by Nancy on August 1st, 2009

Nancy

Question

Help answer this question below.

Where did the term Indian Giver come from?

  • Like
  • Report

Answers. 7 helpful answers below.

  • by l3utterfly on August 1st, 2009

    l3utterfly

    Indian giver is a term given by "white Man" When the natives and the whites traded the whites gave the natives nice things in exchange for fur, food, and safety... untill the white men stopped trading for good material and gave bad, when the natives relized this after a certain trade, they confronted the whites and took all there prized belongings back saying they did them wrong and refused to trade with them any more. thus for getting the name "indian giver" because of unfare trading circumstances upon the natives and greedyness of the whites.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Suby the Coat on August 1st, 2009

    Suby the Coat

    This is what I found searching the web:
    .

    'Indian giver

    Home > Library > Literature & Language > Idioms

    One who takes or demands back one's gift to another, as in Jimmy wanted to take back Dan's birthday present, but Mom said that would make him an Indian giver. This term, now considered offensive, originally alluded to the Native American practice of expecting a gift in return for one that is given. [Colloquial; early 1800s].'
    .
    http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Indian+Giver&gwp=13

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 1st, 2009

    Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT

    Old times, Nancy. I suspect it may have started with the early trading days with some of the more unscrupulous traders when some Native American tribes began to realize they were trading valuable furs and other goods for cheap and shoddy "white man's" goods, e.g., rifles that would not fire and powder that would not ignite, iron pots that were cracked, etc. They would sometimes demand a "refund". Understandable. But then, it is also just another trait ascribed to one people by another, like Scots and Dutch being stingy or penurious,..."Dutch Treat", "Dutch Courage"(needing to imbibe alcohol to have courage to fight), etc., etc.....

    • Like
    • Report

    3 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by iDeath on August 1st, 2009

    iDeath

    I always thought it had to do with the treaties in which we gave indians promises and took them back. Makes sense. just backward as we may have believed, right?

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by BellaC on August 1st, 2009

    BellaC

    i have no idea wot does it mean

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Bull wears a COAT of many colours on August 1st, 2009

    Bull wears a COAT of many colours

    It is a kind of game with some American Indians to give something and then see if they can steal it back.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • Racists misunderstandings.*+++++*

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Where did the term Indian Giver come from?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Where did indian giver come from
Where does the term indian giver come from
Where did the phrase indian giver come from
What does indian giver mean
Where did indian giver come from