Indian Giving

1. (n., adj.) when an individual or group takes something from another and gives them something shittier in return, a la European governments’ treatment of the Native Americans.

"Every place we pitched our tent, they sank an oil well. Every time they sank a well, they hit oil. And every time they hit oil, the Indian giving SOBs made us pack up our tent and go someplace else." (Catch 22, 1999; p. 49)

2. (n., adj.) when an individual or group takes something from another and gives them something shittier in return, then deprives them again and gives them something shittier in return, then deprives them again… ad infinitum.

“Then, Yossarian, it finally happened—the beginning of the end. The Indian giving sons of a bitches began to follow us around from in front. They would try to guess where we were going to stop next and would begin drilling before we even got there, so we couldn’t even stop. As soon as we’d begin to unroll our blankets, they would kick us off. They had confidence in us. They wouldn’t even wait to strike oil before they kicked us off. We were so tired we almost didn’t care the day our time ran out." (Catch 22, 1999; p. 50)

3. (n.,adj.; archaic) when someone attempts to purchase and claim ownership of an inalienable possession, or something is maliciously bestowed to cause detriment.

“Could it not be contrived to Send the Small Pox among those Disaffected Tribes of Indians? We must, on this occasion, Use Every Stratagem in our power to Reduce them," said Sir Jeffery Amherst. “I have blankets!”

“Sounds like a plan for Indian giving to me!,” replied Col. Henry Bouquet, “taking care however not to get the disease myself.” (Francis Parkman, “The Conspiracy of the Pontiac and… “ 1892; p. 40)
“Look at these Indians selling Manhattan for $24 worth of goods, what a steal!” - Peter Minuit, attempting to purchase New Amsterdam for the Dutch West India Company (1626).
“Look at this indian-giver, thinks we own the land….” shaking his head “So, foolish to think he even can.” - Seyseys, chief of the Canarsees, accepting technology & goods for Weckquaesgeek occupied land (1626).
(Nathaniel Benthley, “The $24 Swindle” American Hertiage Vol. 11 Iss. 1, 1959).

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