squaw

The term squaw is a noun historically used to refer to North American Indigenous women. Linguistically, the word derives from the Algonquian language family—specifically the Massachusett word ussqua or squa—where it originally functioned as a neutral term meaning "woman" or "younger woman." It was adopted by European colonists in the 17th century and became a common loanword in North American English to distinguish Indigenous women from white settlers.

Perspectives on the term have shifted drastically over time. While some historical texts and older generations may have used the term as a neutral descriptor, it is now widely recognized as an ethnic and sexual slur. By the 19th century, the term had acquired derogatory connotations, often implying inferiority, subservience, or sexual promiscuity. A persistent, though linguistically debunked, folk etymology suggests the word derives from a Mohawk word for female genitalia; while factually incorrect, this belief has reinforced the pain associated with the term. Due to its use in dehumanizing Native women, the U.S. Department of the Interior formally declared the word derogatory in 2021 and initiated efforts to remove it from federal geographic names.

Example:
"The committee voted unanimously to rename Squaw Creek to restore dignity to the local Indigenous history."

Example:
"While the 1850s journal referred to her as a squaw, modern historians refer to her as a prominent matriarch of her tribe."