Talk:List of ethnic group names used as insults

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This article was nominated for deletion on 8 May 2006. The result of the discussion was keep.

Contents 1 Old talk 2 Goth 3 Pygmy 4 What the fudge is Aussie doing here?!

[edit] Old talk

I saw a list like this on the Net years ago but I've forgotten nearly all of it. I thought my fellow Wikipedians might be able to recreate it Adambisset 21:23, 7 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Why did you remove "Bugger" ? It is derived from "Bulgarian" (meaning the Bogomils of Bulgaria), which catholic propaganda said they were practicing 'buggery'.

Middle English bougre, heretic, from Old French boulgre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus. See Bulgar. Dictionary.com: Bugger

and yes, it's an insult as it meaning may be:

2. Slang. A contemptible or disreputable person.

Bogdan | Talk 20:50, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Sorry dude - I checked the Wikipedia entry for 'bugger' before I deleted it, but the article didn't explain the etymology of the word. Thanks for letting me know. I'll reinstate the word forthwith! Adambisset 22:38, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I removed "welch". The etymological root is not "Welsh" (the OED says "of obscure origin"). Comparison should be made with the term “niggardly” which seems to share an etymology with one of our most incendiary insults, but in fact has a completely unrelated etymology. All of this is sheer pedantry I guess - if a word sounds like an insult to one’s fellows perhaps etymologies should be ignored... Adambisset 02:49, 16 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Goth

• How is 'Goth' a 'slur' (especially a question for Bogdangiusca)?[1]

"Gothic" was a synonym "barbaric", especially in the Middle Ages. The architecture style had nothing to do with the Goths but simply it was considered barbaric. bogdan 11:16, 18 November 2005 (UTC)

I understand, but I'm just wondering if it is a misconception that "Goth" is a derogatory term. I have never heard of this happening. I was wondering if, in the first place, anyone had; and second, how many people and how often. Also, when used is it labeling the person as crude or barbaric, or bleak and lugubrious:

1. A style of rock music that often evokes bleak, lugubrious imagery (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

†Sƒ 21:40, 18 November 2005 (UTC)

• Also, PhilipR, who began this clause:

The word "Goth" or "Gothic" is increasingly being used as insult amongst certain social groups. This is mostly due to the general differences between gothic teenagers and their peers. This can also be used to insult one's sexual preference, as there is an untrue stereotype that most gothic teens are homosexual (all sexual preferences are present among goths). Gothic teenagers who have alcohol or drug addictions may also be treated with hostility, specifically because their appearance makes them stand out more among other teens with the same vices. The anti-religious image that gothic people give off can also create resentment among those with traditional religous beliefs, though there are many practicing Christian Goths.[2]

†Sƒ 03:06, 18 November 2005 (UTC)

I don't buy it. Just because some people use "Goth" as a slur doesn't make it an "Ethnic group name used as an insult". Rather, Goth is a label for a certain subculture (a neutral label) and people in that subculture are being PROPERLY IDENTIFIED AS SUCH by these jerks... albeit in a negative manner. Now, if you want to claim that since the Goth subculture gets it's name from Gothic rock, and you want to claim a connection between that and the usage of "Gothic" as a term of disparagement (see Gothic architecture), that's a bit different... although I think that's a tough sell. --Dante Alighieri | Talk 22:36, 12 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pygmy

People go around calling each other pygmies? --Dante Alighieri | Talk 22:37, 12 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What the fudge is Aussie doing here?!

--Steven X 09:30, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

I agree, i am Australian and i find the term "Aussie" by no way offensive.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by L-3-G-4-C-Y (talk • contribs).

No, I'm saying that Aussie isn't an ethnic group rather a nickname for a nationality (Australian). It doesn't matter though, since its been removed.--Steven X 10:52, 25 January 2007 (UTC)