Kaffir

[ kaf-er, kah-fer ]

noun

, plural Kaf·firs, (especially collectively) Kaf·fir.

1. Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. (in South Africa) a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person: originally used of the Xhosa people only.
2. none kaf·fir. kafir ( def 4 ).
3. none kaf·fir. Islam. kafir ( def 2 ).

Kaffir

/ ˈkæfə /

noun

1. taboo.
   (in southern Africa) any Black African
2. offensive.
   (among Muslims) a non-Muslim or infidel

Usage

In South Africa the use of this word is nowadays completely taboo, and is indeed actionable in the courts. It is also advisable not to use the word in any of the compounds to which it gave rise

Sensitive Note

In reference to a Black person, Kaffir was a neutral term during the colonial period, but in post-apartheid South Africa it is considered hate speech, to be avoided by using the euphemistic K-word, much like the N-word.

Other Words From

• non-Kaf·fir noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kaffir¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Arabic kāfir “unbeliever, skeptic”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kaffir¹

C19: from Arabic kāfir infidel, from kafara to deny, refuse to believe