picaninny
1
9.9
A rude, racist word for a Black child used to insult people
- noun
- /ˌpɪkəˈnɪni/
- Slur
:
[término ofensivo para niño negro]
- In the discussion, he criticized the use of picaninny, highlighting its racist implications.
Examples
-
I be's the best cotton-picking picaninny this side of Jubilee.
-
The children's book used the term picaninny in a way that many found offensive and outdated.
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Historically, the word picaninny was used to refer to Black children, often in a derogatory manner.
Surface Forms
picaninny singular
picaninnies plural
Etymology
Picaninny probably comes from the Portuguese word pequenino ('very small') and the West African pidgin word pikin ('child'). It began as a way to say 'small child' but in English it became an extremely offensive racial slur for Black children, so it must never be used.