Golliwogg

/ˈɡɑl.i.wɑɡ/ noun

Definition

An alternate spelling of golliwog; a toy or character with a racist caricature design from colonial-era children's literature.

Etymology

Variant spelling of golliwog, the 19th-century toy character name. Both spellings emerged from the original coinage.

Kelly Says

The fact that this word has multiple spellings actually makes it harder to distance ourselves from it—the variant spellings spread the harmful imagery across more contexts and memories.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Variant spelling of golliwog; same racist minstrelsy heritage as the primary form.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid in all contemporary usage. Use only in historical-critical analysis with full context.

Inclusive Alternatives

["antique toy","minstrelsy caricature","historical racist artifact"]

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