Kanake

Kanake (or Kanacke, Kanaa(c)k; pl. Kanacken or Kanaks/Kanax) is a German ethnic slur for people with roots from Southeast Europe, Middle East, and Northern Africa.[1] It is also used to designate working class and rural people, who are referred to as "Ruhrpottkanaken". Many use it as a derogatory word, but also as a self-denomination.

Additionally, it has been a term referring to members of the Black Seminole Nation of Florida who were often categorized as Melungeon or Mulatto, however, it was not considered to be derogatory by the aforementioned population.

  1. ^ Matthias Heine (2016-04-18), Kanake: Ein Südseewort wurde auf Deutsch zum Schimpfwort – Bedeutung des Lehnworts Kanaka aus Hawaii (in German)