A dummy made of tar, which cannot be struck without getting oneself hopelessly stuck to it--from the story "Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Fox" by Joe Harris, as told by his fictional narrator, Uncle Remus.
Tar baby has become short hand for a situation better avoided than confronted.
Tar baby has become short hand for a situation better avoided than confronted.
by thalio May 16, 2006
His political advisers told him to stay away from the controversy,
that it was a no-win cause, a “tar baby.”
that it was a no-win cause, a “tar baby.”
by Richard April 18, 2004
Now used as an insult to black people, the tar baby was originally a jet black baby doll (becaue it was made out of tar) used to trap Br'er Rabbit Rabbit in an American folk tale.
Tar baby can also be a term used to describe a "sticky" situation.
Tar baby can also be a term used to describe a "sticky" situation.
It's not racist to call an actual tar baby a tar baby! That's like saying it's racist to call Ritz "crackers" or chocolate sandwich cookies "Oreos"!
by PokeyMan December 6, 2010
Tar baby is a synonym for nigger, except that it is only used in bigoted manners, whereas nigger can be a sign of respect, if the speaker is also African American.
It comes from a children's story in which the dark skin and seeming ignorance (caused by a lack of schooling) of slaves were explained by the idea that black children were baptised in tar, which made them dark and dumb.
see nigger
It comes from a children's story in which the dark skin and seeming ignorance (caused by a lack of schooling) of slaves were explained by the idea that black children were baptised in tar, which made them dark and dumb.
see nigger
by Cameron Murphy July 9, 2004
by 3 in a box! <3!*$!! December 12, 2007
A Tar baby is a person that scams & fights & TRIES to turn around a situation with Lies, Alibis, Denial, Blame Switching, & Accusations of Racism. Best to avoid them, & their prickly stickiness. Do not show major fear as you TRY to avoid or ease away. Do NOT get excited, loud, or use the word they so rightfully Deserve.
I had already backed out of my parking spot, & this tar baby backed out without looking, & ran into my car. She started screaming it was my fault.
by Swisher rolled tight October 14, 2020
Get the tar baby mug.