paleface

paleface
   It was James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) who convinced us that North American Indians address white men as ‘paleface’. The word occurs in The Spy (1821) and subsequent novels such as The Last of the Mohicans.
   H.L.Mencken, in The American Language, says that the term is also used by black Americans to address whites. but the Indian associations remain strongest.
   Many will link the word with Bob Hope, who was a cowardly dentist in The Paleface, a film released in 1948. In Rabbit Redux, by John Updike, the term is used by one white American to another. They have been discussing the Vietnam war and comparing it to a Cherokee uprising. The speaker who uses ‘Paleface’ is taking the part of the Indians and Vietnamese.
   Use of the term in children’s games occurs in Joyce Cary’s short story Growing Up: The two girls, staggering with laughter, threw themselves upon their father. “Paleface - Paleface Robbie. Kill him - scalp him.”’

A dictionary of epithets and terms of address . . 2015.

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  • Paleface — is an an American singer, songwriter, musician, and artist discovered in the early 1990 s at an NYC Anti folk open mic by Danny Fields. He has 13 full length releases under his belt, including two major label releases. His musical journey kicked… …   Wikipedia

  • Paleface — Pale face (p[=a]l f[=a]s ), n. A white person; an appellation supposed to have been applied to the whites by the American Indians. J. F. Cooper. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paleface — ☆ paleface [pāl′fās΄ ] n. a white person: a term believed by some to have been first used by North American Indians …   English World dictionary

  • Paleface Adios — (1969 1989) was a horse, one of the immortals of Australian harness racing, competing as a pacer throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. He raced from 1972 to 1981 (from a 2YO until he was retired as an 11YO). Paleface Adios was foaled on 1… …   Wikipedia

  • paleface — noun Date: 1822 a white person …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • paleface — /payl fays /, n. Slang. a white person, as distinguished from a North American Indian. [1815 25; PALE1 + FACE, expression attributed to North American Indians] * * * …   Universalium

  • paleface — Synonyms and related words: American Indian, Amerind, Australian aborigine, Bushman, Caucasian, Indian, Malayan, Mister Charley, Mongolian, Negrillo, Negrito, Negro, Oriental, Red Indian, WASP, black, black man, blackfellow, boy, brown man,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • paleface — pale|face [ peıl,feıs ] noun count OFFENSIVE a white person. This word is sometimes used as an insult by NATIVE AMERICANS …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • paleface — n. (Slang) derogatory term for a white person (as opposed to an American Indian) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • paleface — noun a name supposedly used by North American Indians for a white person …   English new terms dictionary

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