Is this term any more distinguishing of 'them and us' than the terms 'black' and 'white'?
Or for that matter 'gay and straight' or taken to the literal of 'male and female'?
This is one of those arguments that is constantly discussed at the Home Office Centre for Excellence in diversity and equal opportunity at Turvey, Bedfordshire - and they still haven't got the correct answer after 20 years of debate.
I remember attending a course and spending 3 days on this very subject - and was still none the wiser at the end of it. Now I just ask people what they define their ethnicity as - that way hopefully noone gets offended. Assumption is not always wise.

Dread - x

Come on everybody, it is only our country that is so "politically correct"

white is white, brown is brown, and black is black. end of story

and it is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo sad my grandchildren can't have a good old "gollywog"

Agree with what you have said as a distinguishing feature you describe people how they are; when a 'white' person has been seen running from a crime scene the police don't question 'black' people.
My point was regarding the general term 'coloured' my husband, children and friends are 'people' not 'coloureds'. In the UK this is generally so but I can assure you that on the few occasions that the term is used it generally indicates negativity.

Noni couldn't they just be 'people' I doubt if you say that you are inviting 'gingers' or 'baldies' to your party !!
As to gollywogs they were a caricature of black people who came to be insulted as 'wogs'. Not particularly kind.

My daughters friend is back here from Auz. They had a national hug a ginger day whilst he was there! No gingers were offended it seems, although they were sore from the hugs.

The Wog word came long before Robinsons started making Jam Bipat
The word is offensive, for sure. I never saw why the Jam label was seen to be. Sorry. I spent a lot of time with mixed races in Birmingham in the 70's and 80's, and quite often they were all a bit bemused as well about who these things are percieved.

After a lovely bank holiday week of sunshine, I am quite a nice shade of tan/golden/beige I am, however, referred to as white. I do not complain and I'm not offended.

I know that this is a prickly subject for you Bipat - but when I am with a "coloured friend" I don't notice they are coloured, they are all the same to me. Many people are called Ginger/Ging because of their hair colour, and definately the baldies are called baldi buy their true friends and many call themselves that. Think how many people are called four eyes!

French are Frogs, Italians I'ties.etc

Call me what you like, but don't call me for money

Hello whitey

Mitzy: I did not mention 'the jam'
I was discussing the gollywog toy (as was Noni) apparently these were produced first in the 19th century, as a caricature of black people. I had one in childhood, but have learn't more since. Although I agree 'political correctness' can go to ridiculous lengths at times.
Confession; I am a 'ginger' and one of my Indian relatives is convinced that all gingers have dyed hair. (Although must be realising now the grey is appearing).
.

What about the Ginger Indians don't they look daft.
Not hair colour at it's best - that is why I take me own dizzy blonde of course!

I accept your point Noni; there are many people like yourself who really don't see colour.
However one becomes a little 'prickly' at times when nearest and dearest are insulted (and it does still happen).

It's henna, Noni. Very obvious I agree but all the poor things have. A relative aged 90 just passed away, used henna 'till the last. You had to admire her spirit.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to dye 'black' hair realistically as it always looks too solid black.

Yes, but I know many indians who "paint their hair" black as they call it, and it does not look as bad as Ginger - or they should grow old gracefully

There is so much rubbish written about the so-called abusive racist term wog and its etymology that i couldn't sit here and let it pass with out writing some thing.Its been associated with the word Gollywog and ultimately Robertson's Jam of all things.....! The term originated in Calcutta, India around the 1880s or maybe earlier.It refers to Anglo-Indians or upper class Indians who adopted the dress and manners of the ruling Raj.It could also refer to Indians who took to the law in legal disputes.Its an acronym for Western or Worthy Oriental Gentleman.Its original meaning was for some one to watch out for being a nuisance in business or law or generally some one who got on your nerves a bit.

PS...its usually people of the Muslim faith who die their hair orange by using Henna to thicken it due to oncoming baldness or the greyness.Its quite common in Delhi