Nappy

Nappy

Noun / Adjective · /ˈnæp.i/

Definition

(Noun) British English for a disposable or reusable absorbent garment worn by a baby around the lower body to absorb urine and faeces; the American English equivalent being diaper; (Adjective, informal) of hair: tightly curled or kinky — this usage being considered offensive in some contexts.

Origin

The baby garment sense from napkin with the diminutive/affectionate -y suffix. The adjective sense (of hair) being of uncertain origin, possibly from nap (the raised fibres on fabric) by analogy with the texture of very tightly coiled hair. The diaper versus nappy distinction being one of the clearest British-American vocabulary differences. The word nappy for hair being primarily used in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and having complex social and political history.