Cultural differences can breed misunderstanding.  This is why the term “Indian giver” is inappropriate.  Emotionally immature responses to those situations often lead to name calling, concepts and phrases intended that are intended to malign either the that race or that culture.

Sometimes, however, it is a matter of usage change over time.  Words and phrases change their meaning over time because oral learning is often flawed and inaccurate.  In this case, it was more than likely a lack of consideration of cultural differences that eventually or immediately led to this inappropriate term.

“Indian Giver”, on Dictionary, cites that this phrase originated sometime from 1825 to 1835. This time frame encompassed the industrial revolution, a large influx of immigrants, Indian migrations, the building of the Erie Canal, and the westward expansion.  Also keep in mind that the French-Indian wars were around 1750 to the late 1700’s while the Sioux wars were in the mid to late 1800’s.

This site referenced the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. This term meant that Indians would give a gift with the expectation of receiving a different gift in return. It was a cultural custom to exchange gifts that was on par with the White’s custom of shaking hands.

This term is used in current times to indicate someone who gives a gift and then selfishly takes it back.  This may actually have happened when a Native American gave a gift with the expectation of one in return.  The result for both parties in such a circumstance would’ve been unpleasant and could’ve generated resentment without either one understanding why.

If the gift wasn’t reciprocated, that may have indicated a rejection of the gift or the gesture.  So, the taking of it back wasn’t necessarily a form of greed or expectation.  It was most likely the equivalent of extending one’s hand for a handshake that was never accepted.  It would’ve been insulting to not receive something in return.

The concept of private ownership for most Native American tribes has traditionally been less pronounced than that of the mixed tribes of Europeans who came here.  Most items belonging to American natives were communal with less hoarding tendencies than what was known by the white man.  As a result, objects more than likely had less meaning than the gesture of giving an object (gift).

Our use of the term today is inappropriate and indicates a cultural misunderstanding that is offensive.  Continued use of this term indicates a level of emotional immaturity and an outright disregard for others.