Albino – where does that word come from?

Have you ever seen a white wallaby? A white squirrel? Have you been lucky enough to see a white peacock? I saw white (albino) wallabies in the zoo, and my brain went to where it always goes… where does the word albino come from?

Albinism is a genetic difference in animals and people, it has been around as long as animals and people have been. It is no surprise then that the origins of albino begin in Latin with “albus” meaning white. The Spanish word “albo” came from this, and it then changed around the early 18th century to albino in Spanish and Portuguese.

Why the early 18th century you say? Well it’s not good news. Albino was most often used to describe African men, women and children that were not black (uk) / people of colour (US), and had reduced pigmentation in their skin. This almost certainly was strongly related to the Portuguese slave trade of African people around that time. The white slave traders were surprised to see African people with pale skin and light-coloured hair. It makes me wonder, if they thought they were better than someone because your skin was lighter than theirs, what did they think about people with albinism?

It is wise to be careful with the word albino, as some people with albinism find this word to be insulting, which is not surprising now we know where it comes from. I have read that most people with albinism are ok with the word albino if it is used with respect.

Albinism comes with a lot of other effects on the human body, but it is definitely beautiful.

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