mammy

American  

[mam-ee] / ˈmæm i /

noun

plural

mammies

1. Informal. mother.

2. Disparaging and Offensive. (formerly in the southern United States) a Black woman engaged to take care of white children or as a servant to a white family.

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mammy British  

/ ˈmæmɪ /

noun

1. a child's word for mother 1

2. a Black woman employed as a nurse or servant to a White family

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Sensitive Note

At the time of the Civil War and into the 20th century, the mammy was characterized as being strong, kind, and loyal. But her image was also that of an overweight, unattractive, and often illiterate enslaved household servant. This reinforced the association of this designation with racial stereotypes of inferiority and abject submissiveness. See also Aunt Jemima.

Etymology

Origin of mammy

First recorded in 1515–25; mamm(a) ¹ + -y ²

Example Sentences

Her daughter ask: "Mammy, what should I do?"

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2023

Hattie McDaniel, who played Mammy, a house servant, became the first African American to win an Oscar when she took home the best supporting actress Academy Award.

From The Guardian • Jun. 24, 2020

The first, Hattie McDaniel, won the same prize 51 years earlier for her performance as the slave Mammy in "Gone with the Wind."

From Fox News • Jun. 12, 2020

“A Physical History of Grace” descends directly from Betye Saar’s armed and able Mammy figures.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2019

Mammy sighed through the nose and clenched her teeth.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini