A British term for a diaper or cloth used to absorb baby's waste.
Short for 'napkin,' which comes from Old French 'nappe' meaning tablecloth or covering, from Latin 'mappa.' The diminutive '-y' suffix created the familiar form.
The same word root 'nappe' gives us both 'napkin' for tables and 'nappy' for babies—because both are absorbent cloths meant to catch spills!
'Nappy' as a derogatory racial slur originated in the late 20th century, weaponizing natural Black hair texture. The term conflates racial identity with moral judgment, distinct from the British English word for infant diapers.
Use 'natural hair' or 'textured hair' when discussing hair. If referencing the slur historically, contextualize explicitly as slur and explain harm.
["natural hair","textured hair","coiled hair"]
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.