Meanings
plural baby-killers · alternative babykiller · alternative baby killer
- derogatoryslangAn abortionist (all senses).
He promised to protect and serve "even a baby killer like yourself," but also to do everything in his office's power "to assist the protesters who wish to protect the misguided mothers who come to your clinic of death."
1999, Charisma and Christian Life, volume 24, numbers 6-11, page 38 - datedderogatoryslangA Vietnam War veteran.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see baby, killer.
The following named soothing-syrups commonly given to children during their teething period have been proclaimed by the United States government chemists as “baby killers;” and the public is hereby warned against the use of any of these preparations for children […]
1911, Michigan's Health, volumes 6-7, page 90
Origin
The Vietnam War veteran usage stems from the My Lai massacre (1968), in which hundreds of civilians, including infants, were massacred.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
baby-killer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer
“baby-killer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “baby-killer,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer.
Source: baby-killer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.