Melungeon etymology

Etymology

The etymology of "Melungeon" is uncertain and has been the subject of much debate. The term itself is a derogatory one that was historically used to refer to a group of people in southeastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia.

Meaning

The exact meaning of "Melungeon" is not clear. Several theories have been proposed:

• "Melungeon" as a Corruption of "Malungeon": This theory suggests that the term "Melungeon" is a corruption of "Malungeon," a French word that means "mixture" or "mixed blood."
• "Melungeon" as a Native American Word: Some researchers believe that "Melungeon" may be derived from a Native American word for "dark people."
• "Melungeon" as a Reference to the Mixture of European and Native American Blood: This theory holds that the term "Melungeon" refers to the mixed ancestry of the Melungeon people, who are believed to have descended from a combination of European, Native American, and African ancestors.

Origin

The origin of the Melungeon people is also uncertain. Researchers have proposed several theories:

• Portuguese Descent: Some historians believe that the Melungeon people may have descended from Portuguese sailors who settled in the southeastern United States in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Native American Descent: Others argue that the Melungeons are primarily descended from Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee and Shawnee.
• Mixed Ancestry: It is likely that the Melungeon people are of mixed ancestry, with contributions from European, Native American, and African populations.

It is important to note that the Melungeon people have faced significant discrimination and marginalization throughout history. The term "Melungeon" has often been used as a derogatory label, and the Melungeons have been subjected to social and economic oppression. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize the Melungeon heritage and to address the historical injustices that they have faced.

Melungeon relate terms

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• fluke

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• America

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• seminar

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• esoteric

  Etymology Esoteric comes from the Greek word esoterikos which means inner or secret

• ethnic

  Meaning of Ethnic Etymology Ethnic etymology refers to the false or unscientific explana

• paraphernalia

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• indignation

  Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

• climate

  Etymology The word climate originates from the Greek word κλίμα klima which

• fickle

  Etymology The word fickle comes from the Middle English word fikel which means dece