaAn Australian, especially one of British descentDerived from the children's television series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.[579]
SkævøjetDenmarkEast Asian peopleSkævøjet, literally meaning "with crooked eyes", is a reference to their appearance.[580]
Slant, slant–eyeEast Asian peopleIn reference to the appearance of the eyes.[581]
SloboFinlandRussians or SlavsFrom the Slavic word sloboda (“freedom”) through some means, probably through some form of Russian слобода́ (slobodá).[582]
Slope, slopehead, slopy, slopey, sloperAustralia, United Kingdom, and United StatesAsian people (especially Vietnamese in Australia; especially Chinese in America)Also slant, slant-eye.[583][584][585]
SnowflakeUnited StatesWhite peopleMostly used in this context in the 19th and 20th centuries.[586]
Smoked Irish/Smoked IrishmanUnited StatesBlack peopleA 19th-century term intended to insult both blacks and Irish but used primarily for black people.[514]
Somdeang (โสมแดง)ThailandNorth KoreansLiterally "red ginseng" (see also Somkhao).[587][588][failed verification]
Somkhao (โสมขาว)ThailandSouth KoreansLiterally "white ginseng" (see also Somdeang).[588][failed verification]
Soosmar-khor: (سوسمار خور)PersiaArabian peoplePersian for "lizard eater," referring to the eating of lizards in Arab cuisine.[589][590][591]
SootyUnited StatesBlack peopleOriginated in the 1950s.[592]
Southern Faerie, Southern FairyUnited KingdomSouthern English peopleUsed in the North of England to refer to someone from the South, alluding to their supposed mollycoddled ways. (see also Northern Monkey.)[593]
SoutpielSouth AfricaWhite English speakersAn Afrikaans term abbreviated as "Soutie" and translates as "Salt-penis," it derives from the Boer Wars where it was said that British soldiers had one foot in the United Kingdom, one foot in South Africa, and their penis dangled in the Atlantic Ocean (filled with saltwater).[594]
SpadeBlack peopleRecorded since 1928 (OED), from the playing cards suit.[595]
SpearchuckerAfrican Americans or people of African descent in generalDerived from the idea that people of African descent were primitive.[596]
Spic, spick, spik, spig, or spigottyUnited StatesHispanic peopleFirst recorded use in 1915. Believed to be a play on a Spanish-accented pronunciation of the English word speak. May apply to Spanish speakers in general.[597][598][599][600][601]
SpookBlack peopleAttested from the 1940s.[602][603]
SquareheadNordic people, such as Scandinavians or Germans.Refers to either the stereotyped shape of their heads, or to the shape of the Stahlhelm M1916 steel helmet, or to its owner's stubbornness (like a block of wood).[604]
SquawUnited States and CanadaNative American womenDerived from lower East Coast Algonquian (Massachusett: ussqua), which originally meant "young woman".[605][606]
Swamp GuineaItalian people[607]
Szkop, skopčákPoland, Czech RepublicGerman peopleThe Polish term was particularly often used for Wehrmacht soldiers during World War II.[608]
SzwabPolandGerman peopleDerived from Swabia. See also: Fritz.[609]

T

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Taffy or TaffUnited KingdomWelsh peopleFirst used ca. 17th century. From the River Taff or the Welsh pronunciation of the name David (in Welsh, Dafydd).[610]
Taig (also Teague, Teg and Teig)United Kingdom (primarily Northern Ireland)Irish nationalistsUsed by loyalists in Northern Ireland for members of the nationalist/Catholic/Gaelic community. Derived from the Irish name Tadhg, often mistransliterated as Timothy.[611][612]
Tai KeTaiwanWaishengrenLiterally means "Guests in Taiwan"(not belonging to here), Used when referring to Chinese who fled with Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese Nationalist Party to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War (see Waishengren)[613]
TankaChinaTanka peopleA name for a distinct ethnic group traditionally living in boats off the shore of South China. Originally descriptive ("Tan"/"Tang" is a Cantonese term for boat or junk and "ka" means family or peoples, Chinese: 蜑家; Cantonese Yale: Daahn gā / Dahng gā), the term Tanka is now considered derogatory and no longer in common use. The people concerned prefer to call themselves by other names, such as 'Nam Hoi Yan' (Chinese: 南海人; Cantonese Yale: Nàamhóiyàn; lit. 'People of The Southern Sea') or 'Sui Seung Yan' (Chinese: 水上人; pinyin: shuǐshàng rén; Cantonese Yale: Séuiseuhngyàn; lit. 'People Born on The Waters'), and other more polite terms.[614][615][616][617][618][619][620][621][622]
Tar-BabyUnited StatesBlack childrenAlso used to refer without regard to race to a situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself. See tar baby.[623]
TàuVietnamChinese peopleVarient form of "Tàu khựa"[624][365]
TeabagSouth AfricaBlack and Cape Coloured or Coloured individuals who have a light skin[366]
TeapotBlack peopleOriginates from the 19th century.[625][514]
TerroneItalySouthern Italian people.[626][627]
TeuchterSouthern ScotlandNorthern Scottish peopleUsed to refer to somebody from the north of Scotland or rural Scottish areas.[628]
ThicklipsUnited KingdomBlack people[514]
TiblaEstoniaRussian or Soviet peopleIn widespread use by the Estonian War of Independence, this word was forbidden under the Soviet occupation of Estonia. It may be a shortened corruption of Vitebski, workers from the Vitebsk Governorate during World War I who were seen as dumb. It may also come from the Russian profane addressing "ty, blyad," "ты, блядь" ("you bitch", and the like [a]) or, truncated, "ty, blya," "ты, бля.[629][630]
TikoIndonesiaNative Indonesian peopleTiko stands for Tikus kotor (Dirty rat). It may also derive from Hokkien 猪哥 (ti-ko), which means "brother of a pig", referring to their majority Muslim heritage.[631]
Timber niggerNative AmericansRefers to the Native Americans on the East coast living in areas that were heavily forested.[632]
TimurSyrian people from DamascusRefers to the children born of the mass rapes that the Turco-Mongol Tatar soldiers of Timur committed against the Syrian women of Damascus in the Siege of Damascus (1400).[633]
Ting tongUnited KingdomChinese people or East Asians.[634]
Tinker / tynekere / tinkere / tynkere, -are / tynker / tenker / tinkar / tyncar / tinkard / tynkard / tinckerBritain and IrelandLower-class peopleAn inconsequential person (typically lower-class) (note that in Britain, the term "Irish Tinker" may be used, giving it the same meaning as example as directly below).[citation needed]
Scotland and IrelandRomani peopleOrigin unknown – possibly relating to one of the "traditional" occupations of Romanis as traveling "tinkerers" or repairers of common household objects.[635]
ScotlandNative Scottish peopleA 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", possibly derived from a reputation for rowdy and alcoholic recreation. Often confused with Romani people.[citation needed]
ToadUnited StatesBlack peoplePrison slang.[636]
Toku-AJapanChinese and Korean peopleLiterally means "specific Asia", A term used by netto-uyoku referring to the only specific part of Asia with strong Anti-Japanese sentiment in their countries (China and North/South Korea).[637]
TontoUnited StatesNative AmericansNative American character in the American television and radio programs The Lone Ranger. Spanish for "Idiot".[638][359]
Touch of the tar brushCommonwealthWhite people with suspected non-white ancestryPhrase for a person of predominantly Caucasian ancestry with real or suspected African or Asian distant ancestry.[when defined as?][639]
Towel headTurban wearersOften refers specifically to Sikhs, or Arabs and Muslims—based on the traditional keffiyeh headdress. However, in British English, the term is only used to refer to Arabs. Americans use the term 'rag-head' to apply to wearers of turbans as well, because the cloth that makes a turban could be described as a rag, but in British English the term towel-head solely refers to Arabs because the traditional, Middle Eastern keffiyeh, such as the red and white Saudi one or the black and white Palestinian keffiyeh worn by Yasser Arrafat, resemble the most common styles of British tea-towels – dishcloth in American – while Sikh turbans do not.[640][641][642][643]
Turco-AlbanianWestern Europe, BalkansMuslim AlbaniansHistorically used in Western Europe and still in use within the Balkans to refer to Muslim Albanians. In the Greek language, the expression is rendered as Turkalvanoi.[644]
TurcoArgentina, Brazil, ChileSyrians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Jews, ArmeniansMeaning "Turk" in Portuguese and Spanish. The term originated in the late 19th century to refer those who came to Brazil, Argentina and Chile from the Ottoman Empire. Since Jews (both Sephardic and Ashkenazi) frequently occupied the same roles as peddlers as Syrians and Lebanese (who were the majority of those with Ottoman passports in Brazil), they were also called "turcos" in Brazil. Ironically, there was no relevant immigration of ethnic Turks to Brazil.[645][646][647]
Turčin, PoturčinSerbsBosniaksIn reference to the supposed ambiguity of Bosniaks and their ethnic origins; referring to their acceptance of the Muslim faith as them becoming "Turkified" or "Poturčin"[648]
TurkSouth WalesLlanelli residentsThe origin of this term is uncertain; some theories suggest it due to Llanelli's popularity with Turkish sailors in the late 19th to early 20th century or possibly when Turkish migrants heading for the United States stopped in Llanelli and decided to settle due to there being jobs available. However, most likely it's due to the fact that during World War One there was a trade embargo in place during Gallipoli, but Llanelli continued to trade tin with the Turkish; this led to people from neighbouring Swansea and other surrounding areas referring to them as Turks.[649]
TurkoSephardic JewsAshkenazi JewsLadino word meaning "Turk". The exact history of the term is uncertain, but possibly refers to the Khazar hypothesis of Ashkenazi ancestry.[650]
Twinkie: United StatesEuropean Americans, Asian AmericansEuropean Americans with few or no social or genealogical links to an indigenous tribe, who claims to be Native American, particularly a New Age practitioner purporting to be a spiritual leader, healer, or medicine man/woman (see also Plastic shaman). Also an Asian American who has become assimilated into mainstream American culture (See Banana, Coconut, and Twinkie).[42][651][652][653]

U

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Ukro-Nazi, Ukronazi, UkrofascistRussiaUkrainiansLabel used to link self-identifying Ukrainians during the Russo-Ukrainian War to Nazism, evoke Soviet victory in WWII, and justify Russian atrocities in Ukraine. Russian: укро-нацист, romanized: ukro-natsist,[654][655] укро-фашист, ukro-fashist.[656][657][658]
UkropRussiansUkrainiansA disparaging term which means "dill" in Russian, itself derived from "Ukrainian"<->Ukrop.[659][375]
Uncle TomUnited StatesBlack peopleRefers to black people perceived as behaving in a subservient manner to white authority figures. In South Africa, the term "Uncle Tom" has been used as a derogatory slur against coloreds who were perceived as collaborating with the apartheid regime or being subservient to white people. In South Africa, the use of the term "Uncle Tom" by black people against coloureds or vice versa is considered racist and discriminatory according to the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.[660][661]
UntaIndonesiaArab IndonesiansMeaning "Camel".[662]
UPAina/ UPAińcy / UPAiniec, UPAinkaPolandUkrainiansPortmanteau word Ukraine + UPA (Ukrayins'ka Povstans'ka Armiia) responsible for Volhynia genocide.[663][664]
UppityBlack peopleRefers to black people who are perceived as being insolent.[268][665]
UzkoglazyjRussiaAsian people, in particular East and Central Asians.Narrow-eyed[666]

V

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
VanjaFinlandRussian peopleSynonym of ryssä, referring to Russians or Slavs broadly.[667]
Veneco [es]South AmericaVenezuelans[668]
Vrindavan, PrindapanIndonesiaIndian peopleIndonesian version of pajeet. Originated from Little Krishna animated series.[669]
VuzvuzSephardi and Mizrahi JewsAshkenazi JewsOnomatopoeia of the Yiddish word for "What", which Judaeo-Spanish speaking Sephardi Jews and Judaeo-Arabic speaking Mizrahi Jews did not understand.[670]

W

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Wagon burnerNative American peopleA reference to when Native American tribes would attack wagon trains during the wars in the eastern American frontier.[671]
Wasi'chu, WasichuLakota people, Dakota peopleNon-Native white peopleWord for a non-Native white person, meaning "the one who takes the best meat for himself".[672]
West BritIrelandIrish peopleDirected at Irish people perceived as being insufficiently Irish or too Anglophilic.[673][674]
WetbackUnited StatesUndocumented immigrantsRefers to undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. Originally applied specifically to undocumented Mexican migrant workers who had crossed the United States border via the Rio Grande river to find work in the United States, its meaning has since broadened to any undocumented person who enters the United States through its southern border.[675]
White earsNauruWhite people[676]
White interloperWhite peopleRefers to a white person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong.[677]
Wigger / Whigger / Wigga (meaning white nigger)United StatesIrish peopleUsed in 19th-century United States to refer to the Irish. Sometimes used today in reference to white people in a manner similar to white trash or redneck. Also refers to white youth that imitate urban black youth by means of clothing style, mannerisms, and slang speech. Also used by radical Québécois in self-reference, as in the seminal 1968 book White Niggers of America.[678]
White nigger, Nigger wopUnited StatesSouthern ItaliansFrom the 1800s, inferring such Italians were not "white" enough to be allowed citizenship.[679][680]
White trashUnited StatesPoor white peopleCommon usage from the 1830s by black house slaves against white servants.[681]
WhiteyWhite people[682]
WogCommonwealthDark-skinned foreignersAny swarthy or dark-skinned foreigner. Possibly derived from "golliwogg." In Western nations, it usually refers to dark-skinned people from Asia or Africa, though some use the term to refer to anyone outside the borders of their own country.[683]
AustraliaSouthern Europeans, MediterraneansUsually used to refer to Southern Europeans and Mediterraneans (Italians, Croatians, Greeks, Albanians, Maltese, Macedonians, Turks, Lebanese). It has become reappropriated by the cultures that it is commonly used to describe, but may be considered by some as controversial.[684]
WopUnited States, Canada, United KingdomItalian peopleDerived from the Italian dialectism, "guappo", close to "dude, swaggerer" and other informal appellations, a greeting among male Neapolitans.[685][686]

X

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Xiǎo RìběnChinaJapanese peopleLiterally translated, it means "little Japan". It is often used with "guizi" or ghost/devil, such as "xiao Riben guizi", or "little Japanese devil".[citation needed]
Xing LingBrazilChinese peopleChinese products or low-quality products in general. Sometimes used to refer to Chinese people as well. Etymologically, this term is said to be derived from Mandarin 星零 xing ling ("zero stars").[687]

Y

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Yam yamUnited KingdomBlack Country residentsTerm used by people from Birmingham.[688]
YanaconaChileMapuche peopleTerm used by modern Mapuche as an insult for Mapuches considered to be subservient to non-indigenous Chileans, "sellout." Use of the word "yanacona" to describe people have led legal action in Chile.[689]
YankBritish English speakersAmericansA contraction of "Yankee" below, first recorded in 1778 and employed internationally by speakers of British English in informal reference to all Americans generally.[690]
YankeeDutch speakersAmericansPossibly from Janke ("Johnny") or a dialectical variant of Jan Kaas ("John Cheese"). First applied by the Dutch colonists of New Amsterdam to Connecticuters and then to other residents of New England, "Yankee" remains in use in the American South in reference to Northerners, often in a mildly pejorative sense. Outside the US, especially in Spain and South America, used to describe all citizens of the US, regardless of which part of the US they come from.[690]
YaposhkaRussiaJapanese peopleDerived from "yaponets" (Cyrillic: японец)[691] [692]
YellowAsian peopleAn East or southeast Asian person, in reference to those who have a yellowish skin color.[693]
Mixed Ethnic peopleAnyone of mixed heritage, especially black or white people; a light-skinned black person, or a dark-skinned white person.[693]
Yellow boneUnited StatesA light-skin black person[366]
YidJewish peopleDerived from its use as an endonym among Yiddish-speaking Jews. In the United Kingdom, "yid" is also used to refer to supporters of the Tottenham Hotspur football club, whose fans refer to themselves and players as "yids" (or the derivative form "yiddo"), regardless of whether or not they are Jewish, as part of a reclamation attempt centered around the club's significant historic Jewish following. The latter sense is common and well-established enough to be found under the word's Oxford English Dictionary entry, though its use has become controversial and a matter of debate in the 21st century, with opinions from both Jews and non-Jews, Tottenham fans and non-fans, running the gamut.[694][695]
YuonCambodiaVietnamese peopleThe Cambodian word "Yuon" (yuôn) យួន /juən/ is derived from the Indian word for Greek, Yavana". It can also be spelled as "Youn". Alternately, it may have come from the Chinese cognate of the country, "Yue" 越.[696][697][698][699]

Z

TermLocation or originTargetsMeaning, origin and notesReferences
Zip, ZipperheadUnited StatesAsian peopleUsed by American military personnel during the Korean War and Vietnam War. Also used in the films Apocalypse Now (1979), Platoon (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Romeo Must Die (2000), Gran Torino (2008), and Premium Rush (2012).[700][701][702]
Zuca, BrazucaPortugalBraziliansShort for Brazuca, derived from "Brasil", used by Portuguese people to refer to Brazilians living in Portugal.[703][704]
Zhyd, zhid, zhydovka, zhidovkaEast Slavic language speakersJewish peopleOriginally neutral (as in other Slavic languages), but became pejorative as debate over the Jewish question and the antisemitism in the Russian Empire intensified in the end of the 19th century. While still in official use during the Ukrainian War of Independence and the short-lived Belarusian Democratic Republic, its use was banned by the Soviet authorities, which had previously been campaigning against its usage, in the 1930s. The usage of the word "żyd" in Polish depends on capitalisation and grammatical form: upper-case Żyd is neutral and denotes Jews in general or Jews as a nationality; the lower-case form (żyd, plural: żydzi) denotes a follower of Judaism; both are neutral. Related terms are considered offensive: alternative plural "żydy" or diminutive "żydek" (plural: żydki).[705][706]

See also

References

Bibliography

Further reading

  • Adhikari, Mohamed, editor. Burdened by Race: Coloured Identities in Southern Africa. UCT Press, 2013, pp. 69, 124, 203 ISBN 978-1-92051-660-4 https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/c0a95c41-a983-49fc-ac1f-7720d607340d/628130.pdf.
  • Burchfield, Robert. "Dictionaries and Ethnic Sensibilities." In The State of the Language, ed. Leonard Michaels and Christopher Ricks, University of California Press, 1980, pp. 15–23.
  • Croom, Adam M. "Racial Epithets: What We Say and Mean by Them". Dialogue 51 (1):34–45 (2008)
  • Henderson, Anita. "What's in a Slur?" American Speech, Volume 78, Number 1, Spring 2003, pp. 52–74 in Project MUSE
  • Kennedy, Randall. Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Pantheon, 2002)
  • Mencken, H. L. "Designations for Colored Folk." American Speech, 1944. 19: 161–74.
  • Mathabane, M. (1986). Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa. Simon & Schuster. (Chapter 2)
  • Wachal, Robert S. "Taboo and Not Taboo: That Is the Question." American Speech, 2002. vol. 77: 195–206.

Dictionaries

  • Erin McKean, ed. The New Oxford American Dictionary, second edition. (Oxford University Press, 2005)
  • Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (2002)
  • John A. Simpson, Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series. ISBN 0-19-861299-0
  • Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, ed. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary. (Oxford University Press, 2004)
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