Kike
In modern English language, the word kike (IPA: /ˈkаɪk/) is a negative, offensive term referring to a Jew.
Etymology
The etymology of the term is uncertain. It may be an alteration of a common ending of the personal names of Eastern European Jews who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. The first recorded usage of the term is in 1904.
According to Leo Rosten,
| “ | The word kike was born on Ellis Island when Jewish immigrants who were there were also illiterate (or could not use Latin alphabet letters), when asked to sign the entry-forms with the customary 'X,'* refused, because they associated an X with the cross of Christianity, and instead made a circle. The Yiddish word for 'circle' is kikel (pronounced KY-kul), and for 'little circle,' kikeleh (pronounced ky-kul-uh). Before long the immigration inspectors were calling anyone who signed with an 'O' instead of an 'X' a kikel or kikeleh or kikee or, finally and succinctly, kike. | ” |
According to Rosten, Jewish American merchants continued to sign with an 'O' instead of an 'X' for several decades, spreading the nickname kike wherever they went as a result. At that time kike was more of an affectionate term, used by Jews to describe other Jews, and only developed into an ethnic slur later on.
In his book How the Irish Invented Slang: the Secret Language of the Crossroads, Daniel Cassidy suggests an alternative etymology. Cassidy notes that the Irish Language word Ciabhóg (pronounced k'i'og) was the general term used by the Irish and Irish-Americans to denote the payot of Orthodox Jews. The Irish word Ciabhóg means side-curl, which is what payot are.
Another possible etymology is that the term, derived Greek word for circle, kyklos, referenced the practice of circumcision.
According to Our Crowd, by Stephen Birmingham, the term "kike" was coined as a derogatory putdown by the assimilated American German Jews to identify Eastern-European Jews: "Because many Russian [Jewish] names ended in 'ki', they were called 'kikes'- a German Jewish contribution to the American vernacular. The name then proceeded to be co-opted by Gentiles as is gained prominence in its usage in society, and was later used as a demeaning Anti-Semitic slur.
Another proposed theory is that "kike" is a reference to Isaac; a common Jewish, biblical name.
“Kike” could also stem from the word “keek”, a Yiddish term referring to individuals who were hired by tailors and clothing manufacturers to spy on the new designs in production by their competitors.
In popular culture
Harry Turtledove in his Worldwar series where alien invaders interrupt WWII, in speeches by Nazi German characters, uses "kike" as an English rendering of their German-language derogatory words for Jews.
Michael Jackson caused controversy when he used the term in his song "They Don't Care About Us" in 1995.
The character Wallace from Wallace & Gromit uses this slur to refer to a penguin character in the episode The Wrong Trousers.
The drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket uses this and other slurs to breakdown the recruits.
Translation
The word "Kike" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Indonesian, Malay, Turkish.
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