Indian giver?

Question

Where did this term come from? What does it really mean?

Thanks =)

Answer 1

whoop 'dat azz if they do it!

Indian giver is an American English expression used for any individual who gives something and then either takes it back or wants to take it back[1].

The expression Indian giver is based on the belief that Native Americans would lend items to the settlers, in other words, let them borrow necessities. The settlers thought that this was a gift from the Native Americans; hence, they were shocked when the Native Americans asked for their items back.

Answer 2

There are two popular etymologies for this term for a person who gives a gift only to later demand its return. The first is that it is based on an unfair stereotype of Native Americans, that they don't keep their word. In the other popular explanation, the term doesn't cast aspersions on Native Americans, instead it echoes the broken promises the whites made to the Indians. Neither is accurate, although the first is closer to the truth.

Instead the term comes from different commercial practices. To the Native Americans, who had no concept of money or currency, gifts were a form of trade goods, of exchange. One didn't give a gift without expecting one of equivalent value in return. If one could not offer an equivalent return gift, the original gift would be refused or returned. To the Europeans, who with their monetary-based trade practices, this seemed low and insulting, gifts were not for trade but were to be freely given.

The noun Indian gift dates to 1765. Indian giver follows about a century later in 1865. Originally, these reflected simply the expectation of a return gift. By the 1890s, the sense had shifted to mean one who demands a gift back.

Answer 3

The expression Indian giver is based on the belief that Native Americans would lend items to the settlers, in other words, let them borrow necessities. The settlers thought that this was a gift from the Native Americans; hence, they were shocked when the Native Americans asked for their items back.

Answer 4

One who gives a gift but later takes it back.
Origin
Indian giver derives from the alleged practise of American Indians of taking back gifts from white settlers. It is more likely that the settlers wrongly interpreted the Indians' loans to them as gifts. This term, which is certainly American, may have been coined to denigrate of the native race. Historians would now agree that, where deceit was concerned, it was the settlers who were the front runners. It isn't uncommon, and it could be argued that it is customary, for the conquering race to attempt to justify their invasion by dismissing the conquered as dishonest and stupid.

Answer 5

when 7-11 start giving out thier stores to Indians..the blacks started to say 7-11 were Indian givers..and there was a large law suit against 7-11 ..in which 7-11 paid out a 3 million dollars to black..in the form of watermelon surpees..

Answer 6

As I was taught, it's bigoted and basically comes from the negative propaganda against Native Americans. However, if you look at US history, the white/ Europeans have time and again made promises to the native nations and then "gone back on their word." I think it's like the modern saying, "Clean Air Act" but it has to do with allowing more pollution. It's the people in power using "backward-speak."

Answer 7

The term came from when Indians would trade or sell they would come back later and get/steal thier stuff back or promise the sell of something and not come up with it..... however that was only just stories.... now days it means to give someone something and take it back......

Answer 8

I always thought it was the term created by American Indians to describe the gifts of the reservations. Namely they would be given, then taken back so the tribe would be moved successively to wastelands of lesser and lesser value.

Answer 9

the indiana would give away things and take them back---so the term indian giver was born

Answer 10

the term comes from the white peopkle and the indiand trading. the white men traded all this stuff with the native americans and then ended up taking all of it back and then some.