noun
spade
An offensive slur for a Black person.
The historical account identifies spade as an offensive racial slur.
Etymology
The racist insult invokes the black spade symbol on playing cards. That color association supplied the slur’s derogatory reference.
More examples
- The editor annotated spade to explain its racist use.
- She condemned the speaker's use of spade.
- The lesson distinguishes the racial insult spade from ordinary tool and card meanings.
Forms
spade · spades