Play the white man
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Play the white man is a racist term used in parts of England meaning to be decent and trustworthy in one's actions. The term is considered to be extremely derogatory against non-white people because it carries the implication that they are indecent or untrustworthy. Originating in colonial England, the term is losing popularity in common parlance because of its racist overtones.
A similar expression in the United States is "That's mighty white of you", meaning, "Thank you for being fair", although it has come to be used ironically, particularly by African-Americans.
The term "play", in African American slang, can sometimes mean "cheat" or "swindle", and "the white man" is often a reference by minorities for the historical collective oppression of Caucasians upon non-Caucasians. Thus if used by non-whites, the term "play the white man" may carry a connotation of "cheat the oppressor".