Spade
Noir detective surname
A spade is a digging tool with a flat, rectangular blade—distinguished from a shovel by its straighter edge.
Call a spade a spade means to speak bluntly.
In cards, spades are the suit marked with black pointed leaves.
As a racial slur for a Black person, spade is offensive, derived from the phrase "black as the ace of spades."
Tool for moving earth
- digUnearth by shoveling
- gardenCultivated plant area
- trowelFlat blade for spreading
- soilGround matter for planting
blade · handle · earth · digging · gardening · excavate · scoop · dirt
Expressing criticism or disrespect
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- racialConcerning ethnic origin
- insultOffensive remark or action
suit
Matched formal garments
clubs · hearts · diamonds · black · playing · bridge · poker · trick · shuffle · deal
shovel
Tool for moving earth
soil · blade · handle · earth · digging · gardening · excavate · scoop · dirt · fork
derogatory
Expressing criticism or disrespect
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- racialConcerning ethnic origin
insult · epithet · racist · taboo · vulgar · disparaging · slang
Spadeeuphemism
Mild substitute for bluntness
circumlocution · beating around the bush · sugarcoating · diplomatic language · doublespeak
- ace of spadesPointed black trump
- queen of spadesHighest-ranking female spade
- in spadesTo an extreme degree
- calls a spade a spadeUses direct, unvarnished language
- king of spadesRoyal card, pointed suit
- jack of spadesFace card, dark suit
spades, spaded, spading, spadeful, spadework, spadelike, spadefuls