dots, not feathers

phrase

Expresses that a person described as "Indian" is from the country of India, as opposed to being of Native American (American Indian) background.

“Rishabh is Indian (dots, not feathers).”

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Meanings

phrase
  1. insultExpresses that a person described as "Indian" is from the country of India, as opposed to being of Native American (American Indian) background.

    Rishabh is Indian (dots, not feathers).

Origin

From the stereotypes that people from India wear the Hindu bindi (dot) on their forehead, while Native Americans wear feathered headpieces.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

dots, not feathers. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dots%2C%20not%20feathers

MLA

“dots, not feathers.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dots%2C%20not%20feathers. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dots, not feathers,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dots%2C%20not%20feathers.

Source: dots, not feathers on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.