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

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

0-9

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

(England) Cockney rhyming slang for a Jew. Originated in the early 1900s.^[1]

A

Abbie / Abe / Abie

a Jewish male. From the proper name Abraham. Originated before the 1950s.^[2]

ABCD

(Subcontinentals in U.S.) "American-Born Confused Desi" used for American-born South Asians who are confused about their cultural identity. Often used by ABCDs about other ABCDs. ABCD is the most common version of the phrase, but there are variations of it that extend all the way to the letter 'z' in at least two different versions: "American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, House in Jersey, Kids Learning Medicine, Now Owning Property, Quite Reasonable Salary, Two Uncles Visiting, White Xenophobia Yet Zestful" and "American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lotsa Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zestful"^[12]

Abo / Abbo

(AUS) Australian Aboriginal person. Originally, this was simply an informal term for "Aborigine", and was in fact used by Aboriginal people themselves until it started to be considered offensive in 1950s. In remoter areas, Aboriginal people still often refer to themselves (quite neutrally) as "Blackfellas" (and whites as "Whitefellas"). From the 1870s until the 1920s, the word Ab was used instead.^{[citation needed]} Although "Abo" is still considered quite offensive by many, the pejorative "boong" is now more commonly used when the intent is to deliberately offend , as that word's status as an insult is unequivocal.^[3]

Adolf / 'Dolf

(U.S. and Commonwealth) Germans, referring to Adolf Hitler.^[13]

Africoon

(North America) a Black person.^[14]

Afro-Saxon

(North America) A young white male devotee of African-American pop culture.^[4]

Ahab

(U.S.) an Arab, from the novelty song "Ahab the Arab" by Ray Stevens, also rcorded by Jimmy Saville; in the Bible, Ahab was the sinful king of Samaria married to the equally wicked Jezebel.^[15]

Alabama Blue Gums

(U.S.) a black person.^[16][17][18]

Albino

(U.S. Blacks) whites, also a derogatory term for light skinned blacks used by darker skinned blacks. ^[19] (see colorism)

Alligator bait

(U.S.) also "Gator Bait." A black person, especially a black child. More commonly used in states where alligators are found — particularly Florida. First used in the early 1900s, although some hypothesize the term originated in the late 1800s.^[5]

Alter kacker / alter kocker (Yiddish) / alter kucker / A.K.

(North America) a disparaging term for elderly Jewish people. The term is of Yiddish origin (literally meaning old shitter). First used in the early 1900s.^[6]

Ami

(Germany) American. Formerly specifically for American soldiers, now for Americans in general.^[7]

Angie

(Quebec English) Anglophones in Canada.^[20]

Anglo

(U.S.) Any white (northern-western European) person, regardless of whether he or she has English ancestry. This term is most often used by Hispanics and Italian Americans and often is not meant to be offensive.^[8] However, it has the potential to be offensive when used to refer to someone of Irish ancestory, due to their discrimination they encountered from the English in Ireland, and the English and German Protestants in America.

Anglo-pilferer

An Anglo-Australian possibly of convict lineage. Based on the belief that all Anglo-Australians are descended from convicts. Particularly offensive.^[9]

Ann

A white woman to a black person — or a black woman who acts too much like a white one. While Miss Ann, also just plain Ann, is a derisive reference to the white woman, by extension it is applied to any black woman who puts on airs and tries to act like Miss Ann.^[10]

Antique Farm Equipment/Outdated Farm Machinery

(U.S) a Black person; slaves were mostly used for farming.^[21][22]

Ape

(U.S.) a black person.^[11]

Apple

(North America) An American Indian (Native American) who is "red on the outside, white on the inside." Used primarily by other American Indians to indicate someone who has lost touch with their cultural identity. First used in the 1980s.^[12]

Argie

(UK) a native of Argentina (also Argie-bargie : any argument, disagreement, or (typically) sporting event involving Argentina or Argentinians), used by the British press during the Falklands War. Coined by Britain's The Sun newspaper in 1982.^[13]

As dry as a pommy's towel

(Australia) very dry. Pommy=Englishman. Possibly from the perception that Englishmen do not bathe very often, or less likely from the popular belief that Englishmen don't sweat.^[14]

Aunt Jemima / Aunt Jane / Aunt Mary / Aunt Sally / Aunt Thomasina

(U.S. Blacks) a black woman who "kisses up" to whites, a "sellout", female counterpart of Uncle Tom.^[15]

B

Beaner

(U.S.) term widely regarded as derogatory, that refers to people of Mexican descent or, more broadly, mestizos.^[16][17][18] The term originates from the prevalence of frijoles pintos and other beans in Mexican food.^[18][19]

According to The Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the word was first seen in print in 1965, although the term has reportedly been in use at least since the 1940s (perhaps having evolved from previous slurs such as "bean-eater" and "bean-bandit" that were in use since as far back as the 1910s.) ^[16]

Although the word is generally considered pejorative, its usage is not always overtly offensive and can be fairly benign depending on the context (similar to the term "frog" for a French person.) Though perhaps once considered strictly offensive, it appears that the term may be going through a phase of melioration, where the negative connotation of an ethnic slur is "reclaimed" by those it is directed against and used in a neutral or even positive manner. ^[16] Comedian Carlos Mencia uses this word quite frequently as a part of his anti-political correct comedy routine that urges people of different races and culture to stop getting offended and be willing to laugh at themselves.

Boche; bosche; bosch

(France; U.S.; UK) a German [from either French caboche head, or Alboche, modification of Allemand German].^[20]

Bog Irish

a person of common or low class Irish ancestry.^[21][22]

Bohunk

A person of east-central European descent. Was commonly used toward Ukrainian immigrants during the early 20th century.^[23]

Boong / bong / bung

(Aus) Australian aboriginal.^[24] Related to the Australian English slang word bung, meaning "dead", "infected", "dysfunctional". From bung, to go bung "Originally to die, then to break down, go bankrupt, cease to function [Ab. bong dead]".^[25] Highly offensive. [First used in 1847 by JD Lang, Cooksland, 430]^[26]

Boonga / boong / bunga / boonie

(New Zealand) a Pacific Islander [alteration of boong].^[27]

Bounty Bar

A bounty, being composed of coconut coated with chocolate, is white on the inside and brown on the outside. As with wigger, this is a both a subcultural and ethnic slur. The immediate target is denigrated for having the cultural values of a different ethnic group, with the implication that that ethnic group is bad or inferior. Coconut and Oreo are used in the same way.^[28]

Brownie

(U.S.) a. a person of mixed white and black ancestry; a mulatto. b. (U.S. black) a young, brown-skinned person 1940s-1950s^[29]

Buffie

a. black person.^[30]

b. (U.S. black) a young, brown-skinned person 1940s-1950s^[31]

Buddhahead

Term for someone of east Asian descent, originally used for Japanese. ^[32]

Bug-Eater

pejorative term for an Asian, derived from the fact that some cultures in Asia are known to eat insects ^[33]

C

Camel Jockey

a person of Middle-Eastern descent.^[34]

Canuck

slang term for Canadian. Although not considered offensive (even by Canadians themselves, who often call themselves Canucks), Webster's Dictionary does define the term Canuck as offensive slang. ^[35] The NHL's Vancouver Canucks use this name as a nod to the popular nickname.

CBCD

(Subcontinentals in Canada) - Canadian-Born Confused Desi - Similar to ABCD, but used for Canadian-born South Asians who are confused about their cultural identity. ^[23][24]

Charlie

Mildly derogatory term used by African Americans, mainly in the 1960s and 1970s, to refer to a white person (from James Baldwin's novel, Blues For Mr. Charlie). The same word was also a generally non-pejorative slang term used by American troops during the Vietnam War as a short-hand term for Vietnamese guerrillas: it was shortened from "Victor Charlie", the radio code designation for Viet Cong, or VC.^[36]

Chee-chee

a Eurasian half-caste [probably from Hindi chi-chi fie!, literally, dirt]^[37]

Chinaman

(Worldwide English) Chinese person, used in old American west when discrimination against Chinese was common.^[38] The term generates controversy when still used in geographic places associated or resembling Chinese. Though it is still heard in the lyrics to the 70s song "Kung Fu Fighting", it tends to generate objections in modern times, especially in the US. Asian-American is the preferred nomenclature. See Chinaman (disambiguation) for other uses.

Ching Chong

(U.S. and Canada) Mocking the language of or a person of perceived Chinese or East Asian descent. An offensive term which has raised considerable controversy when used by celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell.^[39]

Chink

(U.S. and UK) used to refer to people of perceived Chinese descent, and by extension for other East Asians. Considered extremely derogatory, although at least one US school proudly used the term as a sports mascot until the 1980s.^[40]

Clog Wog

(AUS) a person of Dutch origin, not always offensive.^[41]

Cholo

(Latin American Spanish, USA) used to refer to people of perceived amerindian descent. Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo was called "el cholo".^[42]

Coconut

(Pacific Islands) refers to a Pacific Islander who is brown (of island decent) on the outside and white on the inside. (Mexican-American) refers to a Mexican who is brown on the outside and white in the inside, called Coco. (US) refers to a black male with short-cropped hair, whose head is said to resemble the tropical fruit; considered derogatory.

Colored

(U.S.) a Black or Black mixed-race person. Now considered a slur, it was highly acceptable in the past. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, for example, continues to use its full name unapologetically.

Coolie

(North America) unskilled Asian labor, usually Chinese (originally used in 19th-century for Chinese railroad labor). Possibly from Hindi/Telugu kuli, day laborer.^[43] Also racial epithet for Indo-Caribbean people, especially in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and South African Indians, where it is considered on par with "nigger".

Coon

(AUS, U.S. and U.K) a black person. Possibly from Portuguese barraco, a building constructed to hold slaves for sale (1837). ^[44][45]

Coonass, or Coon-ass

(U.S.) a person of Cajun ethnicity.^[46]

Cowboy

(Europe) an American, often used by political cartoonists. (Not offensive to many Americans.)^[47]

Cracker

(U.S.) poor Southerner, "poor white trash", first used in the 19th century.^[48] By extension, white people in general. (Europe) People with blue eyes and blonde hair. (Southeast Asia) White people (usually White Americans).

Crow

a black person,^[49] spec. a black woman.

Cunt-eyed

(U.S.) adjective: a person with slanted eyes [first used in the 1910s]^[50]

Curry-muncher

(Africa) a person of East Indian origin.^[51]

D

Dago

(U.S.) an Italian or person of Italian descent. In the UK used to refer to Spaniards or Portuguese, possibly derived from the Spanish name "Diego".^[52]

Darky

noun. Used as a disparaging term for a Black person.^[53]

Daywalker

a ginger person with no freckles, used in South Park cartoon, episode called Ginger Kids

Dink

an Asian, esp. a Vietnamese. Also used as a disparaging term for a North Vietnamese soldier or guerrilla in the Vietnam War. Origin: 1965–70, Americanism; cf. Australian slang dink Chinese person; perh. back formation from dinky, reinforced by rhyme with Chink ^[54]

Dogan, dogun

(CAN) Irish Catholic [19th century on; origin uncertain: perhaps from Dugan, an Irish surname].^[55]

Dune coon

(US) Derogatory term used for Arabs and other peoples of the Middle East.^[56]. Popularised in David O. Russell's movie about Gulf War I Three Kings (1999).

Dutchman

noun. (1) [19th century on, Dutch being corrupted from the Pennsylvania German self-descriptive word Deitsch. Anyone of Germanic heritage (as with Anglo-Celtic Pennsylvanians) a Pennsylvania German; (2) (mid-1800s to 1920s) a foreigner, especially one who does not speak English well; (3) a bar keeper;^[57] (4) anglophone South African whites, used for Afrikaner^[58]

E

Eskimo

A synonym for the Inuit. (US) The term may or may not be offensive, considering some tribes in Alaska still prefer to be called by that general name.^[59][60] The CFL's Edmonton Eskimos use this name as a nod to the popular nickname.

eSStonia

(Russia) An offensive term applied to Estonia to portray it as a country ruled by Nazi sympathisers. ^[61]. Often used in internet media by Russians after the Bronze soldier incident. The doubled S is a hint to the Waffen SS.

F

Fenian

(Northern Ireland and west of Scotland Protestants) originally the name of a political movement, the Fenian Brotherhood, but now a derogatory term aimed at Catholics, especially those thought to sympathise with the IRA.^[62]

Flip

(Western World) A derogatory term for Filipinos.^[63]

Free Stater

(Northern Ireland) a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, especially to Ulster Protestants. Also used by Irish Republicans to refer to Irish people who they believe are less than patriotic.^[64]

Fritz

(UK, France, Hungary ("fricc"), Poland [Fryc], Russia [фриц] ) a German [from Friedrich (Frederick)].^[65]

Frog

(Canada UK US) A French person. Comes from the French recipe for eating frogs' legs (see comparable French term Rosbif). Also used in Canada to refer to both the French and French Canadians, more specifically to people from Quebec.^[66]

G

Gable

a black person.^[67]

Gin

(AUS) an Aboriginal woman.^[68]

Gin jockey

(AUS) a white person having casual sex with an Aboriginal woman. Pejorative. See also gin burglar^[69]

Ginzo

(U.S.) an Italian-American.^[70]

Gollywogg

(UK) A black person, from a once popular children's doll.

Gook

(U.S. military slang) an Asian person, especially an enemy (e.g. Koreans or Vietnamese during the Korean and Vietnam wars). By extension, any Asian person. Derived from the Korean words “hanguk” and “miguk”. Guk is from the Chinese word guo, which means country. “Hanguk” refers to Korea^[25] and “miguk” is the common word for the United States.^[26] American troops thought "miguk" sounded like "me gook" (i.e. "I am a gook"). The word persisted during the Vietnam War, perhaps also because the Vietnamese people have a similar word “quốc”, meaning "country". "Gook" was also used by white soldiers in Africa to designate enemy insurgents.^[71]

Goy (גוי)

(Jews) a non-Jew (Gentile)^[72]or someone who does not practice Judaism; The Hebrew and Yiddish word goy (plural: גוים, goyim) means "nation" or "people". The word is used over 550 times in the Hebrew Bible referring to both the Israelites and non-Israelites, when referencing an entire nation.

Goyisher kopf

(Jews) This exclamation is said by Jews when they say or do something stupid (literally, "gentile-head").^[73]

Greaseball

(US) a person of Italian descent or sometimes Hispanic descent.^[74]

Gringo

(Latin American, Hispanic Americans, Portugal) a white person or foreigner. The term lends itself to derogatory or paternalistic connotations, but depending on the context it may not be meant pejoratively. Probably derives from the Spanish word for "Greek" (griego), applied to foreigners. In Brazil, "gringo" is applied to any foreigners (including Mexicans or Argentines) and has no negative connotations by itself^[75].

Gub, Gubba

(AUS) Aboriginal pejorative term for white people ^[76]

Guinea

(U.S.) someone of Italian descent. (Derives from "Guinea Negro", was called because of the belief that Italians who had dark complexions were African)^[77]

Gweilo, gwailo, or kwai lo (鬼佬)

(used in South of Mainland China and Hong Kong) A White man. Loosely translated as "foreign devil;" more literally, might be "ghost dude/bloke/guy/etc." Gwei means "ghost." The color white is associated with ghosts in China. A lo is a regular guy (i.e. a fellow, a chap, or a bloke). [27] Once a mark of xenophobia, the word is now in general, informal use [28] but still considered derogatory.

Gyppo, gippo, gypo, gyppie, gyppy, gipp

(UK) a. A Gypsy (see below). b. (UK and Australian military) Egyptians,^[78] sometimes used affectionately, but "bloody Gyppo" was a term of abuse.

H

Haji

(US) Used by U.S. military to describe Iraqi's or Arabs.^[79][80]

Haole

(US, Hawaiian) A non-native, used by Hawaiians to describe whites and other non-islanders.^[81]

Hapa

(US) Of mixed Asian race. Like with the slur nigga Asians of mixed ancestry are using this word to destigmatize the term.^[82] It still can be regarded as a racial slur, as being called colored.

Heeb, Hebe

(U.S.) offensive term for a Jewish person, derived from the word "Hebrew".^[83][84]

Hegg

(U.K. and Ireland) An offensive term for a black person, particularly from Nigeria. Based on the word "egg" due to the Nigerian tendency to add 'h' to words beginning with vowels when speaking English.^{[citation needed]}

Hindoo

(AUS) 19th century, Hindu. Often not offensive.^[85] In Canada, this in either spelling is heavily offensive when used in reference to Canadian Sikhs. ^{[citation needed]}

Honky also spelled "honkey" or "honkie"

(1) (U.S. blacks) An offensive term for a white person. Derived from an African-American pronunciation of "hunky", the disparaging term for a Hungarian laborer. Considered to be less offensive than "nigger". The first record of its use as an insulting term for a white person dates from the 1950s. Also used in the British Commonwealth with less derogatory implications.^[86]

Husky

an Eskimo of Labrador and northeastern Canada or his language — sometimes taken to be offensive [probably by shortening and alteration from Eskimo] Sometimes used in conjunction with Skimo.^[87]

Hun

(U.S. and U.K.) A derogatory term for Germans, especially German soldiers; popular during World War I. ^[88] Also an offensive term for a Protestant

I

Ikey / ike iky

a Jew [from Isaac]^[89]

Ikey-mo / ikeymo

a Jew [from Isaac and Moses]^[90]

Injun

an offensive term for a Native American.^[91]

Inkface

a black person.^[92]

Ivan

An offensive term applied to Russians, referring to Russia's first Czar, Ivan the Terrible

J

Jap/Japo/Jappo

An abbreviation for a Japanese, perceived as derogatory^{[citation needed]}

JAP

Jewish American Princess

Jerry

(Commonwealth, especially during World War II) a. a German national. b. a German soldier [Probably an alteration of German].^[93] Origin of Jerry can.

Jaundy Boy

pejorative term for a person of Asian descent, derived from the medical condition Jaundice , which causes skin to yellow.^[94]

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

(U.S. and UK) a black person (JB) with stereotypical Black features (dark skin, wide nose, big lips, etc.).^[95]

Jim Fish

(South Africa) a Black person^[96]

Jock, jocky, jockie

(UK) A Scottish person, dialect form of personal name John. Occasionally used by the English as an insult.^[97]but also in respectful reference to elite Scottish, particularly Highland troops, e.g. the 9th (Scottish) Division. Same vein as the English insult for the French, as Frogs.

Also used in the US to refer to an athlete (see Jock (subculture). In addition, the term "shock jock" refers to a disc jockey known for controversial comments (examples include Don Imus and Howard Stern).

Jock is also used to refer to jockstraps.

Jungle bunny

(U.S. and UK) a Black person.^[98]

K

Kaffir, kaffer, kaffir, kafir, kaffre, kuffar

(South Africa) a. a black person. Very offensive. Usage: Kaffir Boy was a famous autobiographical book by Mark Mathabane about his childhood in South Africa. (The South African Consul General in Lethal Weapon 2 calls Danny Glover a kaffir and Mel Gibson a 'kaffir lover'.) b. also caffer or caffre: a non-Muslim. c. a member of a people inhabiting the Hindu Kush mountains of north-east Afghanistan. Origin is from the Arab word kafir meaning 'infidel' used in the early Arab trading posts in Africa. The term is still used as a pejorative by Islamists in such a context. The term passed into modern usage through the British, who used the term to refer to the mixed groupings of people displaced by Shaka when he organized the Zulu nation. These groups (consisting of Mzilikaze, Matiwani, Mantatisi, Flingoe, Hottentot, and Xhosa peoples inhabited the region from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo river) fought the British in the Kaffir Wars 1846–1848, 1850–1852, and 1877–1878.)^[99][100] See also Kaffir (Historical usage in southern Africa)

Kanake (from Kanaka, New Caledonian for Human)

(Germany) Derogatory German term for immigrants and foreigners predominantly of Turkish descent, but also Kurdish or Arab ancestry. See also "Kanak Sprak", a term used for the manner of speech used among Turks in modern Germany.

Keling

(Malaysia and Indonesia) Derogatory term for Indians.

Kike or kyke

(U.S.) a Jew. From kikel, Yiddish for "circle". Immigrant Jews signed legal documents with an "O" (similar to an "X").^[101]

Kraut (from Sauerkraut)

(North America and Commonwealth) Derogatory U.S. and British term for a German,^[102] most specifically during World War II.

L

Limey

(US) A British person. Comes from the historical British naval practice of giving sailors limes to stave off scurvy.^[103]

M

Macaca (from macaque)

Epithet used to describe a Negro (originally) or a person of North-African origin (more recently). Came to public attention in 2006 when U.S. Senator George Allen infamously used it to describe a person of Indian descent. ^[104]

Mack, Mick, Mickey, Mickey Finn

a. (Britain, Commonwealth and U.S.) an Irish person or a person of Irish descent. Mick is considered more offensive in the UK. From the prefix "Mc"/"Mac" meaning "son of" that is commonly found in Irish surnames. b. (Australia) a Roman Catholic [19th century on, from Michael].^[105]

Mock / moch

(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1960s as an abbreviated form of mocky (qv)]^[106]

Mocky / moky / moxy / mockey / mockie / mocky

(U.S.) a Jew [first used in the 1930s]^[107]

Mongolian

(Australia) obsolete: a Chinese immigrant^[108]

Monkey

(UK) a black person.^[109] Also used by white people in Southeast Asia to describe local people.

Munt

(among whites in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) a black person. Derives from muntu, the singular of Bantu^[110]

N

Nazi

(UK) a German

Nigel

(AUS) Used during Vietnam War as derogatory slang for any Vietnamese. Also nigel nog ^[111] See nig nog below.

Nig-nog

(UK) a black person.^[112] - note alternative original mildly derogatory meaning in the UK: "a novice; a foolish or naive person" ^[113]

Nigger / Niger / nig / nigor / nigra / nigre (Caribbean) / nigar / niggor / niggur / nigga / niggah / niggar / nigguh

(U.S., UK) (1) a black person. Can also generally be used toward anyone with brown or darker skin, such as an Indian. From the word negro, which means the color black in several languages. Diminutive appellations include "Nigg", "Nigz" and "'Groid" (from "negroid"). The terms "Nigga" and "Niggaz" (plural) are frequently used between African-Americans and between whites without the negative associations of "Nigger." Use of the word is often perceived as extremely offensive if used by a non-black in any context. In recent times the female term Negress has been used satirically to refer to the recent prevalence of formulaic tokenism in US-made TV dramas. For example: "Every cop show needs one Blond woman who is not dumb, one Negress-with-issues, one quirky but lovable lab nerd and so on..."

(2) By an extension, a member of a socially disadvantaged or regarded as inferior class of persons.^[114]

Nip

(U.S.) A derogatory term for someone of Japanese descent (shortened version of Nipponese, from Japanese name for Japan, Nippon)^[115]

Nipper

A derogatory term for an Asian person, derived from Nip and Nigger ^[116]

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

(CAN) a North American Indian [From the Algonquian word for "friend"].^[117]

O

Ocker

(AUS and NZ) Uncultivated Australian.^[118] Also considered authentic and unaffected.

Oreo

(US) A racial slur for being black on the outside and white on the inside, hinted by the appearance of an Oreo cookie. ^[119]

P

Paddy

(Primarily UK) an Irishman.^[120]

Paki / Pakki

(Primarily UK and Canada, sometimes US and India) a Pakistani or other South Asian. Within the UK, the term originates in Northern England, where large number of Pakistanis arrived in the 1950s and 1960s, and where they and their descendents have settled in cities such as Bradford and Leeds. It is usually considered offensive when used by a non-South Asian in the UK,^{[121] [122]} Referring to someone from India or Afghanistan as a Paki/Pakki is also extremely offensive to the person.

Pepper

(Canada) a French Canadian or French-speaking Québécois^[123]

Pickaninny

(U.S.) a black child. "Pickney" in Jamaica has the same meaning but is considered non-derogatory.

Pikey / piky / piker

(Britain) a. Irish Traveller, b. Gypsy, c. a lower-class person. Sometimes used to refer to an Irish person [19th century on].^[124]

Pocho / pocha

(Southwest U.S., Mexico) adjective: term for a person of Mexican heritage who is partially or fully assimilated into American culture (literally, "over-ripe").^[125] (See also "Chicano")

Polack

a Pole or a person of Polish origin,^[126] from the Polish endonym, Polak (see Name of Poland)

Pom, Pohm, Pommy, Pommie

(AUS/NZ/SA) a British (usually English) immigrant. Some claim it derives from "Prisoner of Mother England", but it probably derives from pomegranate, rhyming slang for "immigrant,^[127] jimmygrant, pommygrant". It is often used irreverently and is usually considered offensive. Many such migrants to Australia call themselves "ten pound poms", because they paid ten pounds for their passage to Australia in the 1950s. Often combined with an adjective, particularly whingeing pom, a reference to migrants who complained about their adopted country. Often used in a sporting (especially cricket and rugby) context, with liberal use of 'pom' and 'aussie' being used by the media; the term is often seen as unoffensive in this context, and instead as light-hearted banter.

Porch monkey

a black person.^[128] Also used in the film Clerks II^[129]

Powder burn

(US) a black person.^[130]

Q

Quashie

a black person.^[131] From the West African name Kwazi, often given to a child born on a Sunday ^[132]

R

Raghead

an ethnic slur used against Arabs, Indian Sikhs and some other peoples, denigrating them for wearing traditional headdress such as turbans or keffiyehs. ^[133]

Redskin

an offensive racial descriptor for Native Americans, controversially used as the name for a professional sports team.^[134]

Roundeye

(English speaking Asians) a white or non-Asian person.^[135]

Russki, Russkie

disparaging for "Russian"^[136] (actually, these are transliterations of the Russian "Русский" for "Russian" and the spelling Russkiy is almost always in a literary context.)

S

Sand Nigger

(U.S.) A derogatory or pejorative term for any person of middle eastern descent.^[137]

Sassenach

(Scotland) - An English person. ^[138]

Sawney

(England, archaic) - A Scottish person, local variant of Sandy, short for "Alexander".^[139]

Seppo, Septic

(Australian/British) An American. (Cockney rhyming slang: Septic tank — Yank)^[140]

Slant

Used as a disparaging term for a person of East Asian birth or descent. ^[141]

Slanteyed

pejorative term for being of Far Eastern origin, a Chinese or Japanese, derived from the term for those who have epicanthic folds ^[142]

Slope, slopehead, slopy, slopey

(U.S. and Aus) a person of Asian (in Australia, especially Vietnamese; in America, especially Chinese) descent.^[143]

Smoked Irish / smoked Irishman

(U.S.) 19th century term for Blacks (intended to insult both Blacks and Irish).^[144]

Snowback

(U.S.) A Canadian immigrant.^[145] (presumably akin to "wetback", a U.S. derogatory term for an individual, usually of Mexican or other Central/South American origin, that illegally enters the U.S across its border with Mexico by wading or swimming the Rio Grande.)

Sooty

a black person [originated in the U.S. in the 1950s]^[146]

Spade

A black person.^[147] recorded since 1928 (OED), from the playing cards suit.

spic, spick, spik, spig, or spigotty

(U.S, U.K) a. a person of Hispanic descent, or a person of actual or presumed Puerto Rican origin whether or not of Hispanic descent. Use of the word is often perceived as extremely offensive if used by a person not of Latino descent in any context. Origin uncertain. First recorded use in 1915. Theories include from "no spik English", but common belief is that it is an abbreviation of "Hispanic" b. the Spanish language.^[148]

Spook

(U.S.) a black person. The Spook Who Sat By the Door is a satirical book (and film) about a token black man (a "spook") recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency who uses his training as a spy (a "spook") to lead a Black nationalist revolution in the United States. The word's ambiguity – a third meaning being a spectre – is an essential part of the plot of Philip Roth's novel The Human Stain.

Sprout

(UK) refers to Belgians, though seldom used.

Square Head

(Quebec, CAN) Derogatory term for English-speakers and people of British-descent.

Squaw

(U.S. and CAN) Often offensive term for female Native American.^[149] The equivalent derisive for a male is "a brave".

T

Taffy or Taff

(UK) a Welsh person. First used ca. 17th century. From the River Taff or the Welsh pronunciation of the name David (in Welsh, Dafydd).^[150] Children's rhyme: "Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief". Generally considered offensive when used by an English person, although it has appeared in such family-friendly series as Dad's Army, where it was used as a lighthearted nickname.

Taig (also Teague, Teg and Teig)

a vitriolic slur used by loyalists in Northern Ireland for members of the nationalist/Catholic/Gaelic community.^{[151] [152]}

Tar baby

(UK; U.S.; and N.Z.) a black child.^[153] See Tar baby.

Teapot

(British) A black person. [1800s]^[154]

Thicklips

a black person.^[155] See Shakespeare's "Othello."

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

a. (Britain and Ireland) an inconsequential person (typically lower class); (note that in Britain, the term "Irish Tinker" may be used, giving it the same meaning as example b.)

b. (Scotland and Ireland) a Gypsy [origin unknown - possibly relating to one of the 'traditional' occupations of Gypsies as travelling 'tinkerers' or repairers of common household objects]^[156]

c. (Scotland) a member of the native community previously itinerant (but mainly now settled) who were reputed for their production of domestic implements from basic materials and for repair of the same items, being also known in the past as "travelling tinsmiths". The slur is possibly derived from a reputation for rowdy and alcoholic recreation. Often wrongly confused with Gypsy/Romany people.

Towel head, also towelhead

a person of Arab descent or "a native of any race that wears a cloth covering on the head". Also rag head ^[157]

U

Uncle Tom

(U.S. minorities) term for an African-American who panders to white people; a "sellout" ^{[citation needed]}(from the title character of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin)

W

West Briton / Westbrit

(Ireland) is for an Irish person who has sympathies toward Britain, or who imitates the English.^[158]

Wetback

(US) Used to describe Mexican illegal immigrants, who allegedly entered the country by swimming the Rio Grande.^[159]

White Nigger / Wigger / Whigger

(US) Used in 19th-century United States to describe the Irish. Used today to demean any White person as being White trash, or an ignorant and uncouth redneck.^[160] Also used to describe white youth that imitate urban black youth by means of clothing style, mannerisms, and slang speech. Also used by radical Quebecois in self-reference, as in the seminal 1968 book White Niggers of America.

Whitey

A term for a white person, commonly used in a derogatory manner.^[161]

Wog

In Australia, the term "wog" is usually used to refer to Mediterranean, Southern European, and Middle Eastern people, such as Italians, Greeks, the Lebanese, and Arabs. However, it can also refer to any swarthy people. In Britain, it usually refers to dark skinned people from Asia or Africa. Possibly derived from "golliwogg"^[162]

Wop

(North America and UK) A racial term for anyone of Italian descent, derived from the Italian dialectism "guappo", close to "dude" and other informal appellations. ^[163]

X

Y

Yank

British expression for any US American. See Yankee below.

Yankee

(1) (U.S.) denotes someone from the northern states, if used by someone from the southern states, and the term is meant to be derogatory. (2) Originally used in the 17th century as a term of contempt and then as a general term for a native of, first New York, then New England. (3) (International outside of U.S.) a person from the United States; the term may be meant as an insult (e.g., "Yankee go home!", or to person originating from the Southern U.S.).

Yid

Used as a derogatory term for Jews by various antisemitic groups.

See also

• Other lists
  • List of ethnic slurs by ethnicity
  • List of ethnic group names used as insults
  • List of regional nicknames
  • List of religious slurs
• Fresh off the boat, a derogatory term for people of foreign nationality, who have arrived in a host nation as tourists, immigrants, students, or most commonly, as work permit applicants.
• Hate speech
• Term of disparagement

Literature

• John A. Simpson, Oxford Dictionary Of Modern Slang ISBN 0-19-861052-1
• John A. Simpson, Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series ISBN 0-19-861299-0
• Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, (2002)
• Richard A. Spears, Slang and Euphemism, (2001)
• Jonathon Green, The Cassell Dictionary of Slang (1998)
• Bruce Moore (editor), The Australian Oxford Dictionary, (2004)
• The New Oxford American Dictionary, second edition. Ed. Erin McKean. (Oxford University Press: 2005.
• The Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. (Oxford University Press: 2004)
• G.A. Wilkes, A Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms (Sydney: Fontana/Collins, 1978)

References

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