mammy

word

Definition

A colloquial term for 'mother' in Ireland and parts of the UK; also, a dated and offensive term for a Black woman caring for children in white families in 19th–20th century America.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and mainly used in Ireland for 'mother'. In the US context, 'mammy' is outdated and highly offensive due to its ties to racial stereotypes; it should be avoided. Not used in reference to any mother in modern American English.

Spanish: madre (coloquial) - mamá (irlanda) - cuidadora negra (histórico, peyorativo)Portuguese (BR): mamãe (regional, Irlanda) - babá negra (histórico, pejorativo)Portuguese (PT): mamã (regional, Irlanda) - ama negra (histórico, pejorativo)Chinese (Simplified): 妈妈（爱尔兰，口语）- 黑人保姆（历史，贬义）Chinese (Traditional): 媽媽（愛爾蘭，口語）- 黑人保姆（歷史，貶義）Hindi: मम्मी (आयरिश, अनौपचारिक) - अश्वेत आया (ऐतिहासिक, नकारात्मक)Arabic: مامي (إيرلندا، غير رسمي) - مربية سوداء (تاريخي، سلبي)Bengali: ম্যামি (আয়ারল্যান্ড, কথ্য) - কালো ধাত্রী (ঐতিহাসিক, নেতিবাচক)Russian: мэмми (ирландское, разговорное — мама) - чернокожая кормилица (исторически, уничижительно)Japanese: マミー（アイルランド、口語）- 黒人乳母（歴史的、差別的）Vietnamese: mammy (tiếng Ireland, thân mật) - bảo mẫu da đen (lịch sử, nghĩa tiêu cực)Korean: 맘미(아일랜드, 구어체 어머니) - 흑인 유모(역사적, 비하적)Turkish: mammy (İrlanda'da anne için argo) - siyahi bakıcı kadın (tarihi, aşağılayıcı)Urdu: میّمی (آئرلینڈ، غیر رسمی) - سیاہ فام آیا (تاریخی، منفی)Indonesian: mammy (Irlandia, informal untuk ibu) - pengasuh kulit hitam (sejarah, merendahkan)

Example Sentences

My mammy makes the best soup in the world.

basic

I called out for my mammy when I was scared.

basic

In some Irish homes, children say mammy instead of 'mom'.

basic

You can't beat my mammy's apple pie—it's famous around here!

natural

Back in old movies, you sometimes hear the word mammy, but it's not really used today.

natural

Don't use the word mammy in America—it has a very offensive history.

natural