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redskin
[ red-skin ]
noun
- a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian.
redskin
/ ˈrɛdˌskɪn /
Sensitive Note
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of redskin1
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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More About Redskin
Why is redskin trending?
On July 3, 2020, searches for redskin increased 3,047% compared to the previous week after calls mounted for the Washington Redskins football team to change its name.
More information on redskin
Amid growing awareness of systemic racism in the U.S. following the George Floyd protests, teams like the Washington Redskins are facing increasing pressure to change their names due to the racism of the word.
While the history of the term redskin is complex (see our Usage Note on this page), the term redskin has clearly become a racist way to refer to Native Americans. In addition to the use of the term as a team name, Native Americans, among others, find the caricatured imagery of Native Americans used in team logos and mascots offensive.
While threats from corporations and investors about pulling their sponsorships have recently dominated headlines over the Washington Redskins name controversy, Native American activists, notably Suzan Shown Harjo, have long called for the name changes.
The ongoing 2020 protests against systemic racism has also sparked change in other names and symbols with racist associations. Learn more in our Trends And News section for our definition page on Dixie as well as our editorial article on the Confederate flag.
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