buckra

American  

[buhk-ruh] / ˈbʌk rə /

noun

Southern U.S. (chiefly South Atlantic States).

1. Usually Disparaging and Offensive. a term used to refer to a white man.

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buckra British  

/ ˈbʌkrə /

noun

1. (used contemptuously by Black people, esp in the US) a White man

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Etymology

Origin of buckra

First recorded in 1685–90; of uncertain origin; often alleged to be from Efik m̀bakára “white man”; compare Jamaican English backra, and earlier English spellings bochara, bacceroe, backearary

Example Sentences

Guess he tinks himself buckra ossifer and bery fine genelman, now de captin take um into cabin, sure; but, he no rale genelman to turn up nose at um ole frens!

From Tom Finch's Monkey and How he Dined with the Admiral by Anonymous

Her was a Adamson befo' her marry old marster, a grand big buckra.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves South Carolina Narratives, Part 4 by Work Projects Administration

Him 'pears gwine to curse de buckra man, but de angel put har han' ober him moufh, an' say suffin' to him.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol 3 No 3, March 1863 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

Dis here buckra gentleman from Englan', him come 'quiring in de cemetry after de grabe of pusson dat dead before de great earthquake.

From The Beckoning Hand and Other Stories by Allen, Grant

Yas, sar; gib um sleep-drop to make buckra massa hol' still twell we could tote 'im froo de window an' 'roun' de house an' up de sta'r.

From The Master of Appleby A Novel Tale Concerning Itself in Part with the Great Struggle in the Two Carolinas; but Chiefly with the Adventures Therein of Two Gentlemen Who Loved One and the Same Lady by Lynde, Francis