spic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TabooOffensive Slang
Quick answer
What does “spic” mean?
A highly offensive ethnic slur for a person of Hispanic or Latino descent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly offensive ethnic slur for a person of Hispanic or Latino descent.
Occasionally used historically as offensive slang for a Spanish-speaking person in the United States.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is of US origin and is primarily associated with American English, but its recognition and offensiveness are global due to media influence.
Connotations
Extremely offensive, racist, derogatory.
Frequency
Almost never used in public, polite, or mainstream discourse. Its occurrence is limited to contexts of hate speech, historical analysis, or discussions of slurs.
Grammar
How to Use “spic” in a Sentence
used as a noun (a spic)Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unacceptable and never used.
Academic
May appear only in sociological or linguistic analysis of slurs and hate speech.
Everyday
Unacceptable and never used in polite conversation.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spic”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spic”
- The biggest mistake is using it at all. Learners might hear it in old films and mistakenly think it is acceptable modern slang. It is not.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is universally considered a highly offensive racial slur and is never acceptable in polite or professional discourse.
It is an American English slur, likely originating from 'spic and span' (a cleaning product slogan) misapplied to mock Spanish speakers saying 'No speak English' as 'No spik English'. Its etymology is derogatory.
No. Its use in media is typically to depict a character's racism or a historical context. It does not rehabilitate the word for general use.
Use respectful, specific terms like 'Hispanic', 'Latino', 'Mexican American', 'Cuban', etc., depending on the context and the individual's preference.
A highly offensive ethnic slur for a person of Hispanic or Latino descent.
Spic is usually offensive slang in register.
Spic: in British English it is pronounced /spɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Do not create a mnemonic for this word. It is a harmful slur best forgotten.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable; it functions as a direct label of denigration.
Practice
Quiz
How should a learner of English treat the word 'spic'?