DictionarypasserPerceived social membership
noun

passer

A person accepted by others as belonging to a particular social category.

As a racial passer, she is usually perceived as white.

Etymology

Pass developed the idea of being accepted as genuine or belonging to a category. Passer names a person who gains that social recognition from others.

More examples

  • He describes himself as a class passer in wealthy social circles.
  • Some passers feel pressure to hide parts of their family history.
  • Being a passer does not always involve deliberately misleading anyone.

Forms

passer · passers

pass verb — To be accepted as belonging to a category.