mammies

Meanings

• noun

  A term used primarily in the context of American history, referring to African American women who worked as domestic servants in the southern United States before the Civil War.

  - "The depiction of mammies in art and literature has been a subject of much debate."
  - "Mammies were an integral part of plantation life in the antebellum South."

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Variants

List of all variants of mammies that leads to same result
mammies , mammy

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The origin of the term 'mammies' is believed to derive from the English word 'mammy', meaning 'wet nurse'. In the context of American history, the term came to be used to refer to African American women who worked as domestic servants, particularly those who were old, maternal figures.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'mammies' first gained widespread usage in the 1830s and 1840s, during the height of the antebellum period.

2. The stereotypical portrayal of mammies in American culture has been criticized for perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes and reinforcing the idea of African Americans as subservient and inferior.

3. The term 'mammies' has also been used in more recent times to refer to African American women who continue to work as domestic servants, although this usage is less common and more controversial.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Aunt Jemima: A popular brand of pancake mix and syrup that was named after a stereotypical representation of a mammie figure.

2. Mammy Wars: A term used to refer to the debates and controversies surrounding the portrayal of mammies in American culture, particularly in the context of literature and art.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Mammies have been a significant cultural symbol in American history, particularly in the context of the antebellum South. They were often depicted in art, literature, and other forms of media as loyal, devoted, and maternal figures who were content in their role as servants. This stereotype has been criticized for its perpetuation of harmful racial stereotypes and its portrayal of African Americans as subservient and inferior.

How to Memorize "mammies"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a scene from the antebellum South, with a older African American woman in a traditional dress, cooking in the kitchen of a plantation house.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the term 'mammies' with the image of a maternal, subservient African American woman from the antebellum South.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the acronym 'M-A-M-M-I-E' to remember the meaning: 'Maternal African American Mother in Antebellum Servitude'.

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