whitesplain

[ hwahyt-spleyn, wahyt‐ ]

/ ˈʰwaɪtˌspleɪn, ˈwaɪt‐ /

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verb (used with or without object)

(of a white person) to comment on the minority experience or explain racism to a person of color in a condescending or blaming way, as to point out accommodating behaviors that the victim of racism might have adopted to defuse interracial conflict: I know what driving while Black is like, so don't you dare whitesplain it to me!

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare Blacksplain (def. 2).

Origin of whitesplain

First recorded in 2010–15; white + -splain

Words nearby whitesplain

white-slaving, whitesmith, white snakeroot, white space, white spirit, whitesplain, white spruce, white squall, white stick, white stock, white stork