black velvet

plural black velvets

1. AustraliaslanguncountableAustralian aboriginal women with whom white men have sex.

   But the Krater who introduces Mark to black velvet is totally human and, in his gestures, culpable.

   1989, John Joseph Healy, Literature and the Aborigine in Australia, page 162

   2 more examples

   ‘Just can’t imagine anybody else havin’ a go at your missus while you’re away chasing black velvet in Mt Isa, can ya?’

   1982, Paul Radley, My Blue-Checker Corker and Me, Sydney: Fontana/Collins, page 125

   Writer, Xavier Herbert, said that white men would refuse to work on remote stations without available Aboriginal women or ‘black velvet’.

   2002, John Maynard, Aboriginal Stars of the Turf: Jockeys of Australian Racing History, page 105

2. AustraliaslanguncountableSexual intercourse with an Australian aboriginal woman.

   Black velvet — that is, the sexual abuse of Aboriginal women — had become highly topical with the publication of Coonardoo and Capricornia, and Miles’ choices in this area still seem reasonable.

   2009, Jill Roe, Her Brilliant Career: The Life of Stella Miles Franklin, page 494

3. countableuncountableA cocktail of stout and champagne (or sometimes a cheaper type of sparkling white wine).