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Glite Dictionary
Hanoi Jane

Hanoi Jane

1 9.9
A negative nickname for Jane Fonda because she visited Hanoi during the Vietnam War
  • noun
  • /həˈnɔɪ ˈdʒeɪn/
  • Offensive
: Hanoi Jane
  • Critics often call Jane Fonda Hanoi Jane to highlight her opposition to the Vietnam War and her visit to Hanoi.

Examples

  • Many veterans still refer to her as Hanoi Jane because of her controversial visit to North Vietnam during the war.

  • By the way, where are the famous pictures of Hanoi Jane committing treason?

    Blog text (27)

  • The nickname Hanoi Jane reflects the strong disapproval some Americans felt towards Jane Fonda's anti-war activism.

Synonyms

Jane Fonda
vsHanoi Jane
26 4.6

An American actress and political activist who was a fashion model

is a disparaging nickname referring to her antiwar activism and Hanoi visit

Surface Forms

Hanoi Jane singular

Morphology

Hanoi + Jane

This is a culturally specific disparaging nickname whose meaning depends on historical knowledge of Jane Fonda's visit to Hanoi and her political stance. The literal parts ('Hanoi' the city + the personal name 'Jane') do not transparently signal criticism or the biographical reference, so a B1 learner knowing the words would not be able to derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Hanoi Jane began as a hurtful nickname after actress Jane Fonda visited the city of Hanoi during the Vietnam War and appeared in photos and interviews there. Many Americans saw her actions as helping the enemy, so people used the name as an insult, meaning 'someone who sided with the enemy'.