Heathen

A Dictionary of Epithets and Terms of Address

Used of a person who is not conventionally religious, i.e. is not a Christian, Jew, or a Muslim.

Loosely used of a person whose behaviour is not conformist. In Bless me, Father, by Neil Boyd, a priest calls a neighbour ‘you heathen’ in mock severity when that person misrepresents a biblical story. ‘Ye yaller haythen’ is used insultingly in O.Henry’s short story The Transformation of Martin Burney.