wetback

English

Wikipedia

Pronunciation

• enPR: wĕtbăk, IPA: /wɛtbæk/, SAMPA: /wEtb{k/

Etymology

First used in 1920s from the presumed effects of swimming or wading across the Rio Grande. Used by the U.S. Government in 1954 with Operation Wetback.

Noun

wetback (plural wetbacks)

1. (derogatory slang) A Mexican or Central American who illegally enters the United States of America from its southern border.
2. (derogatory slang) A person of the Mestizo race, used interchangeably with the Spanish term mojado.

Translations

Mexican or Central American who illegally enters the United States

Spanish: mojado (es), espalda mojada (es)

person of the Mestizo race

See also

• illegal alien
• illegals