Job Discussion Forums

[thelmadatter]

MELEE... thats an interesting phrase .. guinie grinders (tho I always spelt it "guinea" like "guinea pig" as a mild slur for Italians). Where are you from? Im from NJ where guinie/guinea still had some sting (like its use in "The Godfather"), at least when I was young. Might have lost all its sting by now like "polack" has.

I really enjoyed reading the naco article, too. I used to live in Sierra Vista and had no idea that naco had any derogatory meaning... or any meaning at all until I came to central Mexico. I really liked the last line... "we are naquenses... not nacos" But I noticed here too the trend to take what is originally an insult and turn it into a term of pride (like many gays have done with "*beep*"). I rather like that, to be honest. Its a great tactic against those who would put you down, and further proof that it isnt the word itself that is insulting, it is the speaker's intention.

[kristanitza]

I'm ashamed to say this thread has sucked me in. I think it solidifies the point that words are innocent victims of human abuse. Since Bush & Co., the word "American" has been used as an insult to = stupid, etc. "Oh, he wouldn't know....he's American." I heard this sort of thing in Europe quite a bit (among backpackers).
CWC mentioned eliminating potentially offensive words from our vocabulary. Stepping out of the role of teacher for a minute, this made me think of the V-Day movement (Vagina Monologues) Eve Ensler's goal was to take an extremely offensive word for a female organ and reclaim it, turn it into a word of pride (Ladies, you probably know the word I"m talking about.) Yes, we have one. Can't deny that. How dare we let society use it as an insult? I think that's what's happening with the n-word and mojado. If it's reclaimed by the intended targets then, that�s empowering. As for the flogging, the fact that "man" is still synonymous with "human" is extremely difficult to explain to high school ESL kids. We still have a policeman, fireman, etc., and as a woman that sucks but I know that the people who say "policeman" instead of �officer� are not trying to offend women, it�s just the result of diluted meaning.

[absolutaaron]

www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1249.html

"The Lord Chancellor is facing accusations of political correctness after banning the word �homosexual� from official documents in his department"


I found this story/link from a news-blog...And I thought "joto" was bad

A.

[seanie]

About 12 years ago a Mexican guy told me naco came from Totonaco, and that Totonacos were "stupid". That's why I'm uncomfortable with the word. But from the way I've heard it used most of the time in recent years, I think Jon's article is pretty accurate. It seems like it's often used to mean "bumpkin" or "naff". I kind of like the naco shirts, but I probably wouldn't wear one because I'm not sure what I'd be communicating: hortera pride, or an insult to the Totonaco people:-)

[Cdaniels]

[snorklequeen]

in my high school in California, 1960-64:

"spaz" was definitely a common putdown, and it referred to people with spasms/epileptic seizures/mental retardation, said in a very biting tone, no doubt a huge putdown

at the same time, "gay" was a commonly used word, and when referring to people it meant "happy" or "very happy"; when referred to a party or other social event, it meant it would be "fun" or "exciting"

we commonly used "jip/gyp" referring to cheating/stealing only in spoken English, never written, so don't know how to spell it; here on Dave's is the first time i've ever seen it written; we had no clue it had anything to do with gypsies, and we had heard of gypsies; they sounded like lotsa fun, dancing and singing and playing guitars around a camp fire out in the forest; i wanted to be one; had no clue they were considered bad people for any reason

Q

[M@tt]

[cwc]

[thelmadatter]

[cwc]

No condemnation, just education.

[M@tt]

a photo gallery of the people that started this thread.

http://www.slate.com/id/2141052/?nav=navoa