Dictionary in Brazil Eliminates Offensive Definition of Word ‘jew’

A revised edition of the dictionary of the Portuguese language, published by the Brazilian Literary Academy, was issued here today, with deletions of some former definitions regarded as anti-Semitic. The revised version has been cleansed of the definition of the word “Jew,” which, in former editions, had been described as “devil” and “swindler.” However, the work still uses anti-Semitic definitions for “rabbi” and for “synagogue.” The latter, as of old, is still described as “a place for illegal business.”

While the new version of the dictionary was seen here as an improvement, it was noted that the official dictionary, issued by the Government for use in public schools, has not yet been revised or cleansed of its anti-Semitic definitions of certain words and terms.