Is a word which is offensive to some people some of the time...

[MamboJoel]

I was reading another forum, and watched Inqvisitor refer repeatedly to someone as a "Paki" despite the protestations that the man was from India.

Who's Inqvisitor ?

 

[Masquerouge]

I do not believe there are words that are offensive no matter what. It's always a matter of context: who said it, how it was said, and why it was said.

 

[Prince_Imrahil]

THe n word is the correct way in english to reffer to a black person. Just because they where treated badly doesn't mean they need their names changed. We treat dogs badly but when are we going to reffer to them as a four legged individual. (note I am not comparing black people to animals and I am not racist because of skin colour)

That is true. Largely before the 20th century, that word was considered neutral and only meant to denote a person's race.

You almost have a point there rms, but your still ignorant of the fact that black people were considered and treated as less humans, yes the only thing it was derived from was the description of their skin color and not in a neutrel fashion. And no ALda, you're being ignorant if you think is ****** is the correct way or name for black people - common back in time, but not correct. That's like saying paleface is the correct way to refer to white people.

And don't get me wrong, I'm against PC and the way the word is considered taboo for white people today yet ok for black people and that they cry rivers whenever its used (see michael ricahrds, though he was being a jack ass)
A word is a word, get over it, it's only a big deal if you make it one. But uninformed comments and thinking on both sides is just the same.

 

[JonnyB]

It doesn't matter what it used to mean anyways, if you use that word today you're using it in todays context, which is derogatory and offensive.

 

[amadeus]

You almost have a point there rms, but your still ignorant of the fact that black people were considered and treated as less humans, yes the only thing it was derived from was the description of their skin color and not in a neutrel fashion.

I did not suggest that the word should be used in a contemporary setting, I was in agreement with the idea that the word did not initally carry as many (if any at all) negative connotations with it.

 

[Sidhe]

I'm brown. Thus I can never be rascist. A nice little benefit eh?

Racism is not about your colour it's about how you treat others who differ, funilly enough, you can't get off that lightly If you could people wouldn't condemening those brown people for racial hatred in countries to numerous to name. Although you may well be able to get away with more, for example calling me a cracker is liable to make me laugh but then I don't have a history of being racially persecuted so I'm the lucky one.

Offense is all about context, if it's likely to be found offensive then don't say it, unless you want alot of grief.

PC issues have become rather over the top though in recent years, sometimes it is just silly how far you can take a lable no matter how innocuous and consider it offensive. People are perfectly capable generally of knowing the appropriate things to say without being told that they are offensive, if they aren't then they'll no doubt find living in a multicultural society very difficult. And are welcome to move to a racially pure area such as the moon.

Who's Inqvisitor ?

An old fashioned and I would say misguided Catholic(not in anyway representative of the Catholic faith as I know it) And a raccist, sounds like he wasn't smart enough to determine even the race of those he hates either. Good value for money though, he was offensive but in a way that convinced people of the opposite views.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Making a comment on political correctness.

Ah, ok, had me worried for a second there.

 

[Veritass]

I do not believe there are words that are offensive no matter what. It's always a matter of context: who said it, how it was said, and why it was said.

Shazbot!

Oh, what you said!

 

[.Shane.]

I disagree w/ those who said the "n-word" meant something different in the 1800s. Its always been a term of disparagement. Now, use of the word "negro", that maybe what you're confusing it with.

The first rule of communication is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. It is incumbent on the speaker, not the audience, make adjustments. This, of course, assumes you want to effectively communicate your message.

 

[Masquerouge]

Shazbot!

Oh, what you said!

I think that's funny but I'm lacking the references...

I disagree w/ those who said the "n-word" meant something different in the 1800s. Its always been a term of disparagement. Now, use of the word "negro", that maybe what you're confusing it with.

The first rule of communication is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. It is incumbent on the speaker, not the audience, make adjustments. This, of course, assumes you want to effectively communicate your message.

A French dude also said, you can laugh at everything, but not with everyone.

 

[Prince_Imrahil]

I did not suggest that the word should be used in a contemporary setting, I was in agreement with the idea that the word did not initally carry as many (if any at all) negative connotations with it.

And that's the idea that I am calling ignorant, because it is, because if you reread what I wrote in my post you would see that I was trying to say that it inself was a negative connotation in that black people were considered inferior and all that and such we used that word to refer to these people in that context, and even so, its just like calling white people paleface or asians sick man - you could say as many, but your if any at all is the most ridiculous of statements.

 

[Elta]

As far as the U.S. goes C--- is still the most offensive word I think.

In Mexico Naco and Fresa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naco_(slang)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresa
As a Whitexican I find Pocho offensive - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocho allthou I do use alot of Pochosimos but, even my mom does

 

[Masquerouge]

As far as the U.S. goes C--- is still the most offensive word I think.

Crap is the most offensive word in English

 

[Elta]

Crap is the most offensive word in English

CU--

 

[Adamb0mb]

I think white folks (including me) as a group used up all their 'n-bombs' in the last century and centuries prior thus we don't get to say it anymore.

It doesn't matter if you (or me) never said the word.

 

[JonnyB]

As far as the U.S. goes C--- is still the most offensive word I think.

It is...This has come up in conversations with a few women lately.
every one of them absolutely hates to be called a "see you next tuesday"

 

[CaptainF]

That is true. Largely before the 20th century, that word was considered neutral and only meant to denote a person's race.

The word ****** or negro?

 

[Trajan12]

I'm brown. Thus I can never be rascist. A nice little benefit eh?

Small world! Isn't it great, the double standards of PCness?

 

[Trajan12]

What C word are you talking about? I have one in mind.

 

[Brighteye]

The first rule of communication is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. It is incumbent on the speaker, not the audience, make adjustments. This, of course, assumes you want to effectively communicate your message.

Utterly wrong. It's incumbent on the audience to make adjustments. How on earth can I know that you happen to consider a perfectly normal word offensive. For example, I have been using (and still do) the word 'oriental' to denote someone from the far east. In America, some people apparently find this offensive. If such a person comes, listens to me talk, and takes offense at what I say then he is being a complete w****r.
Words cannot be offensive. Offense must be in meaning. It is incumbent on the audience to make adjustments for the speaker. It is their subjective judgement that finds offense, and it is absolutely outrageous to expect others to conform to one's own subjective opinion. I may as well say that I find the word 'Shane' offensive, and I expect you not to have it displayed further. And everyone else's names too...
If you take offense at a word without there being intent behind it, then you are a fool and an idiot, and deserve more insults than you've probably received.