Polack

• Polak, Pollack, Pollock, Polock

From Polish Polak (“a Polish person”).

• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈpoʊlɑk/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpəʊlæk/

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Polack (plural Polacks)

1. (now Canada, US offensive slang) A Pole, or person of Polish descent.
2. (obsolete) Formerly in non-offensive use.
   • c. 1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet

     which to him appear'd / to be a preparation against the Polack. - Act II, Scene ii, line 63

     So levied as before against the Pollack. - Act II, Scene ii, line 75

     Why, then the Polack never will defend it. - Act IV, Scene iv, line 23

   • 1610, Thomas Middleton, “Sir R. Sherley Sent Ambassador, etc.”, in Arthur Henry Bullen, editor, The Works of Thomas Middleton, volume VIII, published 1886, page 307:

     First therefore was he employed into Poland, where by Sigismund, the king of Poland and of Suecia, he was received with great magnificence and applause both of the Polack himself and of his people.

• The term Polack was used neutrally through the late nineteenth century, but is today considered an ethnic slur in North America. The Polish still refer to themselves by this term, and other countries do not attach an offensive connotation.

• (person of Polish descent): Pole, Polish person

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