Although often used as a derogatory term, Sambo is now used in some circles and mini-cultures to describe someone playing up to a stereotype or "playin' the fool" to hide intelligent and revolutionary motives from potential threats. The term comes from the 19th century "Sambo" stereotype of black slaves as dumb and oblivious. Slaves often used this as a cover to secretly sabotage plantation tools and as an excuse to work slowly and attempt to slowly chip away at their master's system when open revolution was not an option.