The term "beaner" is a derogatory and offensive ethnic slur primarily used in the United States to refer to people of Mexican or Mexican American heritage, and by extension, sometimes to any Hispanic or Latino person. It derives from the stereotype related to beans being a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine
. The word has been in use since at least the 1940s, evolving from earlier slurs such as "bean-eater" and "bean-bandit." It is considered one of the most offensive slurs directed at Mexican Americans and carries xenophobic connotations implying that the targeted individuals are not truly American
. Aside from its offensive ethnic meaning, "beaner" can also have other unrelated meanings, such as a baseball pitch deliberately thrown at the head of the batter (called a "beanball") or, in older usage, a term meaning an outstanding specimen or something excellent, though these uses are less common today
. In summary, "beaner" is predominantly recognized as a highly offensive racial slur against Mexicans and Mexican Americans, linked to cultural food stereotypes and used in a disparaging manner
