darky

or dark·ie

[ dahr-kee ]

noun

, Older Use: Now Offensive.

, plural dark·ies.

1. a term used to refer to a Black person.

darky

/ ˈdɑːkɪ /

noun

1. an offensive word for a Black person
2. an offensive word for a native Australian

Sensitive Note

The earliest uses of darky in English were sentimental, probably affectionate in intent, although it is likely that even then, those who were addressed or referred to by the term found it patronizing. For example, the lyrics of Stephen Foster's song My Old Kentucky Home (1853) refer with nostalgia to happy “darkies.” But by the early part of the 20th century, the term had become increasingly offensive and unacceptable. Current versions of the Foster lyrics refer instead to “people.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of darky¹

First recorded in 1765–75; dark + -y ²