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squaw

[ skwaw ]

noun

  1. Older Use: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian woman, especially a wife.
  2. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
    1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a wife.
    2. a contemptuous term used to refer to any woman or girl.


squaw

/ skwɔː /

noun

  1. offensive.
    a North American Indian woman
  2. slang.
    a woman or wife
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Sensitive Note

It can be very offensive when members of the dominant culture appropriate piecemeal bits of language to imitate or perform impressions of an ethnic or racial minority. Borrowed words like firewater, squaw, and wigwam, or imitative words like how were once used for comedic effect, but they are now considered insensitive to Native Americans and their cultures.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of squaw1

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; from Massachusett ( English spelling) squa, ussqua “woman, younger woman,” from Proto-Algonquian eθkwe·wa (unattested)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of squaw1

C17: of Algonquian origin; compare Natick squa female creature
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Example Sentences

It was another hour to get to Squaw at that time, on a tough road.

“There are lots of hard-core skiers at Squaw, and KT-22 is their territory,” Jonny continued.

Season: Squaw generally opens on Thanksgiving and remains in operation through the end of April.

Any discussion of Squaw Valley will eventually shift to KT-22 and its environs—“the Mothership,” in local parlance.

Growing up, my nicknames were “Squaw Bitch” and “Indian Nose” due to my part Native American heritage.

At this the chief laughed and said, "Tonka Squaw" meaning brave woman and they left.

This occasioned great mirth among the rest of the Indians who all exclaimed, "Tonka Squaw" and looked at her admiringly.

It is said that the Squaw camped there while her hunter husband went further up the slopes for his game.

The chain and tackle also simplified the work for Hepsy, but we cant say as much of the hauling an Indian Squaw has to do.

"Squaw—papoose—sick," he added, as a last appeal to sympathy.

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