jungle fever

[ juhng-guhl fee-ver ]

noun

1. Pathology. a severe variety of malarial fever occurring in the East Indies and the tropics.
2. Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a person’s preference for a sexual or romantic relationship that is interracial, especially the preference of a white person for a Black partner.

jungle fever

noun

1. a serious malarial fever occurring in the East Indies

Word History and Origins

Origin of jungle fever¹

First recorded in 1795–1805, and in 1960–65 jungle fever fordef 2

Example Sentences

The filmmaker paid his respects to the legendary actress, who starred in his films Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever.

From The Daily Beast

According to your logic I should not have Written and Directed JUNGLE FEVER because I have never lived in HARLEM and BENSONHURST.

From The Daily Beast

She had gained promotion through jungle fever, which had carried her off in three days.

From Project Gutenberg

The Indians seldom have jungle fever or malaria and if the mosquitoes do bite them there are no bad effects.

From Project Gutenberg

A severe cold is a very dangerous thing in this country, often bringing on jungle-fever.

From Project Gutenberg

During this campaign he had been shot in the shoulder and had had a severe attack of jungle fever.

From Project Gutenberg

The jungle fever, of which the fatal seeds had been sown at Seringapatam, attacked him after a few days.

From Project Gutenberg