Wetback (slur)

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For other uses, see Wetback (disambiguation).

Wetback a Mexican or Central American who is in the United States illegally. The term is based on the presumption that the person in question swam or waded across the Rio Grande to get into the United States, getting their back wet in the process. "Wetback" may also be used as a blanket term to describe anyone of the Mestizo race, although this is less common and not a proper term as long as they are in the U.S. legally. The English term was first used in 1920s^{[citation needed]} and saw official use by the U.S. Government in 1954 with Operation Wetback. The Spanish-language translation espalda mojada — or, more tersely, mojado — is used in a similar sense by Hispanic Americans.

[edit] Pop Culture

The South Park episode 'Goobacks' was originally named 'Wetbacks From the Future'.

[edit] See also

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