Should we avoid using (or translating into) words with little known racist etymologies? I avoid the word 'gyp'' in English, even though most people no longer associate it with or consider it derogatory towards gypsies. But what about the other words in this interesting post on 8 racist words you are likely to hear every day. The other seven are:
hooligan
vandal
hip hip hooray
barbarian
bugger
cannibal
and picnic.
Know the racist origins of ANY of those? Then does it matter if you use them?
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2 comments:
The etymology of "picnic" is not racist, despite some claims. Even the cited article points this out. As far as the other seven, I am not yet convinced that they are either - the source cited is a humor website, and perhaps not the most rigorously researched.
it's true, it's true - I was trying to be provocative! : )
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