whitesplain

[ hwahyt-spleyn, wahyt‐ ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. (of a white person) to comment on the minority experience or explain racism to a person of color in a condescending or blaming way, as to point out accommodating behaviors that the victim of racism might have adopted to defuse interracial conflict:

   I know what driving while Black is like, so don't you dare whitesplain it to me!

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitesplain¹

First recorded in 2010–15; white ( def ) + -splain ( def )

Example Sentences

“Most of my secure, senior colleagues—white men—encourage gradualism, and whitesplain to me that ‘change takes time.’”

From Science Magazine

“Most of my secure, senior colleagues—white men—encourage gradualism, and whitesplain to me that ‘change takes time.’

From Science Magazine

Halisi Vinson, executive director of the Colorado Democratic Party, said Hanks‘ comments were a way to “whitesplain the historical experience of Black people.”

From Washington Times

Halisi Vinson, executive director of the Colorado Democratic Party, said Hanks’ comments were a way to “whitesplain the historical experience of Black people.”

From Seattle Times

But when Anderson called it a “llama,” and Kimmel corrected him, he snapped, “Don’t whitesplain to me, Jimmy! It should have been a pit bull. But no, not tonight!”

From Los Angeles Times