Learn English – Is calling a white person “white bread” considered racist in everyday conversation

meaning-in-contextpejorative-languageracism

I have just watched "Top Five" played by Chris Rock. In this movie, there is a scene where Chris Rock saw a white actor and here is the conversation:

The actor (played by white male actor): Hey, Alfred Alen

Alfred Alen (played by Chris Rock): Hey, white bread, happy birthday!

That is in the movie, but is calling a white person "white bread" considered racist in everyday conversation?

Best Answer

"whitebread" is a wry or gently mocking expression originating in the African American communities of the United States which is most often used to describe a "white" person the user is on friendly terms with and the expression is not intended to offend or insult. "wry" adjective: 1. using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. synonyms: ironic, sardonic, satirical, mocking. see, google.com "wry" Link

A slightly more common but equivalent expression would be to refer to a "white" person as "Opie", as in Opie Taylor from Andy Griffith fame.

Belonging to the class of bland, clean-cut, middle-of-the-road suburbanite breeders. The Cleavers from the old TV show "Leave It To Beaver" are a familiar archetype of whitebread culture. see, The Urban Dictionary “white bread” Link

Most of the online dictionaries I've consulted don't seem to get the quality of "whitebread" I've included and refer to only the bland, insipid qualities which really connote to "lack of soul". But, in my personal experience, this is one of those, admittedly rare, occasions when the dictionary definitions are missing the more subtle nuances of the term - reporting as outsiders looking in - that said, "location, location, location!"