Mammy
noun
A term used for one's mother, especially in a country setting.
I'm going to visit my mammy this weekend.
Often appears as...
- my mammy
- dear mammy
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
A stereotype of a black woman working as a nanny or domestic servant, often caring for a white family's children.
The representation of the 'mammy' figure has been criticized in modern discussions of race.
Often appears as...
- mammy figure
- mammy stereotype
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
noun
A term used for one's mother, especially in a country setting.
I'm going to visit my mammy this weekend.
Often appears as...
- my mammy
- dear mammy
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
A stereotype of a black woman working as a nanny or domestic servant, often caring for a white family's children.
The representation of the 'mammy' figure has been criticized in modern discussions of race.
Often appears as...
- mammy figure
- mammy stereotype
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Regional Usage
Mainly used in Ireland and the Southern United States, less common elsewhere.
Did you hear Jamie talking about his mammy? He must be from the South.
Pro Tip 2/3Affectionate Tone
Conveys warmth and closeness when referring to one's mother.
My mammy always knows how to make me feel better.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Formal
Inappropriate for formal contexts; use 'mother' instead.
You wouldn't say 'Let me introduce you to my mammy' at a formal event.
Pro Tip 1/3Regional Usage
Mainly used in Ireland and the Southern United States, less common elsewhere.
Did you hear Jamie talking about his mammy? He must be from the South.
Pro Tip 2/3Affectionate Tone
Conveys warmth and closeness when referring to one's mother.
My mammy always knows how to make me feel better.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Formal
Inappropriate for formal contexts; use 'mother' instead.
You wouldn't say 'Let me introduce you to my mammy' at a formal event.
Pro Tip 1/3Regional Usage
Mainly used in Ireland and the Southern United States, less common elsewhere.
Did you hear Jamie talking about his mammy? He must be from the South.
Pro Tip 2/3Affectionate Tone
Conveys warmth and closeness when referring to one's mother.
My mammy always knows how to make me feel better.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Formal
Inappropriate for formal contexts; use 'mother' instead.
You wouldn't say 'Let me introduce you to my mammy' at a formal event.
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Video examples
The Critical Role of...
was their own fault. That, with the mammy trope, that we didn't deserve necessarily to be compensated for work that we were doing, that we deserved to stay within domestic work and that we shouldn't necessarily be paid what that work was worth
Video examples
The Critical Role of...
was their own fault. That, with the mammy trope, that we didn't deserve necessarily to be compensated for work that we were doing, that we deserved to stay within domestic work and that we shouldn't necessarily be paid what that work was worth
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Bill Duke
American Actor
I think the media and the Internet and all that stuff, has created this perception of black women as these mammy types, kind of angry, you know, full of pent up emotions and resentments. And that these women are people to feared rather than loved.
Quote examples
Brendan O'Carroll
Irish Writer
People have really taken Mrs. Brown to their hearts. I think she reminds them of their own mammies... Fierce and scary but full of love.
Quote examples
Maura Higgins
Irish Model
Not everyone's always going to like you, that's what my mammy always taught me.
Quote examples
Bill Duke
American Actor
I think the media and the Internet and all that stuff, has created this perception of black women as these mammy types, kind of angry, you know, full of pent up emotions and resentments. And that these women are people to feared rather than loved.
Quote examples
Brendan O'Carroll
Irish Writer
People have really taken Mrs. Brown to their hearts. I think she reminds them of their own mammies... Fierce and scary but full of love.
Quote examples
Maura Higgins
Irish Model
Not everyone's always going to like you, that's what my mammy always taught me.
Example 1 of 3
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