How Do You Spell HOTTENTOT?

Pronunciation: [hˈɒtəntˌɒt] (IPA)

The word "Hottentot" is spelled with two T's to represent the glottal stop sound at the end of the first syllable. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ˈhɒtəntɒt/. The two T's represent a "double stop," which is a feature of Khoisan languages spoken in Southern Africa. The term "Hottentot" is considered highly offensive and should not be used. The preferred term is "Khoi" or "Khoikhoi", which refers to the indigenous people of the region.

HOTTENTOT Meaning and Definition

1. Hottentot is a term that historically referred to the Khoikhoi people, the indigenous inhabitants of the southwestern regions of Africa, particularly the areas now known as South Africa and Namibia. The term, which is considered offensive and derogatory today due to its racist connotations, was coined by European colonizers during the era of exploration and colonization.

   The Hottentots were traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists who lived in small communities and subsisted on cattle herding and hunting. They had distinct physical features, including a unique language characterized by the use of click sounds, which fascinated European explorers and led to the development of the term "Hottentot."

   However, it is important to note that the term has been widely condemned as an offensive racial slur and is no longer used to refer to the indigenous Khoikhoi people. The preferred and respectful term for the Khoikhoi community today is the Nama people.

   The history of the term "Hottentot" reflects the Eurocentric and racist attitudes prevalent during colonial times, where native populations were often marginalized and their cultures denigrated. Using such language undermines inclusive and respectful discourse and is not appropriate in modern times.

2. A native of S. Africa; a savage or brutal man.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HOTTENTOT

• gottentot
• bottentot
• nottentot
• jottentot
• uottentot
• yottentot
• hittentot
• hkttentot
• hlttentot
• hpttentot
• h0ttentot
• h9ttentot
• hortentot
• hoftentot
• hogtentot
• hoytentot
• ho6tentot
• ho5tentot
• hotrentot
• hottentt
• rottenston
• whottenot
• Nattentt
• Hottenpott
• pottentet

Etymology of HOTTENTOT

The term "Hottentot" has a complicated and controversial etymology. It originated from the Dutch colonial period in South Africa and was originally used to refer to the Khoikhoi people who came into contact with Dutch settlers in the 17th century.

The Dutch adopted the term "Hotnot", which was derived from the Khoikhoi language and was used to refer to these indigenous people. The Khoikhoi themselves referred to their own groups using their respective ethnic names, such as "Khoikhoi" or "Nama".

Over time, the term "Hottentot" became derogatory and offensive due to its use as a racial slur. It was often associated with European stereotypes and prejudices about the physical appearance, customs, and supposed inferiority of the Khoikhoi people.

Today, it is widely recognized as an offensive term and is rarely used.

Plural form of HOTTENTOT is HOTTENTOT OR HOTTENTOTS