act the nigger

phrase

Etymology

Formed from the verb act + the adjective the or a + the noun nigger, with reference to the historical performance of minstrelsy and either a Black person or a white person in blackface performing racial stereotypes for a white audience. See OED act, v., ODAAE nigga.

Meaning & use

Also act a nigger, act the nigger fool, play the nigger

  1. derogatory
    1902–To act foolish or idiotic, to act weak or servile. Ultimately, to act in a manner or fulfilling a role that embarrasses the Black community, especially seen as reinforcing negative and racist stereotypes.
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    1902
    "I mean it, son," he said. "I had to be strong and purposeful to get where I am. I had to wait and plan and lick around...Yes, I had to act the nigger!" he said, adding another fiery, "Yes!"
    Westminster Gazette 25 August 2
    1906
    "How is it that you have changed your colour?" "Oh, Sir, I've been playing the nigger for these last three months."
    W. Owen Letter 15 August 1967 31
    1915
    Nigger no longer refers to a people; it’s an attitude. “Actin’ the nigger’’ means acting like a damn fool. This can mean anyone, but it is used to mean to act like a darky, a coon, a buffoon.
    T. S. Eliot Letter 3 January 1988 I. 77
    1924
    Y’all really acted a nigger fool on my born day last night
    H. Walpole Old Ladies v. 125
    1937
    A comical sort of a felllow...who, being a very good mimic, could act the Nigger admirably...assuming the character while in harbor, and passing himself off...as a black cook belonging on the ship.
    L. Mann Murder in Sydney xi. 133
    1973
    "Ah!" said Mr. Gubbins, rather loftily, "these are my every-day ones—good enough to act a nigger in; but the others are my Sunday best, and I walked here in them, and brought the old ones wtth me along with the other things for the part."
    W. Ihimaera Tangi v. 11
    1977
    What did you show me? You went and played the nigger fool, that's what you did. Now you come in here and want to talk about having mercy because you can't take care of your family.
    Through Wood & Dale 2001 195 in J. Lees-Milne Diary 27 September
    1991
    Act the nigger, v. phr. Do menial work, drudge. "I don't perpose to act the nigger no longer."
    G. Josipovici Big Glass British National Corpus 16

See also

  • nigga
  • coonery and buffoonery
  • minstrel show