"Mammy" is an alternate spelling of "mother", used most prominently by African American slaves during the 1800s. During the 20th century, "mammy" came to define a racial stereotype of a black woman as being heavyset, matronly, a maid and/or cook, and having a no-nonsense approach to life. It is now considered an ethnic slur when used towards a black woman.

A number of variations and usage of the "mammy" character became prominent in pop culture during the pre-civil rights period Among the most notable examples are:

• Aunt Jemima, a mascot for Quaker Oats's "Aunt Jemima" brand pancakes, pancake flour, and syrup.
• "Mammy" cookie jars.
• "Mammy" was a song performed in the 1927 Warner Bros. film The Jazz Singer by Al Jolson in blackface.
• Mammy was a key character in the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film Gone With the Wind, played by Hattie McDaniel. McDaniel won an Oscar for her performance.
• Mammy Two-Shoes is the character name for the black maid, voiced by Lillian Randolph, in MGM's Tom and Jerry cartoons. Her moniker derives from the fact that she is almost always seen only from the torso down.