Dictionary definition of “person of pallor”

person of pallor

n. a white or Caucasian person. Subjects: English, Race, Euphemism

Editorial Note: Usually used jocularly or ironically. Etymological Note: Constructed after “person of color,” a person who is other than white or Caucasian.

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Citations: 1991 Joanna McClelland Glass Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada) (June 8) “Too many axes to grind” p. C1: I saw a bevy with a sign that said, “Women of Color,” another bevy with a sign that said, “Woman of Pallor.” 1991 [Joseph T. Chew] Usenet: rec.humor (Nov. 22) “Re: racial”: “Gawd you’re ignorant! I’m White.”…“Shouldn’t that be pigmentally disabled” “No, no, no. Get with the program! He’s a person of pallor!” 1996 Drew Hayden Taylor Windspeaker (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) (Feb.) “What’s in a word? Plenty” vol. 13, no. 10, p. 9: White People: Politically incorrect term for those of European descent. More currently acceptable terms are People of Pallor, Color Challenged, or the Pigment Denied. 2001 Rob Morse San Francisco Chronicle (Mar. 14) “Kiss Me—I’m “White’”: “White” only describes what a few people look like, and it needs a dignified euphemism, like “People of pallor.” 2007 James Taranto Opinion Journal (July 2) “Best of the Web Today”: Joshua and Andy were rejected because their racial group was overrepresented in the schools they wanted to attend, not because the school was closed to everyone who shared their skin color. Although they were persons of pallor (“white” in Seattle’s parlance, “other” in Louisville’s), the policies could just as easily have refused admission to black (or, in Seattle, “nonwhite”) students.

Posted 3 Jul 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend