noun
wetback
WEHT-bak
Wetback (noun) means a dated, offensive slur for a Mexican or Central American migrant who has crossed into the US illegally. Example: “The term appears in older news reports but is now widely recognised as a slur and avoided.”
noun
1
A dated, offensive slur for a Mexican or Central American migrant who has crossed into the US illegally.
"The term appears in older news reports but is now widely recognised as a slur and avoided."
How to use wetback
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical, deeply offensive term for undocumented Mexican migrants — best known now, avoided in speech.
When to use it
This word is an ethnic slur. It is included here for reference and historical understanding only, not as a term to use.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wetbacks
Etymology
Coined in the 1920s from the idea of migrants wading or swimming across the Rio Grande, and later used in the name of a 1954 US government deportation campaign.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wetback
See all rhymes for wetback →Frequently asked questions
What does “wetback” mean?
The word “wetback” means a dated, offensive slur for a Mexican or Central American migrant who has crossed into the US illegally. In plain terms, a historical, deeply offensive term for undocumented Mexican migrants — best known now, avoided in speech.
How do you pronounce “wetback”?
“Wetback” is pronounced WEHT-bak (/ˈwɛtbæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “wetback” in a sentence?
Here is “wetback” used in a sentence: “The term appears in older news reports but is now widely recognised as a slur and avoided.”
What part of speech is “wetback”?
“Wetback” is a noun.
Where does the word “wetback” come from?
The word “wetback” dates back to around 1954. Coined in the 1920s from the idea of migrants wading or swimming across the Rio Grande, and later used in the name of a 1954 US government deportation campaign.
