Slangora

blackbirder

A person involved in 'blackbirding' — the practice of kidnapping or coercing Pacific Islander peoples into forced labour on Australian and other colonial plantations in the 19th century, a form of effectively enslaved labour.

ˈblækbɚd127 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

A person involved in 'blackbirding' — the practice of kidnapping or coercing Pacific Islander peoples into forced labour on Australian and other colonial plantations in the 19th century, a form of effectively enslaved labour. Also used historically for those who caught escaped enslaved people in the antebellum American South. The term covers both the person and the ship used in the trade.

The colony's labour shortage drove a boom in blackbirders working the Pacific Islands.
Origin: From 'blackbird' (historical slang for an enslaved or coerced Black or Pacific Islander person) + agentive '-er'; the verb 'blackbirding' referred to the kidnapping trade. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

A ship used for blackbirding; a slaver.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026

A person involved in blackbirding .

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#4·Apr 27, 2026

(US) A slavecatcher.

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