honest Injun

or hon·est in·jun

[ in-juhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

, Older Use: Often Offensive.

honestly (used to emphasize the truth of a statement).

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Sensitive Note

Honest Injun uses a nonstandard pronunciation spelling of Indian. Popularized by Mark Twain in Tom Sawyer (1876), this expression is now dated and perceived as insulting to American Indians. Though it came to mean “honestly or truly,” the expression may have had its origin in the contrary historical perception that Native Americans were not considered honest or trustworthy until they had proven themselves, for example, as scouts. Indian.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of honest Injun¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; Injun

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Example Sentences

Honest Injun, fellers, he did say he might think of something like that if he didn't get some better soon.

From Project Gutenberg

Grandfather had not actually promised to take themnothing so solemn as honest Injun or Cross my heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Will you promise, honest injun, not to kill or maim him, not to do anything that will injure him permanent?

From Project Gutenberg

Honest Injun, Jack, it's so bad that I find myself writing poetry on the backs of envelopes.

From Project Gutenberg

Youll have to wait a bit, Pete; Im dead broke, honest Injun!

From Project Gutenberg

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