Bimbo

See also: bimbo, BIMBO, and bimbó

German

Etymology

Uncertain. Probably of onomatopoeic origin, imitating an African language, and thus unrelated with English bimbo. First attested 1896 in Detlev von Liliencron's epic Poggfred.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɪmbo/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Bimbo m (genitive Bimbos, plural Bimbos)

1. (offensive, ethnic slur) nigger (dark-skinned person, especially from Africa)

   Synonym: Neger

   • 1896, Detlev von Liliencron, “Neunzehnter Kantus”, in Poggfred‎^[3], Stuttgart, Berlin, Leipzig: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, published 1926:

     Um freie Bahn zu haben, muß ein Neger / Aus meiner Dienerschaft vorgaloppieren, / Bimbo auf meinem Schimmel Paukenschläger. / Der Mohr, der Gaul, den türkische Flitter zieren, / Sind jedem stets Bewunderungerreger, / Fahr ich mit all dem bunten Zeug spazieren.

     In order to clear the way, a negro / Of my domestics must gallop ahead, / A nigger on my white horse as a timpanist. / The blacky, the nag, adorned with Turkish tinsel, / Always arouse everyone’s admiration / When I go for a joyride with all that colourful junk.

2. (informal, slightly vulgar, possibly offensive) servant; someone who does unpleasant works for another

   Synonym: Dienstbote

   Räum das selber auf! Ich bin doch nicht dein Bimbo.

   Clean that up yourself! I’m not your servant.