Related to a group of people who share a common culture, language, history, or ancestry. It is often used to describe cultural traditions, foods, or identities.
From Greek *ethnikos* 'national, foreign', from *ethnos* 'nation, people, tribe'. It originally referred to groups defined by shared customs and origins.
Ethnic started as a word for 'people' or 'nation' and later became a way to talk about cultural identity inside larger countries. The term can celebrate diversity but can also be misused to mark some groups as 'other'. Understanding its history helps explain why 'ethnic food' usually means 'not the dominant group’s food', even though every group has an ethnicity.
'Ethnic' has been used in racialized and othering ways, often marking non‑dominant or non‑white groups as 'ethnic' while treating majority groups as the default. In some contexts, 'ethnic' has been used to stereotype women’s appearance, behavior, or sexuality in specifically gendered ways.
Use 'ethnic' precisely (e.g., 'ethnic background,' 'ethnic group') and avoid using it as a euphemism for 'non‑white' or as a catch‑all descriptor for food, fashion, or people. Prefer naming specific groups or cultures where appropriate.
["cultural","racial or ethnic (when both are relevant)","specific group names (e.g., 'Punjabi,' 'Yoruba')"]
When discussing ethnic groups, include the intersecting gendered experiences within those groups, and avoid exoticizing women or gender minorities as 'ethnic' in contrast to a presumed neutral norm.
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