maid, noun
- Origin:
- AfrikaansShow more Calqued on Afrikaans meid female servant, Black woman.
offensive
1. A demeaning term for a Black woman (of any age, and not necessarily in domestic service).
1961 T. Matshikiza Choc. for my Wife 126They laughed into their big police van...‘The maid is now called wife, caw, caw’.
1991 Informant, Grahamstown (now Makhanda, Eastern Cape)Please get me some tomatoes from the maids outside Checkers.
2. combination
1975 Sunday Times 12 Oct. 16This syndrome is as South African as boerewors and pap — or rather, maid’s meat.
A demeaning term for a Black woman (of any age, and not necessarily in domestic service).

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