Talk:List of ethnic slurs

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European ethnic slurs.

I have a problem with this entry:

"Cowboy (Europe) an American, often used by political cartoonists. (Not offensive to many Americans.)[55]"

I'm from Europe and the expression 'cowboy' doesn't imply anything about ethnicity. It's occasionally used as a synonym for rugged machismo or recklessness, but that seems broadly similar to the connotations it has inside the US.

Also:

Cracker (U.S.) poor Southerner, "poor white trash", first used in the 19th century.[56] By extension, white people in general. (Europe) People with blue eyes and blonde hair. (Southeast Asia) White people (usually White Americans).

Isn't a term in widespread use in Europe, although some might recognise it from the US mass media. It certainly isn't used to specifically target people with blonde hair and blue eyes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.216.153 (talk) 15:36, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Fixed. All dubious removed. `'Míkka>t 20:07, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

Eta

Who keeps removing the Japanese slur of "eta?" How is it not qualified to be in this article? --Jacobking (talk) 00:05, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

While I wasn't the one who was deleting the word, I can understand why it was deleted. You're right that it's a slur, but (1) it's debatable whether it's really "racial" or "ethnic" and (2) it's NOT part of the English-language. Eta roughly means "filth" in Japanese associated with the Burakumin (hi-nin is another, albeit archaic, slur along those lines). I've read how sociologists like Tom Gill and even the Burakumin Liberation League strongly object to having the Burakumin identified as a separate "race" or "ethnicity." They are Japanese who were unjustly categorized in the pre-Meiji caste system as the bottom of the ladder. Full stop. Consequently, it doesn't make sense to include eta within a list of "ethnic slurs" in the English-language. Maybe you should try adding it the Japanese Wikipedia? J Readings (talk) 01:49, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Nigger

I have a major problem with this word used for darker skinned people in general. I have never heard it used for Indians and I think it's a complete error to have this word mean "anyone with brown or darker skin, such as an Indian" because it is WRONG. THIS SHOULD BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY!!

Huh? There was no request for censorship or advocacy; instead, there was a question of accuracy. It doesn't seem to be so frequent now, but the use of "nigger" to refer to Indians was unfortunately common in earlier times. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 06:52, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for the clarification. If it is not so frequent now, then why is it presented as that being the general definition of nigger? It should be updated and not misrepresented.

I've heard in person a number of times 'Nigger' used to insult Indians and Arabs, though for the latter the specification 'Sand Nigger' is more common. D Boland (talk) 02:38, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Jig, Jigga, Jiggaboo, ect...

It should also be noted that this term "Jiggaboo" or "Jigga" or "Jig" is frequently used in a non-hostile way to describe a good looking girl of any race. Typically it is seen in this way as a complement rather than a slur only refering to black people. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.13.4.229 (talk) 01:02, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

suggestion for including additional slurs:

additional slurs:

Tommy (Germany, Austria) was widely used in WWI and WWII to adress British soldiers. Similiar to the British term Fritz for Germans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Atkins

Iwan (Germany, Austria) was widely used in WWI and WWII to adress Russian soldiers.

Froschfresser (Germany, Austria) is a insulting word for a French person. Translated it means frog eater. Comes from the French recipe for eating frogs' legs.

Franzmann (Germany) a mildly derogatory word for the French. It is a very old word, which also can be found in some Goethe texts, f.e. Faust I afaik. If someone has got additional info on Franzmann, please fill in.

Käskopf (Germany) is a derogatory term for a Dutch person, and means cheese head. Comes from the fact, that the Dutch are one of the world's biggest producers of cheese and that one of the most sold and most known type of cheese is the Dutch Gouda.

Itaker, also often spellt Itacker (Germany, Austria) is a derogatory term for Italians. The term appeared first in the Austrian army during WWI, but was widely used again during WWII by German and Austrian froces adressing Italian soldiers. Since the 1960ies and 70ies the term was commonly used as a derogatory word for all Italians. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itaker

Spaghettifresser (Germany) is a insulting term for Italians. Translated it means Spaghetti eater.

Jugo (Germany) is a derogatory word adressing immigrants from the former Republic of Yugoslavia. The term derived from the German word Jugoslawien for Yugoslavia.

Inselaffe (Germany) is an offensive term adressing specifically the English, translated it means island monkey. Allthough the Welsh, Scottish and Irish are also situated on the British islands, they are never adressed with this term. Comes from the opinion, that the English have got an anti continental European island mentality with the tendency to seperate themselves from continental Europeans. The term has got connotations of beeing degenerated, because of supposed incestuous relationships, while living on an island.

Kanake, also often spellt Kanacke (Germany, Austria) is a derogatory word used in Germany for immigrants and foreigners. Originally used to refer to Italian, Greek, and Spanish immigrants, it now is more commonly used against immigrants of Turkish, Arab or Persian descent. The word originally derived from the New Caledonian or Kanaky word for human: "Kanaka." Kanak Sprak is a term used for the German dialect and manner of speech used among Turks in modern Germany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanake

Schlitzauge (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) is a derogatory term for people of East Asian origin, translated it means slit eye. It is considered to be very insulting, since it's compareable with the English word cunt eye.

Mulucke or Muluck [Mulucks = plural] (Germany) is a derogatory term for immigrants of Turkish, Arab, North-African or Persian descent. Derived either from the inhabitants of the Moluccan islands or, which is more likely, from the historic Mamluks (Mamelucken in German). The term has got a derogatory undertone, which is implying, that the adressed persons are backward, uncivilised and tend to aggressiveness.

Neger (Germany, Austria) is a derogatory term for dark skinned people. The term came into the German language in the 17th century from the French word nègre and the Spanish word negro, which both derived from the Latin word niger for black. Because of its racistic connotation, the term is only used by racists and far right wing people. The term is very much comparebale with the English word Nigger, which more and more displaces the German term. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neger

- corrections of my English and discussions are very much welcome -

• This is English language encyclopedia and only words that have significant presence in English speech may be discussed in this article. `'Míkka>t 17:09, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

• Ok, sorry for the misunderstanding on my side. Are you going to let the text stay in here for someone, who may want to write a German wikipedia slurs list or ist it going to be deleted? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jemand anderes (talk • contribs) 17:22, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

I wanted to suggest an edit on the descrption for "Coolie". This word is present in Tamil language as well (refer to wiki page for this coolie. (North America) unskilled Asian labor, usually Chinese (originally used in 19th-century for Chinese railroad labor). Possibly from Hindi/Telugu/Tamil kuli, day laborer. --Jango7777 (talk) 23:13, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Additional slur: Why isn't "Jap" in here? It's highly offensive to people of Japanese ancestry.(Myscrnnm (talk) 03:15, 20 March 2008 (UTC))

Niglet, Spiclet, Chinklet, etc. (US) There should be a mention of these terms for babies or young children, or a general entry explaining the versatility of the suffix "-let" as it pertains to racial slurs. At the very least, add Niglet as it is already recognized in Wiktionary. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niglet

Frogs

I thought this came from the green French army uniform in about Napoleonic times, not just eating them. 80.0.101.168 (talk) 15:10, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Gook

g@@k

(U.S. military slang) a derogatory term for foreigners, especially south-east Asians, e.g. Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese. The etymology of this racial slur is shrouded in mystery, disagreement, and controversy. The Oxford English Dictionary admits that its origin in "unknown".

• According to Random House Unabridged Dictionary, "a native of Southeast Asia or the South Pacific, esp. when a member of an enemy military force. any dark-skinned foreigner, esp. one from the Middle East."
• According to Princeton University Dictionary, it described as "a disparaging term for an Asian person. (especially for North Vietnamese soldiers in the Vietnam War)."
• According to Online Etymology Dictionary, "1899, U.S. military slang for 'Filipino' during the insurrection there, probably from a native word, or imitative of the babbling sound of their language to American ears (cf. barbarian). The term goo-goo eyes 'soft, seductive eyes' was in vogue c.1900 and may have contributed to this somehow. Extended over time to 'Nicaraguan,' 'any Pacific Islander' (World War II), 'Korean' (1950s), 'Vietnamese' and 'any Asian' (1960s)."
• According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, "Used as a disparaging term for a person of East Asian birth or descent. Perhaps alteration of earlier goo-goo, native inhabitant of the Philippines, Pacific islander."

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gook

I think Etymology Dictionary is more close to fact. this U.S military slang started from philippine, and spread to other asian enemy of US military. Philippine -> Pacific Islander(Japan) -> Korean war(Korean) -> Vietnam war (Vietnamese)

Nowdays, This slang mainly used to 'dark skin' asian, including middle east people. Manacpowers (talk) 14:25, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Cockney

fourby = jew (four by two) (yes, this is real not a modern reinvention), any other real ones? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.49.9.94 (talk) 15:09, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Profession Specific Racial Slurs

I was reading the archives and noticed 'Canadian' was removed because someone mistook it for a racial slur against Canadians, and didn't understand the targets(victims) of the term, and reason for its existence.

'Canadian' is a racial slur for blacks. It is only used by servers in full service restaurants; "I've got a table of Canadians" is substituted for "I've got a table of blacks". The functional reason is to avoid a patron overhearing a server talking about a 'table of blacks'; possibly in a negative way. But additionally, the term 'Canadians', among servers, does carry the negative connotations that they often wish to imply to one another; as blacks are stereotyped as demanding/needy customers and bad tippers. "I've just got some Canadians" groans the server, rolling her eyes. "They're all going to drink like 5 flavored drinks, want extra everything, and then they won't tip." The typical signified of the term, a Canadian national, is in no way connected to the way the sign 'Canadians' as used in this context however. Choice of the term has nothing to do with attitudes toward Canadians.

Other less common terms for blacks among servers are 'Celebrities' (an allusion to a stereotype regarding how younger blacks dress and act, and the stereotype that blacks are more demanding than other customers.) Also, they are occasionally called 'Mondays'; after a joke among servers: "I've got some Mondays, nobody likes them either." These two slurs may actually be unique to the restaurants I've worked at, as I've only heard them used in two different restaurants.

The term 'Canadians' is universal though, it is used in every full service restaurant. Anybody who has been a server for more than a few months at such a workplace will have come into contact with the term. I think it should be on the list.--Winjammer (talk) 07:23, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

For a citation, I found a newspaper article from seattle times. You can also google around a bit and find many recent blog entries. Though most of them tend to refer to it as a "new euphamism" used by "southern racists", neither of which are unequivocally true. The word has been around for at least 10 years not (that's when I started waiting tables, and I've heard it since then). And it is used in both southern and northern restaurants, and primarily by only waitstaff (and not just any racist). For these waiters, it is not an issue of racism thought as much as an issue of business, I promise. They are concerned with money, and don't care who gives it to them. But when you don't give them money, they get mad; even more so when you make them work harder than someone who does give them money would (that is, you are very demanding, particular, and touchy). A euphamism is invented for black people because it is VERY bad to say anything negative about blacks, due to real issues in america. Waiters will gripe about poor whites and europeans by name though; it is quite OK to do that. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrylarge/2003051233_jdl11.html Winjammer (talk) 16:58, 16 March 2008 (UTC)