DP or "
Displaced Person" was a designation given to millions of Post-WWII civilian
refugees and Nazi
slave laborers. The fortunes of war had left many
homeless and scattered through out Europe, far from their native countries and with no form of
identification. They were designated DPs and placed into DP camps to await processing. Those from nations occupied by Soviet forces were generally allowed to immigrate to
North America or
Palestine.
Many in the
post-war generation came to use it as an insult to describe post-World War II European immigrants of
Southern Europeanand
Eastern European origin.
Child: Gwamma, did you see my
doggie Mr Muggles?
Grandmother: I'm sure those god damn DPs who live on the other side the
alley ate your dog!