What is the origin of the term anchor baby?

Answer 1

This term originated in the late 1980's. It is a derogatory term referring to the Vietnamese who immigrated to the United States. That the Vietnamese were called boat people led to the children that were born in the states to be called "anchor babies". This was because their "boats" were now anchored to the states by virtue of Immigration law concerning children born in the United States.

Answer 2

anchor

O.E. ancor, borrowed 9c. from L. ancora, from or cognate with Gk. ankyra "anchor, hook" (see ankle). A very early borrowing and said to be the only L. nautical term used in the Gmc. languages. The -ch- spelling emerged late 16c., in imitation of a misspelling of the L. word. The fig. sense of "that which gives stability or security" is from 1382. Meaning "host or presenter of a TV or radio program" is from 1965, short for anchorman (1958), which earlier meant "the last man of a tug-of-war team" (1909) and "the one who runs last in a relay race" (1934). The verb is first attested c.1230.

"Anchors are of various sizes. The largest is the SHEET-anchor; next in size are the BOWER-anchors, hung in the bows of ships; the smallest is the KEDGE-anchor." [OED]

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary

Answer 3

Old English ancor, borrowed directly from 9th. century Latin ancora, form or cognate (?)with Greek. ankyra"anchor, hook" Interestingly, 'anchor' is believed to be the only nautical term directly sourced from Latin, rather than adopted from any of the great sailing civilizations; Scandinavia, Germania, Saxony, Hanseatic League, Venice, Portugal, Phoenecia, etc.