Jim Crow

or jim crow

noun

1. a practice or policy of segregating or discriminating against Black people, as in public places, public vehicles, or employment.
2. Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.

adjective

1. favoring or supporting a segregationist or discriminatory policy of Jim Crow.
2. for Black people only:

   a Jim Crow school.

jim crow

/ ˈdʒɪm ˈkrəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the policy or practice of segregating Black people
   2. ( as modifier )

      jim-crow laws

2. 1. a derogatory term for a Black person
   2. ( as modifier )

      a jim-crow saloon

3. an implement for bending iron bars or rails
4. a crowbar fitted with a claw

Jim Crow

1. A descriptive term for the segregation of institutions, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and the like. It also refers to the laws that required racial segregation.

Derived Forms

• ˈjim-ˈcrowism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jim Crow¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; so called from the name of a song sung by Thomas Rice (1808–60) in a minstrel show

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jim Crow¹

C19: from Jim Crow, name of song used as the basis of an act by Thomas Rice (1808–60), American entertainer

Example Sentences

These voter id laws merely represent the latest attempt to prevent ethnic minorities from voting, a campaign that dates back at least to the jim crow era in the south.

From New York Times

If we did what you say, then jim crow and interracial marriage would still be debated to this day and they would never have the rights.

From New York Times

I shall travel in the jim crow coach with Tom.

From Project Gutenberg