Caribbeans

/ˌkærɪˈbiːənz/ noun

Definition

People from the Caribbean region, or the plural form referring to the nations and territories in that area of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Etymology

From Caribbean, derived from Carib, the indigenous people of the islands. The word 'Carib' comes from the Arawakan language of South America. The -eans suffix was added in English to denote people from a region.

Kelly Says

The Caribs were such fierce warriors that European colonizers feared them greatly—their name actually became the root of the English word 'cannibal' through a process called folk etymology, where 'Carib' sounded like 'cannibal' to European ears.

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