Play the white man
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Play the white man is a term used in parts of England meaning to be decent and trustworthy in one's actions. The term is considered by some to be derogatory against non-white people because they believe it carries the implication that they are indecent or untrustworthy. Originating in colonial England, the term is losing popularity in common parlance.
A similar expression in the United States is "That's mighty white of you", meaning, "Thank you for being fair", although it has come to be used ironically, particularly by African-Americans.
The term "play", in African American slang, can sometimes mean "cheat" or "swindle", and "the white man" is often a reference by minorities for the historical collective oppression of Caucasians upon non-Caucasians. Thus if used by non-whites, the term "play the white man" may carry a connotation of "cheat the oppressor".
