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redskin

[ red-skin ]

noun

, Older Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
  1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian.


redskin

/ ˈrɛdˌskɪn /

noun

  1. an old-fashioned informal name, now considered taboo, for a Native American


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Sensitive Note

The date and origin of this term is in dispute. Evidence seems to show that in the 1760s, French colonists in the Mississippi Valley translated a Native American spoken term into the French language as peau rouge , which was then translated into English as redskin. Through the early part of the 19th century, American Indians continued to use their Native word self-referentially, and it was translated into spoken and written English as redskin with no derogatory connotations, even as a term of respect. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, within the historical context of white-Indian hostilities, use of the term redskin was associated with attitudes of contempt and condescension. By the 1960s, redskin had declined in use and is now understood to be offensive.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of redskin1

?1760–70; red 1 + skin; probably loan translation of French peau rouge , itself translated from an American Indian term

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Word History and Origins

Origin of redskin1

C17: so called because one particular tribe, the now extinct Beothuks of Newfoundland, painted themselves with red ochre

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Example Sentences

Is the word Redskin somehow uniquely inoffensive among racial and ethnic slurs?

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, “Redskin” is labeled “usually offensive.”

Now, I should note: Redskin is not the equivalent of the N word, as some are saying.

Primary opponent Clint Didier, a former Washington Redskin, has proven difficult to woo thus far.

Every Injun I see, big or little, resembles some redskin I had trouble with, back in early days.

The drawbridge is raised and the portcullis closed, so that a thieving Redskin would find it a hard matter to make his way in.

Silently the redskin turned away and disappeared into the path.

Red Ben went back on us, may the fiends take the redskin cur!

"Sit down," invited the redskin, motioning toward the ground at his side.

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Red Sindhired snapper