POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
Jul 16th 2004, 7:12 pm
#1
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POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
Limey
Yank
Merkin
Kiwi
Frog
Kraut
Dago
Wop
All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
Limey
Yank
Merkin
Kiwi
Frog
Kraut
Dago
Wop
All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
Jul 16th 2004, 8:31 pm
#2
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Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
I'm never offended by names for my culture.
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Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
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Jul 17th 2004, 2:22 am
#3
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Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
Thomas wrote:
> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
> Limey
> Yank
> Merkin
> Kiwi
> Frog
> Kraut
> Dago
> Wop
> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>
>
Frog, Kraut, Dago and Wop are NEVER said in a non derogatory fashion
Americans from the south don't much like yank but it doesn't bother
northerners and most poeple don't know the unpleasant meaning of Merkin
> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
> Limey
> Yank
> Merkin
> Kiwi
> Frog
> Kraut
> Dago
> Wop
> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>
>
Frog, Kraut, Dago and Wop are NEVER said in a non derogatory fashion
Americans from the south don't much like yank but it doesn't bother
northerners and most poeple don't know the unpleasant meaning of Merkin
Jul 17th 2004, 2:47 am
#4
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Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
in article [email protected], Thomas at
[email protected] wrote on 07/17/2004 8:12 AM:
> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
> Limey
> Yank
> Merkin
> Kiwi
> Frog
> Kraut
> Dago
> Wop
> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>
>
As an American I can only respond to two of your examples personally. The
term "Yank" doesn't offend me at all. It's not used in a derogatory sense
from what I've seen. I wear that label with pride, and note that it's used
by others with affection. On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
little education or intelligence. (Its use may well be justified by the
facts, but I doubt whether its use ever advances the possibility of
agreement, or enhances good will.)
I would never use terms such as "Kraut", "Dago", "Wop", or "Frog". They
almost always carry insulting connotations, and are likely to provoke
antagonistic responses. Whether in real life, or here in the newsgroups,
I've learned that it's best to try to avoid antagonisms.
"Limey" or "Kiwi" may or may not be appropriate. I'm not aware that either
carries any rude baggage. Indeed, where I've seen them they seem to be used
with a sense of affection, and received with a sense of pride. Much the way
that an American would hear "Yank". However, if I was aware that the hearer
would be offended by either such term, I'd steer clear of them.
HH
[email protected] wrote on 07/17/2004 8:12 AM:
> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
> Limey
> Yank
> Merkin
> Kiwi
> Frog
> Kraut
> Dago
> Wop
> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>
>
As an American I can only respond to two of your examples personally. The
term "Yank" doesn't offend me at all. It's not used in a derogatory sense
from what I've seen. I wear that label with pride, and note that it's used
by others with affection. On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
little education or intelligence. (Its use may well be justified by the
facts, but I doubt whether its use ever advances the possibility of
agreement, or enhances good will.)
I would never use terms such as "Kraut", "Dago", "Wop", or "Frog". They
almost always carry insulting connotations, and are likely to provoke
antagonistic responses. Whether in real life, or here in the newsgroups,
I've learned that it's best to try to avoid antagonisms.
"Limey" or "Kiwi" may or may not be appropriate. I'm not aware that either
carries any rude baggage. Indeed, where I've seen them they seem to be used
with a sense of affection, and received with a sense of pride. Much the way
that an American would hear "Yank". However, if I was aware that the hearer
would be offended by either such term, I'd steer clear of them.
HH
Jul 17th 2004, 3:12 am
#5
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Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
jenn <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
> Thomas wrote:
>
>> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
>> Limey
>> Yank
>> Merkin
>> Kiwi
>> Frog
>> Kraut
>> Dago
>> Wop
>> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>>
>>
>
> Frog, Kraut, Dago and Wop are NEVER said in a non derogatory fashion
>
> Americans from the south don't much like yank but it doesn't bother
> northerners and most poeple don't know the unpleasant meaning of Merkin
absolutely ;-) but if they did . . .
Brit comes to mind for residents of at least the southern portion of the
English domain.(though some of the southwesterners may disagree)
But I am with Jenn most names that don't come from the culture are likely
to be offensive, but even then used with caution if one is not of the
culture. Hence Cracker decscribes many residents of S Georgia and N Florida
in the US but though they may take pride in the name, they can sense that
it is not always used with love.
> Thomas wrote:
>
>> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
>> Limey
>> Yank
>> Merkin
>> Kiwi
>> Frog
>> Kraut
>> Dago
>> Wop
>> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>>
>>
>
> Frog, Kraut, Dago and Wop are NEVER said in a non derogatory fashion
>
> Americans from the south don't much like yank but it doesn't bother
> northerners and most poeple don't know the unpleasant meaning of Merkin
absolutely ;-) but if they did . . .
Brit comes to mind for residents of at least the southern portion of the
English domain.(though some of the southwesterners may disagree)
But I am with Jenn most names that don't come from the culture are likely
to be offensive, but even then used with caution if one is not of the
culture. Hence Cracker decscribes many residents of S Georgia and N Florida
in the US but though they may take pride in the name, they can sense that
it is not always used with love.
Jul 17th 2004, 3:45 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 14:47:48 +0000 (UTC), Hawth Hill <[email protected]>
wrote:
>in article [email protected], Thomas at
>[email protected] wrote on 07/17/2004 8:12 AM:
>> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
>> Limey
>> Yank
>> Merkin
>> Kiwi
>> Frog
>> Kraut
>> Dago
>> Wop
>> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>>
>>
>As an American I can only respond to two of your examples personally. The
>term "Yank" doesn't offend me at all. It's not used in a derogatory sense
>from what I've seen. I wear that label with pride, and note that it's used
>by others with affection. On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>little education or intelligence. (Its use may well be justified by the
>facts, but I doubt whether its use ever advances the possibility of
>agreement, or enhances good will.)
>I would never use terms such as "Kraut", "Dago", "Wop", or "Frog". They
>almost always carry insulting connotations, and are likely to provoke
>antagonistic responses. Whether in real life, or here in the newsgroups,
>I've learned that it's best to try to avoid antagonisms.
>"Limey" or "Kiwi" may or may not be appropriate. I'm not aware that either
>carries any rude baggage. Indeed, where I've seen them they seem to be used
>with a sense of affection, and received with a sense of pride. Much the way
>that an American would hear "Yank". However, if I was aware that the hearer
>would be offended by either such term, I'd steer clear of them.
>HH
I am probably one of the few true Limeys left.
On the troopship out ot India in 1944 we were
served a mug of limejuice each day.
wrote:
>in article [email protected], Thomas at
>[email protected] wrote on 07/17/2004 8:12 AM:
>> I'm sticking to Europe and the Commenwealth here, but:
>> Limey
>> Yank
>> Merkin
>> Kiwi
>> Frog
>> Kraut
>> Dago
>> Wop
>> All are said in a non derogatory fashion.
>>
>>
>As an American I can only respond to two of your examples personally. The
>term "Yank" doesn't offend me at all. It's not used in a derogatory sense
>from what I've seen. I wear that label with pride, and note that it's used
>by others with affection. On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>little education or intelligence. (Its use may well be justified by the
>facts, but I doubt whether its use ever advances the possibility of
>agreement, or enhances good will.)
>I would never use terms such as "Kraut", "Dago", "Wop", or "Frog". They
>almost always carry insulting connotations, and are likely to provoke
>antagonistic responses. Whether in real life, or here in the newsgroups,
>I've learned that it's best to try to avoid antagonisms.
>"Limey" or "Kiwi" may or may not be appropriate. I'm not aware that either
>carries any rude baggage. Indeed, where I've seen them they seem to be used
>with a sense of affection, and received with a sense of pride. Much the way
>that an American would hear "Yank". However, if I was aware that the hearer
>would be offended by either such term, I'd steer clear of them.
>HH
I am probably one of the few true Limeys left.
On the troopship out ot India in 1944 we were
served a mug of limejuice each day.
Jul 17th 2004, 4:35 am
#7
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Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
"Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
something about intelligence, say what?
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 14:47:48 +0000 (UTC), Hawth Hill
<[email protected]> wrote:
<snipped> On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>little education or intelligence.
"Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
something about intelligence, say what?
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 14:47:48 +0000 (UTC), Hawth Hill
<[email protected]> wrote:
<snipped> On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>little education or intelligence.
Jul 17th 2004, 5:03 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
Carole Allen wrote:
> Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
> "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
> something about intelligence, say what?
yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
>
> On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 14:47:48 +0000 (UTC), Hawth Hill
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> <snipped> On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>
>>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>>little education or intelligence.
>
>
>
> Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
> "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
> something about intelligence, say what?
yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
>
> On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 14:47:48 +0000 (UTC), Hawth Hill
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> <snipped> On the other hand, the term "Merkin" carries with
>
>>it a sense of derision and contempt that I find offensive. No one has ever
>>said it to me, but it's commonly used to belittle the current American chief
>>of state, or to belittle others in newsgroups by implying that they have
>>little education or intelligence.
>
>
>
Jul 17th 2004, 5:33 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 12:03:19 -0500, in rec.travel.europe, jenn <[email protected]> arranged
some electrons, so they looked like this :
... Carole Allen wrote:
...
... > Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
... > "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
... > something about intelligence, say what?
...
... yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
Well, he has an accent - but no intelligence.
some electrons, so they looked like this :
... Carole Allen wrote:
...
... > Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
... > "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of reflects
... > something about intelligence, say what?
...
... yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
Well, he has an accent - but no intelligence.
Jul 17th 2004, 5:41 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
He was smart enough to be elected President of the United States... How
far in life has Magda's intelligence brought her; and what funny accent
might she suffer???
Tim K
"Magda" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 12:03:19 -0500, in rec.travel.europe, jenn
<[email protected]> arranged
> some electrons, so they looked like this :
> ... Carole Allen wrote:
> ...
> ... > Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
> ... > "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of
reflects
> ... > something about intelligence, say what?
> ...
> ... yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their
intelligence
> Well, he has an accent - but no intelligence.
far in life has Magda's intelligence brought her; and what funny accent
might she suffer???
Tim K
"Magda" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 12:03:19 -0500, in rec.travel.europe, jenn
<[email protected]> arranged
> some electrons, so they looked like this :
> ... Carole Allen wrote:
> ...
> ... > Ah, but the current Chief of State in fact pronounces the word
> ... > "Merkin", along with "terrrist' or nu-kyu-ler." Sort of
reflects
> ... > something about intelligence, say what?
> ...
> ... yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their
intelligence
> Well, he has an accent - but no intelligence.
Jul 17th 2004, 5:49 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
jenn writes:
> yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Jul 17th 2004, 5:53 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 19:49:07 +0200, in rec.travel.europe, Mxsmanic <[email protected]>
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :
... jenn writes:
...
... > yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
...
... Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
... low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
He does not even know which side of a book is "up" ! Photographic proof is all over the
Internet.
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :
... jenn writes:
...
... > yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
...
... Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
... low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
He does not even know which side of a book is "up" ! Photographic proof is all over the
Internet.
Jul 17th 2004, 6:07 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
"Tim Kroesen" <[email protected]> wrote:
[about Dubya]
>He was smart enough to be elected President of the United States...
That has little to do with being smart -- it's about money,
connections, and the willingness to govern in the manner that your
influential supporters demand.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
[about Dubya]
>He was smart enough to be elected President of the United States...
That has little to do with being smart -- it's about money,
connections, and the willingness to govern in the manner that your
influential supporters demand.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
Jul 17th 2004, 6:16 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
It has everything to do with "smart" and little to do with 'intelligence
you mean... He rose to the top in a real world game of global power and
influence. Give the man some due...
Tim K
"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Tim Kroesen" <[email protected]> wrote:
> [about Dubya]
> >He was smart enough to be elected President of the United States...
> That has little to do with being smart -- it's about money,
> connections, and the willingness to govern in the manner that your
> influential supporters demand.
> --
> PB
> The return address has been MUNGED
you mean... He rose to the top in a real world game of global power and
influence. Give the man some due...
Tim K
"Padraig Breathnach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Tim Kroesen" <[email protected]> wrote:
> [about Dubya]
> >He was smart enough to be elected President of the United States...
> That has little to do with being smart -- it's about money,
> connections, and the willingness to govern in the manner that your
> influential supporters demand.
> --
> PB
> The return address has been MUNGED
Jul 17th 2004, 6:17 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: POLL: who is offended by names for your culture.
Mxsmanic <[email protected]> climbed onto an orange crate and
shouted:
>jenn writes:
>> yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
>Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
>low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
Really? What evidence do you have for this? Linguists usually
identify variant pronunciations ("nucular" for nuclear, "axe" for ask,
etc.) with regional or ethnic differences, not intelligence.
Not that I'm saying GWB is smart or well-read... but in this case his
diction is attributable to his being a make-believe southerner, rather
than to his self-admitted marginal level of literacy.
--
"Politicians & Diapers Need To Be Changed For The Same Reason"
(seen on a bumper sticker)
shouted:
>jenn writes:
>> yeah right -- a person's accent really says a lot about their intelligence
>Accent may not, but poor diction does say a lot--it usually hints at a
>low reading level (functional or total illiteracy, or limited literacy).
Really? What evidence do you have for this? Linguists usually
identify variant pronunciations ("nucular" for nuclear, "axe" for ask,
etc.) with regional or ethnic differences, not intelligence.
Not that I'm saying GWB is smart or well-read... but in this case his
diction is attributable to his being a make-believe southerner, rather
than to his self-admitted marginal level of literacy.
--
"Politicians & Diapers Need To Be Changed For The Same Reason"
(seen on a bumper sticker)
