towelheads
Towelhead is a highly offensive slur targeting people of Middle Eastern, South Asian, or Muslim background, referencing the turbans, keffiyehs, or other head coverings worn in those cultures.
The term gained wider currency in American English following the September 11 attacks and is used to express contempt or hostility.
Like other ethnic slurs based on clothing or appearance, it reduces people to a single stereotyped feature.
He was called a towelhead by classmates after 9/11.
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- xenophobicFearing or hating outsiders
- hatefulArousing strong dislike
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- headgearCoverings for the skull
ragheads · stereotype · prejudice · slur · towelhead · racism · Middle Eastern · turban · insults · offenses · vilification · dehumanization · prejudices · discrimination · xenophobia · stereotypes · xenophobia · offenses