towelhead
Towelhead is a slur for people of Middle Eastern, South Asian, or Muslim background, referencing traditional head coverings like turbans, keffiyehs, or hijabs.
The term surged in American usage after September 11, 2001, often directed indiscriminately at anyone perceived as Arab or Muslim: Some drunk at the bar called him a towelhead.
Deeply offensive.
- turbanWrapped cloth headdress
- slurInsulting group label
- scarfNeck-warming fabric strip
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- ignoranceAbsence of knowledge
insult · xenophobe · terrorist · stereotype · stigma · intolerance · racism · raghead · fear · anger · foreigner · shame · spit · cloth · wrap · sweat · stare · frown