schvartze

[ shvahr-tsuh; English shvahrt-suh ]

/ ˈʃvɑr tsə; English ˈʃvɑrt sə /

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noun Yiddish: Usually Disparaging and Offensive.

a term used by some Jewish people to refer to a Black person.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also shvartz·e

[shvahr-tsuh; English shvahr-tsuh], /ˈʃvɑr tsə; English ˈʃvɑr tsə/, schvartz·er

[shvahr-tsuhr; English shvahr-tser] /ˈʃvɑr tsər; English ˈʃvɑr tsər/ .

Origin of schvartze

First recorded in 1960–65; from Yiddish shvarts “black”; compare German schwartz

usage note for schvartze

Schvartze was used through the 1960s (and even later by the older generation) to refer specifically to a Black housekeeper or servant. The term was not always used contemptuously; in fact, the Yiddish noun is derived from a merely descriptive adjective meaning "black" (German schwarz ). However, schvartze has been categorized by some as an inside “code word,” a less transparent equivalent of nigger, and so the term has fallen into disrepute.

Words nearby schvartze

Schütz, Schutzstaffel, Schuyler, Schuylerville, Schuylkill, schvartze, schwa, Schwaben, schwag, Schwann, Schwann cell