squaw

[ skwaw ]

noun

1. Older Use: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian woman, especially a wife.
2. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
   1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a wife.
   2. a contemptuous term used to refer to any woman or girl.

squaw

/ skwɔː /

noun

1. offensive.
   a North American Indian woman
2. slang.
   a woman or wife

Sensitive Note

It can be very offensive when members of the dominant culture appropriate piecemeal bits of language to imitate or perform impressions of an ethnic or racial minority. Borrowed words like firewater, squaw, and wigwam, or imitative words like how were once used for comedic effect, but they are now considered insensitive to Native Americans and their cultures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of squaw¹

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; from Massachusett ( English spelling) squa, ussqua “woman, younger woman,” from Proto-Algonquian eθkwe·wa (unattested)

Word History and Origins

Origin of squaw¹

C17: of Algonquian origin; compare Natick squa female creature

Example Sentences

It was another hour to get to Squaw at that time, on a tough road.

From The Daily Beast

“There are lots of hard-core skiers at Squaw, and KT-22 is their territory,” Jonny continued.

From The Daily Beast

Season: Squaw generally opens on Thanksgiving and remains in operation through the end of April.

From The Daily Beast

Any discussion of Squaw Valley will eventually shift to KT-22 and its environs—“the Mothership,” in local parlance.

From The Daily Beast

Growing up, my nicknames were “Squaw Bitch” and “Indian Nose” due to my part Native American heritage.

From The Daily Beast

At this the chief laughed and said, "Tonka Squaw" meaning brave woman and they left.

From Project Gutenberg

This occasioned great mirth among the rest of the Indians who all exclaimed, "Tonka Squaw" and looked at her admiringly.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that the Squaw camped there while her hunter husband went further up the slopes for his game.

From Project Gutenberg

The chain and tackle also simplified the work for Hepsy, but we cant say as much of the hauling an Indian Squaw has to do.

From Project Gutenberg

"Squaw—papoose—sick," he added, as a last appeal to sympathy.

From Project Gutenberg