buckra

[ buhk-ruh ]

noun

, Southern U.S. (chiefly South Atlantic States).

1. Usually Disparaging and Offensive. a term used to refer to a white man.

buckra

/ ˈbʌkrə /

noun

1. (used contemptuously by Black people, esp in the US) a White man

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckra¹

First recorded in 1685–90; of uncertain origin; often alleged to be from Efik m̀bakára “white man”; compare Jamaican English backra, and earlier English spellings bochara, bacceroe, backearary

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckra¹

C18: probably from Efik mba-ka-ra master

Example Sentences

But “buckra,” a derogatory word for white men, becomes the more straightforward “blanco” and “die Weissen.”

From New York Times

And the men now call me Buckra, which is their word for a white man; for having seen me read, they say that I am a white man hidden in a black skin.

From Literature

I wished to speak to him of my silence; of my name, Buckra; but he was so giddy, his hands strapped about his knees, rocking, that I could not.

From Literature

He wished me luck, calling me Buckra, and I wished him luck, calling him Slant; and then we fell silent, and awaited our turn, biding our time in that endless queue that convolved there in the night stockade.

From Literature

No sooner had he and I settled beside one another, than Bono was asked with surprise, “You friend of Buckra, before you come to Lord Dunmore?”

From Literature