White Comedy by Benjamin Zephaniah

black comedy n (an amusing play, story, etc. based on) BLACK HUMOUR

blackmail n the practice of obtaining money or advantage by threatening to make known unpleasant facts about a person or group

black magic n magic believed to be done with the help of evil spirits and used for evil purposes

white magic n magic used for good purposes

white lie n a harmless lie, e.g. one told so as not to hurt someone else

black sheep n black sheep someone who is thought by other members of their group to be a failure or to have brought shame on the group: the black sheep of the family

blacksmith - n a metalworker who makes and repairs things made of iron, esp. horseshoes

black spot n esp. BrE 1 a part of a road where many accidents have happened
2 any place or area of serious trouble or difficulties: The city is one of Britain's worst unemployment black spots.

blackwater fever a very severe form of the disease MALARIA, esp. in W Africa

blacklist n a list of people, groups, countries, etc., who are disapproved of for some reason and are to be avoided or punished in some way

blackleg n BrE derog someone who continues to work when their fellow workers are on strike

black art also black arts pl.- n [the] BLACK MAGIC

Black Death n [the] the illness (probably BUBONIC PLAGUE) that killed large numbers of people in Europe and Asia in the 14th century. In Britain the Black Death is connected with the men who went round the streets to collect the dead bodies calling out “Bring out your dead!”

blackjack /n a card game, usu. played for money

Black Watch [the] the common name for the Royal Highland Regiment, a REGIMENT (=large division of men) in the British army

blackguard / n old use or humor a man of completely dishonourable character

black economy n [the] business activity that is carried on unofficially, esp. in order to avoid taxation


Blackshirt /n a member of a FASCIST organization having a black shirt as part of its uniform (from the Italian Fascist Party before the Second World War, whose members wore black shirts)

Black Mass n a ceremony in which worshippers of the devil use forms like those of Christian worship

wog
n BrE taboo derog a foreigner, esp. of a dark-skinned race (considered extremely offensive)


Articles on Zephaniah:
http://takeitfurther.blogspot.com/2007/04/benjamin-zephaniah.html
http://takeitfurther.blogspot.com/2007/04/onegroove012jpg.html

Update:
A Lesson Plan by
Sabrina De Vita

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