tar baby

noun

sometimes offensive

: something from which it is nearly impossible to extricate oneself

Word History

Etymology

from the tar baby that trapped Brer Rabbit in an Uncle Remus story by Joel Chandler Harris

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tar baby was in 1882

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Browse Nearby Words

Taraz

tar baby

tarbagan

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tar baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tar%20baby. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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