pickaninny

or pic·a·nin·ny, pic·ca·nin·ny

[ pik-uh-nin-ee ]

noun

, Older Use: Now Offensive.

, plural pick·a·nin·nies.

1. a term used to refer to a Black child.

pickaninny

/ ˌpɪkəˈnɪnɪ /

noun

1. See piccaninny
   a variant spelling (esp US) of piccaninny

Sensitive Note

Pickaninny is a dated term, originally used in a neutral or even affectionate way in the West Indies, but now perceived as insulting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pickaninny¹

First recorded in 1645–55; probably ultimately from Portuguese pequenino, diminutive of pequeno “small”; as a word for “small child,” pickaninny and its variants are widespread in English-based creoles of the New World and West Africa; compare Jamaican English pickney, West African English pickin “small child”

Example Sentences

Piccaninny, Pickaninny, pik′a-nin-i, n. a little child: an African or negro child.

From Project Gutenberg

Having bought a fowl from a native in a canoe, the native asked me if I wanted “Pickaninny stop along him fella.”

From Project Gutenberg

Presently a Pickaninny came along with a small keg in his hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Just as I got out there came along the Pickaninny that had gone over on the rainbow.

From Project Gutenberg