Dictionary

ethnically challenged en · ADJ

Etymology

An ironic imitation of the perceived oversensitivity of language like mentally challenged.

Meanings

1. (euphemistic, humorous) Of a person, belonging to a marginalized ethnicity.
   • Young Muslims are essentially seen as 'ethnically challenged' and this is put at the core of their experience of disadvantaged positions. Prejudice and discrimination present authentically serious difficulties […] 2015, Graham Bright, Youth Work: Histories, Policy and Contexts, page 176:
   • […] everybody knew, and agreed, that you didn't cut in line or urinate on sidewalks in public (a new cultural practice among the ethnically challenged) or just plain be rude and disagreeable. 2000, Fred Reed, The Great Possum-Squashing and Beer Storm of 1962:
   • “And I want to thank you for pointing that out at long last instead of referring to me as a little ethnically challenged boy in drag.” 2009, William Delaney, You Break It, You Die, page 32:

Forms