Mudblood

Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society

"It's a disgusting thing to call someone... Dirty blood, see. Common blood."

— Explanation of the term "Mudblood"

Mudblood was a highly derogatory term for either a Muggle or a Muggle-born or half-blood wizard or witch, though more so the former than the latter; that is, individuals with close Muggle relatives. While there did not appear to be any difference in the magical power of Muggle-borns and half-bloods compared to those who were pure-blood, pure-blood supremacists still considered them to be of "lower breeding" and that they were supposed to be "third-class citizens". Mudblood itself was a term meaning that Muggle-borns had "dirty" blood and were a big disgrace to the wizarding world, and thus had no right to be a witch/wizard and were undeserving of magic.

The slur implied that the individual has "dirty blood" and was considered extremely offensive. There were apparently other, less commonly used terms with a similar meaning, such as "creature of dirt".

History of use

"Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book."

— Pure-blood Bellatrix Lestrange using the slur

Bellatrix Lestrange carved the slur into Hermione Granger's arm

Many older wizarding families placed great emphasis on blood purity and rejected association with Muggles and Muggle-borns, all of whom they considered greatly inferior to themselves. The notion was foremost in the minds of Dark wizards, particularly including Gellert Grindelwald and his followers, along with the Death Eaters, Snatchers, and other followers of Lord Voldemort. Bigoted half-bloods like Voldemort also shared these prejudices and used the term Mudblood. It is possible that some well-meaning pure-blood families espoused this prejudice as well, but to a less virulent degree. Notably, some pure-bloods, such as members of the Weasley family, rejected these prejudices and were considered "blood traitors" or "Mudblood-lovers" as a result.

The British Ministry of Magic Muggle-Born Registration Commission

The term "Mudblood" was generally not used in polite society, as it was considered highly offensive and vulgar, on par with the racial epithets often heard in the Muggle world; however, many pure-blood families thought of Muggle-borns that way even without using the slur.

However, when Voldemort was in control of the British Ministry of Magic in 1997, the term became more prevalent, appearing even in the Daily Prophet and Ministry propaganda. A witch working for the Muggle-born Registration Commission used the term freely and without fear of backlash. This was in line with Death Eater ideology being disseminated to the general public, which claimed that Muggle-borns were not "real" wizards and witches.

Use by Draco Malfoy

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood."

— Draco Malfoy throwing the slur at Hermione Granger

Ron Weasley tried to curse Draco Malfoy after he called Hermione Granger a "Mudblood"

When Draco Malfoy called Hermione Granger a Mudblood in 1992, he was nearly attacked by several members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and was nearly cursed by Ronald Weasley. When the Chamber of Secrets was opened he stated "You'll be next, Mudbloods!".

When Harry Potter and Ron Weasley disguised themselves as Draco's friends Crabbe and Goyle (with the use of Polyjuice Potion), Malfoy described Harry as "Saint Potter, the Mudbloods' friend. He's another one with no proper wizard feeling, or he wouldn't go around with that jumped up Granger Mudblood". Draco also used the term to refer to those who had been petrified and taken to the Hospital Wing, telling whom he thought was Crabbe, "Well, go up to the hospital wing and give all those Mudbloods a kick from me".

At the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, Malfoy called Hermione a Muggle. When Harry responded that she was a witch, Malfoy said "Have it your own way, Potter. If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are". Weeks later, Malfoy handed out "Potter Stinks!" badges and said "Want one, Granger? I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it, you see; don't want a Mudblood sliming it up". When Hermione told Harry and Ron that someone had asked her to the Yule Ball, Malfoy overheard and said "You're joking, Weasley! You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?"

As part of Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad, Draco Malfoy took ten points from Gryffindor because Hermione was a "Mudblood". In Madam Malkin's shop in 1996, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked in, Malfoy said, "If you're wondering what the smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in". When confronting Dumbledore on the Astronomy Tower, Malfoy bragged about his attempts to murder the Headmaster. He said he got one of his ideas from Hermione and called her a "Mudblood" in the process.

Use by Muggle-borns

Hermione Granger: "I'm hunted quite as much as any goblin or elf, Griphook! I'm a Mudblood!"

Ron Weasley: "Don't call yourself —"

Hermione Granger: "Why shouldn't I? Mudblood, and proud of it!"

— Hermione's refusal to let the word bother her

There were some Muggle-borns who refused to allow the term to be degrading to them. For example, Lily Evans told her former friend Severus Snape that if he was going to refer to other Muggle-borns as "Mudbloods", then he had to use the term for her as well, not minding it much when he did so. Hermione Granger declared that she was proud to be a "Mudblood" in 1998.

Usage of the term

"Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who is Muggle-born — you know, non-magic parents. There are some wizards — like Malfoy's family — who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood."

— Ron explaining the term to Harry Potter

Person Who Used the Term	Referring to	Notes
Merula Snyde	Ben Copper	Used the term to bully Muggle-born Ben Copper throughout the 1984–1985 school year.
Ron Weasley	Term itself	Explained its meaning to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger in 1992.
Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort	All Muggle-borns	His soul in his diary used the term in the Chamber of Secrets in 1993 while speaking to Harry Potter. Mentioned the term several times throughout the Second Wizarding War and referred to Lily Evans this way when taunting Harry Potter about death and during their final duel in 1998.
Severus Snape	Lily Evans	Snape lashed out after Lily came to his assistance when he was being bullied by James Potter and Sirius Black in 1975. It resulted in the loss of his friendship with Lily, and would forever be his worst memory. Afterwards, Snape disliked even hearing the word "Mudblood" and at many times forbade its usage.
Lily Evans		After Snape tried to apologise for calling Lily a Mudblood, she retorted: "But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?"
	Herself
	All Muggle-borns
Kreacher	Hermione Granger	In 1995 and 1997 at 12 Grimmauld Place. "Mudbloods and traitors and scum…".
Portrait of Walburga Black	All Muggle-borns	Screamed on multiple occasions at the members of the Order of the Phoenix. "MUDBLOODS! SCUM! CREATURES OF DIRT!'"
Marvolo Gaunt		When Bob Ogden, a Ministry official, came to the family home to arrest Marvolo's son, Morfin Gaunt.
Draco Malfoy	Hermione Granger	Malfoy first called Hermione a "Mudblood" in 1992; this was also the first time Harry Potter ever heard the term. Malfoy also called her a "Mudblood" on many other occasions. After cornering Albus Dumbledore in the Astronomy Tower in 1997, Draco explained that he got the idea for poisoning mead after he heard Hermione Granger, whom he referred to as "the Mudblood Granger" talking about Filch not recognising potions. When Dumbledore told Draco not to use the word in his presence, Draco questioned if Dumbledore cared about him using "Mudblood" when he was about to kill Dumbledore. Like many pure-blood wizards, he is accustomed to using the term to degrade the muggle-borns.
	Term itself
Bellatrix Lestrange	Ted Tonks	Bellatrix told Voldemort in Malfoy Manor in 1997 that she and Narcissa have never seen their sister Andromeda since she married "the Mudblood". She also used the term multiple times when torturing Hermione for information in 1998
	Hermione Granger
Harry Potter	Term itself	Harry angrily forbade Kreacher from using the word after the house-elf referred to Hermione Granger as "the Mudblood".
Pamphlet maker witch	All Muggle-borns	This individual, an employee of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission wondered aloud if Dolores Umbridge was going to be interrogating "Mudbloods" all day.
Mudbloods and the Dangers They Pose to a Peaceful Pure-Blood Society		This pamphlet was printed by the Ministry of Magic when it was under Voldemort's control in 1997. It was written by Dolores Umbridge.
Pius Thicknesse		While under the Imperius Curse, the puppet Minister for Magic commented that he believed "the blood traitors are as bad as the Mudbloods" to Harry Potter disguised as Albert Runcorn".
Corban Yaxley	Mary Cattermole	Mentioned in reference to Mrs Cattermole's biased trial at the hands of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.
Portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black	Hermione Granger	The portrait referred to Hermione this way while speaking to Severus Snape, who snapped at him not to use that word.
Daily Prophet		While the newspaper was under Voldemort's control, it described Hermione as "the Mudblood who is known to be travelling with Harry Potter".
Fenrir Greyback	All Muggle-borns	While Greyback was working as a leader of a gang of Snatchers, he used the term multiple times.
Hermione Granger	Herself	Hermione referred to herself as a Mudblood while arguing with Griphook in 1998; when Ron Weasley said not to call herself that, she rejoined, "Mudblood, and proud of it!"
Vincent Crabbe	Hermione Granger	Crabbe referred to Hermione as "that Mudblood" just before attempting to use the Killing Curse on her in the Room of Requirement during the Battle of Hogwarts.

See also

• Blood purity
• Pure-blood
• Blood traitor
• Magbob

Behind the scenes

• The term likely took inspiration from the real-life slur "mud people", which was used against blacks before other slurs became more prevalent.
  • Another term, "mud races". which was used by white supremacists to describe any group from Africa, the Middle East, or Asia, or of ancestry from any of those places, and sometimes for people of European ancestry, also likely inspired the slur.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, after Draco Malfoy calls Hermione Granger a "filthy little Mudblood", it is shown that Hermione is already familiar with the term, which is odd, considering that it would be unlikely for her to hear it anywhere, and she and Rubeus Hagrid explain it to Harry Potter. Though it is possible that she could have learned about the word while doing research. In the novel, Hermione had never heard the word before, and Ron Weasley explains it to her and Harry.
• In the first part of the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Bellatrix Lestrange tortures Hermione Granger by carving the word "mudblood" on her arm. No such event ever happens in the novels. However, the scene reflects the Holocaust wherein identification numbers were tattooed on the arms of Jews in the concentration camps. This is due to J.K. Rowling's Death Eater characters being influenced by the horrors of Nazi Germany.
• Much like other ethnic slurs in real-life, Hermione in self-reference used the term ironically. This is similar to how many members of certain ethnic minorities use slurs that were previously used to degrade and insult them as a form of self-identification in their respective cultural lexicons, while looking poorly upon those outside their ethnic backgrounds who still continue to use such terms derogatorily.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game) (Nintendo DS version only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Appears in an alternate reality)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Appears in an alternate reality)
• Pottermore
• Wizarding World
• J. K. Rowling's official site
• Harry Potter: The Wand Collection
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite