Talk:Wop

The term WOP does mean with out papers. I know some history revisionists are trying to claim that it doesn't but it does. Many Italian immigrants arriving did not have proper documentation of their citizenship, so the term WOP was dubbed. The idea that the term has its roots in the Italian term guappo lacks credibility as it is unlikely that Italians would use a word to disparage all Italians, and Americans in New York in the early part of the century, where and when the term originated. Immigrants to America were asked to provide their documents upon arrival to America, prior to 1921, as this link from Ellis Island proves. As such I am going to edit the article, where it says that documents weren't needed. http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_history.asp --70.30.71.161 (talk) 21:48, 18 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

"Wop" as an ethnic slur

This usage of the term "wop" is pretty clearly regional, not universal within English, even within American English, so the incessant removal of all references to any other meanings given the term is mysterious to me. Is there really such a strong attachment to this term as an ethnic slur that there's no room for consideration of the undeniable fact that its use as anything else is prohibited mention here? Tomer ^talk 07:33, 25 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I always thought the term was aimed at mediterranean people and not just Italians? 194.193.170.84 13:10, 18 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Are there citations to back this up? I recently saw a History Channel Documentary on Ellis Island and immigration, and they claim that Wop DOES stand for "With Out Papers," and from what I know, I know the History Channel to be fairly spot on. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 140.228.140.86 (talk) 06:00, 4 October 2007 (UTC) The History Channel has its share of historic revisionism..far from spot on ! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.53.37.89 (talk) 22:33, 8 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Those without papers prior to 1921 were logged with 'wop' and allowed entry ... duh! After 1921 they were turned away! That's what's wrong with wikipedia, any idiot can rewrite history! WOP - Without Papers/Passport. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.165.153.58 (talk) 17:17, 28 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

If that's the case, how come it came to be associated with Italians? Were they the only people who got in 'without papers'? Seems doubtful. The 'guappo' explanation sounds more plausible. There are 'backronyms' all over the place (like the preposterous 'ship high in transit') and this seems like one. 86.128.47.6 (talk) 23:22, 26 September 2008 (UTC) Al[reply]

Martin Scorsese suggested on the audio commentary on Goodfellas that WOP meaning Without Passports was especially relevant with Italians as those from Sicily and other parts of the south had a very low status in Italy, and thus were most likely not to have any official documents. Then again, another idea I've heard is that WOP came from turning POW around - less likely if it was in use before WW2, but perhaps all 3 ideas have blurred into one (largely negative) image over time?--MartinUK (talk) 20:06, 9 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Minor correction to main article: —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.246.73.8 (talk) 09:22, 27 January 2009 (UTC) The picture and caption used in this article seem highly inappropriate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.78.60.231 (talk) 15:44, 6 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I would like to know who is putting out such bad mis-information. My grand-father came over from Italy just after WW I and I have seen his immigration papers stamped with WOP in large bold red letters. He was very proud of those papers because he could show all us "kids" what he overcame. He landed with less than 50 cents to his name and within 10 years owned his own embroidery business. I remember going into his office and seeing his immigration papers framed and hanging on the wall behind his desk for everyone he did business to see. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE THE GRANDSON OF A WOP.....GET THE STORY RIGHT OR GET OFF LINE!!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Goofy59 (talk • contribs) 08:24, 18 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

on an episode of modern marvels on the history channel that discussed the statue of liberty and ellis island, they claimed that the slur "wop" originated from the era of mass immigration to america from europe, and it is an acronym for "without Papers." they also claimed that the term 'kike' has a similar origin... people's jackets were marked with a symbol for their religion - christians got a cross, and jews got a circle; they claimed the yiddish (i assume) word for circle is kikel, and so jewish people became known as kikels, or kikes. i haven't done any research into this myself, but it seems plausible.