Polack

Polack is an English ethnonym historically used to refer to a person from Poland. In modern English, the term is generally regarded as pejorative or offensive when used to describe a Polish person, and it is typically avoided in polite discourse. The neutral terms are Polish for nationality or ethnicity and Pole for a person from Poland, with Polish as the standard adjective and demonym.

The exact origin of the word is unclear. It is thought to derive from the Polish demonym Polak (for a male Pole) or from early English adaptations that add a suffix, such as -ack, to form ethnonyms. The term appears in 19th- and 20th-century American English and has been used in various contexts, including literature and journalism, sometimes neutrally in older texts but more often with a disparaging connotation.

In contemporary use, Polack is widely regarded as a slur in many English-speaking communities. Its use is associated with negative stereotypes about Polish people and is considered inappropriate in most social and professional settings. Discussions of Polish history and anti-Polish sentiment may reference the term in a critical or historical context, but the term itself is not appropriate for respectful discourse.

The word can also appear as a surname, in which case its use is not inherently pejorative and depends on the individual. For clarity and respect, it is best to use Polish, Pole, or Polish people when referring to individuals from Poland.