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; cf. Cajun

Example Sentences

Bainbridge, who researched the representation of indigenous people in Hollywood for her documentary Reel Injun, said no nation sported the thin headband worn by hippies.

From The Guardian • Jul. 19, 2017

In addition to replacing the N-word, Gribben changes the villain in "Tom Sawyer" from "Injun Joe" to "Indian Joe" and "half-breed" becomes "half-blood."

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2011

Reel Injun, for example, looks at a century of Hollywood Native Americans, while Bran Nue Dae turns Australian Aboriginal suffering into a comedy musical.

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2010

She spoke Thursday during a presentation to TV critics on "Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian," a documentary airing in November on the "Independent Lens" series.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2010

He didn't seem to hear the chairman's word, fer he was gazin' through the dirty winder, out inter the storm, an' away to the Injun village beyond.

From The Frontiersman A Tale of the Yukon by Cody, H. A. (Hiram Alfred)