nazi

Everyday

1. A member of the political party led by Adolf Hitler that ruled Germany before and during World War Two; it believed some people were better than others and murdered millions, including in the Holocaust. tree →
2. (adjective) To do with that party or its ideas. tree →
3. (informal, insult) Someone who is extremely strict or bossy about rules: a grammar nazi — this use is careless and can upset people. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about World War Two, pupils learn what the Nazis did and why we remember the Holocaust. It tells the reader about cruelty, racism and war. The joke use is common online but disrespectful to victims. Phrases: Nazi Germany, the Nazi party, neo-Nazi.

Examples

• The Nazis ruled Germany during World War Two. tree →
• We learned how the Nazis persecuted Jewish people. tree →
• Anne Frank hid from the Nazis. tree →
• Many countries fought to defeat Nazi Germany. tree →
• The Holocaust was carried out by the Nazis. tree →
• Nazi ideas were based on hate. tree →
• Calling your teacher a «grammar nazi» is not kind. tree →

Note

Capital N: Nazi, Nazis. Said NAHT-see. Using «Nazi» as a joke insult can hurt people; better to say «very strict» or «a stickler». Neo-Nazis are people today who follow those hateful ideas.