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Meaning of black Dutch | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

  1. Alternative letter-case form of Black Dutch.
    alt-of
  2. A European with dark hair, eyes, and skin, especially one from or claiming to be from Germany or the Netherlands, sometimes (derogatory, ethnic slur) with disparaging racial overtones.
    US, historical, obsolete
  3. A person passing for such a European, especially Native Americans or people from multiracial families.
    US, historical, obsolete
  4. A Dutch citizen with sub-Saharan African ancestry.
  5. A member of the Sinti ethnic group in North America, especially those of German-Sinti ancestry; an American-Sinti person.
    US

Examples

“The same usage still prevails among the vulgar as in the phrases, 'black Irish', 'black Dutch', describing certain well known types of Celts and Teutons (Hollanders, probably), differing widely from the prevailing type of either race in respect of their black eyes and hair, and gypsy-like, tawny complexions.”
“There are strong indications that the original "Black Dutch" were swarthy-complexioned Germans. Anglo-Americans loosely applied the term to any dark-complexioned American of European descent... By the mid-19th century, the term had become an American colloquialism; a derogative term for anything denoting one's small stature, dark coloring, working-class status, political sentiments or anyone of foreign extract.”
“There are strong indications that the original "Black Dutch" were swarthy-complexioned Germans... The term was adopted [by some] as an attempt to disguise Indian or infrequently, tri-racial descent.”
“Gypsies from Germany, whom de Wendler-Funaro refers to as Chikkeners (Pennsylvania German, from the German Zigeuner), sometimes refer to themselves as 'Black Dutch'.”
“Sinti from Germany and the Netherlands, known as "Black Dutch" or "Chikkeners," in Pennsylvania Dutch (from the German word "Zigeuner"), arrived in the 1800s as well.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

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