Mudblood
/MUD-blud/ noun (slur)
≈ “N-word (racial slur)”
A deeply offensive slur used by blood-purist wizards against Muggle-born witches and wizards. Functions as the wizarding world's equivalent of the most extreme racial slurs.
“No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood!”— Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)
Etymology
Compound of 'mud' (impure) and 'blood' (lineage). Implies Muggle-born wizards have dirty blood unworthy of magical society. Reflects real-world racial purity ideology.
Usage History
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998 book, 2002 film). Central to all subsequent books and films through Deathly Hallows.
Taboo Trajectory
One of the most analyzed fictional slurs in literary criticism. Its escalation from personal bigotry to state-sponsored persecution parallels historical registries targeting ethnic minorities.
Semantic Drift Timeline
Escalates across the series. Schoolyard insult in Chamber of Secrets. Institutional weapon in Deathly Hallows, where the Ministry uses 'Mudblood Registration' as a tool of persecution.
Regional Notes
Used primarily by old pure-blood families (Malfoys, Blacks, Lestranges). Considered unspeakable by most of wizarding society. More common in Britain's wizarding world where blood-purist ideology is strongest.