Indian Giver
Posted by Bruce Kahl on October 18, 2002
In Reply to: Indian Giver posted by Jamie on October 18, 2002
: Doesn't this phrase carry negative connotations toward Native Americans? Someone please help settle a heated discussion/disagreement I am having with some co-workers!
It sure is
racist.
The phrase dates back to the early 19th century and originally meant
someone who gives a gift in the expectation of receiving something of greater
value in return, which was indeed a custom among Indians that must have struck
early European settlers as rather odd. Later on, the phrase came to mean a "false
gift," as the adjective "Indian" itself took on the pejorative meaning of "false"
or "mock," a sense also found in "Indian Summer" and "Indian corn."
- Indian Giver Barney 10/18/02
- Never heard this meaning Karl
10/18/02
- Ask
and American Indian the meaning of this phrase. Ed Stansell 10/19/02
- Shouldn't it be European-giver Karl 10/21/02
- Ask and American Indian the meaning of this phrase. Silver Surfer 10/20/02
- Ask and American Indian the meaning of this phrase. Ed Stansell 10/22/02
- I
think Ed may have a point Word Camel 10/20/02
- I think Ed may
have a point--He sure does, however... Bruce Kahl 10/21/02
- Maybe it's a "Bobo"
thing Word Camel 10/21/02
- Indian giver Edward Stansell
10/21/02
- Indian giver ESC 10/21/02
- Indian giver Edward Stansell
10/21/02
- Maybe it's a "Bobo"
thing Word Camel 10/21/02
- I think Ed may
have a point--He sure does, however... Bruce Kahl 10/21/02
- Ask
and American Indian the meaning of this phrase. Ed Stansell 10/19/02
- Never heard this meaning Karl
10/18/02