Re: Redskin

Posted by R. Berg on April 01, 2002

In Reply to: RedSkin posted by Jen on April 01, 2002

: Redskin is a racial slur today, but what was the logic behind the word's origin? Because Indians scalped their victim, I'm assuming this has something to do with it's origin. Doesn't anyone know?

The origin had to do with skin color (or supposed skin color), not blood. Under "redskin," the Oxford English Dictionary refers the reader to one of the definitions for "red": "Having (or regarded as having) a reddish skin." People of other races are similarly called black, white, or yellow, equally unrealistically.
The earliest quotation in the OED for "redskin" is "Ye first Meeting House was solid mayde to withstande ye wicked onsaults of the Red Skins" .

• R. Berg Jen 04/02/02
  • Re: Me, and methodology R. Berg 04/02/02
    • About the OED R. Berg 04/02/02
      • Fact vs Fancy Word Camel 04/03/02
        • Re: Input to the next OED R. Berg 04/03/02
          • 500, eh? Word Camel 04/03/02
      • Re: About the OED Jen 04/02/02
• Re: Redskin TheFallen 04/01/02
  • Re: Redskin Jen 04/01/02
    • Re: Redskin Word Camel 04/01/02
      • Re: Redskin Jen 04/01/02
        • Re: Redskin R. Berg 04/02/02
          • Re: Redskin ESC 04/02/02
            • Los Indios, Indians, Savage, Noble Savage, Native American ESC 04/03/02
              • Re: Los Indios, Indians, Savage, Noble Savage, Native American Marian 04/03/02
                • Re: "Indians" R. Berg 04/03/02
                  • Re: "Indians" ESC 04/03/02
                    • Re: "Indians" TheFallen 04/03/02
                      • Re: George ESC 04/03/02
                        • Re: India/Hindustan R. Berg 04/03/02