mammy

[ mam-ee ]
/ ˈmæm i /

noun, plural mam·mies.

Informal. mother1.
Disparaging and Offensive. (formerly in the southern U.S.) a black woman engaged as a nurse to white children or as a servant to a white family.

Origin of mammy

First recorded in 1515–25; mamm(a)1 + -y2

usage note for mammy

At the time of the Civil War and into the 20th century, the Southern mammy was characterized as being strong, kind, and loyal. But her image was also that of an overweight, unattractive, and often illiterate household slave. This reinforced racial stereotypes of inferiority and servility. See also Aunt Jemima.

Words nearby mammy

mammoth, mammoth cave national park, mammotomy, mammotropic, mammula, mammy, mammy chair, mammy wagon, mamoncillo, mamoré, mampara

British Dictionary definitions for mammies

mammy

mammie

/ (ˈmæmɪ) /

noun plural -mies

a child's word for mother 1
mainly Southern US a Black woman employed as a nurse or servant to a White family