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Vocabulary : Slang : American : honky

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honky American English Offensive

Meaning: a derogatory term in black American slang for a white person

For example:

  • When we were visiting the Apollo Theater in Harlem in New York, a woman passing us on the street said, "What are you honkies doin' round here?"

  • I have a lot of black American friends, and they all say they hate racist language, including anti-white words like "honky".

Note: This is a black American slang term, so while it's useful for learners to know, especially those who like American movies, learners should not consider it a word they'll need to use themselves.

Variety: This slang is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

A person in America who's called a honky will usually be
  1. a black person
  2. an Asian person
  3. a white person

Discuss: honky

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