Prawn
/PRAWN/ noun (slur)
≈ “Racial slur (for aliens)”
A derogatory term used by humans for the alien Poleepkwa, comparing them to bottom-feeding crustaceans. The film uses it as an apartheid allegory.
“A prawn wouldn't know the difference anyway.”— Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley), various humans
Etymology
The aliens resemble large prawns (shrimp). Humans seized on their appearance to create a dehumanizing slur, reducing sentient beings to seafood. The film explicitly parallels South African apartheid.
Usage History
Introduced in District 9 (2009). The film's apartheid allegory made 'prawn' one of the most analyzed fictional slurs in film criticism.
Taboo Trajectory
Immediately extreme within the film's context. The word is loaded with contempt and used to justify segregation, eviction, and violence — directly paralleling real-world dehumanizing language.
Semantic Drift Timeline
Used consistently as a slur throughout the film. No in-film drift, but the audience's understanding of its cruelty deepens as the film reveals the aliens' intelligence and suffering.
Regional Notes
Used by human South Africans. The aliens themselves do not use the term.