Injun

American  

[in-juhn] / ˈɪn dʒən /

noun

Older Use: Often Offensive.

1. American Indian; Native American.

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Injun British  

/ ˈɪndʒən /

noun

1. an informal or dialect word for (American) Indian

2. slang  (interjection) genuinely; really

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Sensitive Note

Injun is an informal, nonstandard spelling of Indian. This pronunciation and variant spelling are associated with inauthentic, white representations of Native cultures and speakers. Now considered dated and often offensive, this variant form of Indian is best avoided, except when used to comment on inauthenticity of representation, as in the “Hollywood Injun English” dialogue written for Native characters in older Westerns. See also honest Injun.

Etymology

Origin of Injun

First recorded in 1660–70 as ingins (plural); pronunciation spelling of Indian, with assibilated d; Cajun