Indian Giver - Meaning, Origin and Usage

Did someone just call you an "Indian giver"? What does that mean? Why did they call you that if you don't have Native American ancestry? This post unpacks everything you need to know about this idiomatic expression. We'll look at its origin, meaning, and use in conversation.

Meaning

To be an "Indian giver" means that you give someone something as a gift, boost their expectations, and then ask for the gift back at a later stage, to the recipient's surprise.

So, if you give someone a gift and then ask for its return, the other person could call you an "Indian giver" because you never had the intention of letting them keep the item.

The term has severely racist overtones, and it doesn't have a use in modern society. You can use other suitable references instead of "Indian giver" in conversation. Using the phrase online could land you in a lot of trouble.

Example Usage

"Did you hear that John asked me for his PlayStation back? He gave it to me for my birthday because he got a new one. Now he wants it back because his house got robbed, and they stole his PlayStation. He's such an Indian giver."

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Tim: "Hey Chris, can you give me back that twenty I gave you earlier? I need it to pay for the concessions."

Chris: "Jeepers, Tim, you're such an Indian giver, here, take it."

Origin

The term "Indian giver" originates from the mid-1800s in North America. The early settlers would use the phrase to describe their interactions with the Native American people. Native American tribes held the custom of willingly giving their possessions to anyone that asked for it.

The term's first use appears in the form of "Indian gift." This rendition of the phrase appears in 1765, describing a present given to someone with the expectation of receiving a gift of similar value or utility. The evolution of the words into "Indian giver" comes from the work of Lewis and Clark during their expedition. The original use of the term defines a cultural misunderstanding.

When dealing with the Native American tribes, the pair would confuse items handed to them by the people as gifts, while the tribes were actually offering them for barter. When the team did not pay for the item, the tribes would demand it back, resulting in the first use of the phrase.

The phrase made its way into language and became a popular saying on playgrounds in the early 1900s. Kids would use the term to taunt others and call them selfish. The use of the phrase continued well into the 60s and the Civil Rights movement.

Today, many backward areas in the United States and individuals with discriminatory beliefs will use the phrase.

Phrases Similar to Indian Giver

  • Boomerang giver.
  • Ricochet giver.
  • Limited-time-only giver.

Phrases Opposite to Indian Giver

  • Generous.
  • Yours to keep.

What is the Correct Saying?

  • Indian giver.
  • Indian givers.

Ways People May Say Indian Giver Incorrectly

"Indian giver" is a racist term, and it has no place in any conversation, ever. Using the phrase around Native American people is offensive, and you'll probably have some people protest your use of the term. Using the words on social media is likely to land you a huge amount of backlash from woke people.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Indian Giver

There is no acceptable way to phrase "Indian giver" in everyday conversation. It's a racist saying, and it's highly offensive to Native American people. However, if you were to use this phrase in conversation, you would use it anytime someone requests back what they gave you. The term is more applicable to people than institutions.

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