好词典

mammy

UK //ˈmæmi//US //ˈmæmi//

词源

源自英语方言,可能是“mama”的变体,最早记录于16世纪。在美国南方,该词被用于称呼黑人保姆,后因种族问题逐渐被弃用。

noun

❶ 对母亲的非正式称呼,常见于儿童用语或某些方言中,带有亲昵和依赖的情感色彩。

“The little boy ran to his mammy when he fell down.”

(小男孩摔倒后跑向他的妈妈。)

“Mammy, can I have some cookies?”

(妈妈,我能吃点饼干吗?)

❶ 历史上对美国南方黑人保姆的称呼,带有种族歧视色彩,现已不常用。

“In old movies, the mammy character was often portrayed as a loyal servant.”

(在老电影中,黑人保姆角色常被描绘为忠诚的仆人。)

“The term 'mammy' is considered offensive today.”

(如今“mammy”一词被认为具有冒犯性。)

同义词:mom, mother, mama, mommy

常见短语

mammy's boy — 指过度依赖母亲的男孩或男人,常带有贬义,暗示缺乏独立性。

“He's such a mammy's boy—he still calls his mother every day.”

(他真是个妈宝男——他仍然每天给妈妈打电话。)