kaffir corn
Very Low / ObsoleteHistorical/Taboo
Definition
Meaning
A type of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) characterized by small, hard, white, red, or brown seeds.
Historically used as a staple cereal crop in parts of Africa. The term is now considered highly offensive and obsolete due to its etymological origin in a South African racial slur.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plant itself is a variety of sorghum. The term has fallen completely out of acceptable use in both scientific and general English due to its offensive component. The neutral modern term is 'sorghum' or specific cultivar names.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No current usage difference; the term is uniformly avoided in both varieties. Historically, it might have been slightly more encountered in British English due to colonial connections.
Connotations
Extremely offensive and racist due to the word 'kaffir'.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora. Found only in historical texts or discussions of offensive language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The farmers] grew [kaffir corn] [in the dry region].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies discussing problematic terminology. In agriculture, 'sorghum' is used.
Everyday
Not used due to offensiveness.
Technical
The technical term is 'Sorghum bicolor'. The offensive common name is obsolete.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We do not use that old word; we say sorghum.
- Historical records mention a crop called kaffir corn, now known as sorghum.
- Due to its offensive etymology, 'kaffir corn' has been entirely supplanted by 'sorghum' in agricultural discourse.
- The lexicographical treatment of 'kaffir corn' exemplifies how societal change can render a technical term obsolete and unacceptable.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Avoid this term entirely; remember 'sorghum' for the grain.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Прямой перевод "кафрская кукуруза" является устаревшим и оскорбительным. Используйте "сорго".
Common Mistakes
- Using the term 'kaffir corn' in modern writing or speech.
- Confusing it with maize (corn).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'kaffir corn' is no longer used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is considered highly offensive. Use the scientific name Sorghum bicolor or the common name 'sorghum'.
Sorghum or grain sorghum.
It is a profoundly derogatory term for black Africans, particularly in South Africa, with a history of use under apartheid.
It may appear in historical or unabridged dictionaries with usage labels like 'offensive', 'dated', or 'obsolete'. It is absent from learners' and most modern standard dictionaries.