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Indian giver

Posted by Chris on February 05, 2003

Contrary to the definition in the site's entry, the phrase "indian giver" is used in the U.S. to mean a person who gives something and later takes it back.

I assume that the origin is derogatory toward American Indians, but would more aptly describe the actions of the American government which "gave" the Indians areas of land by treaty and later took it back.

The American Heritage Dictionary confirms the definition.

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