Talk:List of ethnic slurs

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Entry Inclusion Guidelines

Each entry in the List of Ethnic Slurs must have a citation, or it will be removed or moved to the #Quarantine section.

Entries that include a wikilink to an article on that slur, with a citation in that article (referring to the slur, not to some other sense of the word) may stay on the list, but including the citation in both places would be better.

Only ethnic slurs are allowed, including race and nationality along with ethnicity. Other slurs belong at List of regional nicknames, List of religious slurs, or in similar lists. For the sake of having a rule, Muslim turbans are considered religious, and Jews are both a religion and an ethnicity.

Foreign slurs that have become English language loanwords may be included, as long as the definition and sources are in English.

The purpose of this policy is to prevent vandals from adding joke entries we can't disprove, and to prevent endless cycles of re-adding and re-deleting the same slurs due to disagreement on what belongs on the list. Please don't make major changes to this policy without getting a consensus on the talk page.

Archives

Camel Jockey

Derogatory term for someone of Arab descent.

Tar Baby

Tar baby here is listed as being a "black child" however, doesn't tar baby refer to a child that has one white parent and one black parent? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.60.67.58 (talk) 16:27, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Rice-nigger

You've already listed sand-nigger and timber-nigger, so I think it'd be logical to list rice-nigger aswell (=offensive for azns).

Fish-heads

Offensive term for an Asian person. How have you guys never heard of this? The person protecting this page needs to be a bit more proactive with adding some of these newly suggested terms. If cataloging is what we're doing here, let us do it comprehensively.

Spook

Offensive term for blacks. Note its latest usage in Clint Eastwood's latest movie, Gran Turino.

- Seconded. This is even defined on Dictionary.com and Answers.com. --Kaleb.G (talk) 22:18, 10 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This page is BS and should be removed

So what exaclty is the point of this page...and why was it started? What is the value of it?....0000000000000000000000000

If individuals need to this to fill their little minds and time then they should go to Urban dictionary. since that's is it's purpose

Urban dictionary is not valid source for wikipedia. `'Míkka >t 08:47, 30 November 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.10.172.26 (talk) [reply]

The point of the page is not to entertain but to inform. If you come across one of these terms and it leads you to this page, then you will know it's a racist or ethnic slur, not just a "cute" term. People still tell "coon" jokes. I find that offensive. I think Wikipedia is one of the places to document what society has identified as racist slang. I say we remove this page when racism is no longer a problem in America, Europe, or the Middle East. 76.243.129.217 (talk) 15:43, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The problem with this page is that while it is informative, it is suffused with unsourced personal opionions and value judgements that are simply not permitted in wikipedia. These need to be ruthlessly culled unless reliable sources are cited which discuss opinions of the effects on those people targetted by these words and phrases.CecilWard (talk) 11:22, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

CueBall

source: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=CueBall (US) Reference to whites, especially to a bald white man. (see also "eight ball" in this Wikipedia list)

Urban dictionary is not valid source for wikipedia. `'Míkka >t 08:47, 30 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Oreo" is in here, so where's "Banana"?

If anyone wants to google or whatever for a good reference, the term equivalent to "oreo" (black on outside, white on inside), but aimed at Orientals, that I've heard many times is this:

Banana

   (US) A racial slur against Asians for being yellow on the outside and white on the inside, hinted by the appearance of a banana.

"Farang"

We should add "farang:" "...the generic Thai word for a foreigner of European ancestry. While generally farang is a neutral word, it can be used in a mocking manner, or even as an insult depending on the context." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farang

Thanks.

P.S.:

This term is used in English conversation. It's also listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, defined as: "Among Thais: a foreigner, esp. a European." —Preceding unsigned comment added by Speakofblue (talk • contribs) 13:18, 21 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Added. However a ref to English language usage is very desirable. `'Míkka >t 06:43, 20 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sheboon

An overweight Black woman —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.230.152.74 (talk) 22:49, 9 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Chug

The word "Chug" should be added. It's a slur for Native Americans.

Also, "Snowflake" should be added as a slur for white people. --TM41 (talk) 02:37, 22 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've never heard "snowflake" used as an ethnic slur, but yeah, "chug" should be there and indeed once was. Anyone who doubts it's an ethnic slur, do a google.ca search for the term... You'll soon find it being used on racist message boards such as Stormfront.

Also, in the "Squaw" entry, it should note that the equivalent male term is "buck", not "brave". I'm going to make both these changes tonight or tomorrow if there's no disagreement by then. --Hiddekel (talk) 20:06, 26 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've never heard Chug, but I have heard "Trog" (as in "-lodyte"). It either implies Natives are cavemen, or, since it's mostly used in Northern Arizona, may specifically refer to the fact the Hopi's probable ancestors were cliff-dwellers. Since the average person-that'd-use-a-racial-slur isn't generally up on their Anasazi studies, I'm guessing the first one. Other than Urban Dictionary, though, I can't find much source for this.

I wonder how the use of the term in "Lilo and Stitch" (occasionally used on a Native Hawaiian, no less!) goes over on the Navajo and Hopi rezzes? Nagakura shin8 (talk) 23:14, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Haji

It's spelled with two j's, the page linked to has two j's while this page has one. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 136.244.55.114 (talk) 22:27, 17 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fixed

"Wetback" as an ethnic slur

I was surprised not to see this slur there. And everyone should know it is derogotory term for someone of Mexican descent. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.173.75.149 (talk) 03:26, 19 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It is a term for illegal immigrants across rio grande. It is not applied to all mexicans. So it is a social slur. Anyway, Wetback is listed in the "Immigration slurs" section. `'Míkka >t 06:46, 20 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

reorganize list

A merely alphabetic list is useless (that's an archaism from dead-tree publications, if you want to find something in a webpage, you use the browser search function). What this list should be instead is a sortable table, with columns "slur" and "referent", so that it can be organized by the target group. --dab (𒁳) 09:36, 5 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Anz

?? --68.9.110.29 (talk) 22:02, 18 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Niglet, Niglett

Niglet, ethnic slur for African American Children. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kocham (talk • contribs) 05:34, 23 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Niglet currently redirects to the term "Nigger"

Nignogs and Nignog used to redirect to Nigger, but then I noticed there was a redirect to her instead under the list of slurs.

Caker =

A derogatory term for multiple-generation canadians implying that they're stupid unambitious "rednecks", sometimes used by new immigrants. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=caker 72.141.183.172 (talk) —Preceding undated comment was added at 15:01, 13 January 2009 (UTC).[reply]

Cracker

Cracker- term for people of caucasion decent —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kocham (talk • contribs) 05:36, 23 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Smoked Irishman

I have also heard this term used in the UK, referring more to South Asians than Blacks. --Edwin Greenwood (talk) 21:37, 25 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

AFO

Interesting. I was going to add AFO, a racial slur very much in use in the 1980's and 90's among white folks, but in keeping with the requirement for sourcing I looked up AFO and its definition on Google. Barely got 2 hits.

So I can't include it here. At least not yet, so I'll try other search engines. Yet I know from personal experience this term, AFO, was in widespread usage, at least in Southern California, and I'm pretty sure in other areas. For all I know, it may still be in wide use currently.

I personally find the term reprehensible and totally offensive. Worse yet is the context in which it was used. I know it was used by state employees, police officers, and paramedics, as well as ordinary citizens. How do I know this? I heard them with my own ears. On multiple occasions. But it was used as a codeword, a secret signal that conveyed information and attitude, apparently only shared among white folks, as I said. For all I know, it was used by black folks too, I just never personally heard them use it.

The context: when something went wrong, like a traffic accident, and a member of a particular minority was involved, the term AFO was added to the messaging. As in "vehicular accident at 4th and Pico, AFO".

My point is this. If something is widespread but unacknowledged by the perpetrators, to the point where no one in the offending group admits to or writes about the offense, then how will it become public, if not through something like Wikipedia? It seems very much a chicken and egg situation. I don't want to become an investigative reporter opening old wounds just so it can be reported on Wikipedia, yet at the same time I believe truth and justice are best served by exposing the hideous prejudices and behaviors of us all. A quandary.

Oh yeah, the definition. AFO stands for "Another Fucking Oriental".

76.243.129.217 (talk) 15:27, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Vandals, Vandalism, Wikipedia:Vandalism

V is missing. One hope nobody survived, but truth. 24.15.125.174 (talk) 05:34, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hapa

I question the inclusion of this term. As noted, in many (all?) areas the term is neutral... purely descriptive. Only one of the two links even mentions a derogatory association (in Hawaiian), and that is in contrast to the Hapa page where it is clear that, context aside, it is not normally pejorative. --Dante Alighieri | Talk 18:46, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Twinkie

From Harold and Kumar go to White Castle: Harold says that he gets accused of being a Twinkie-- yellow on the outside and white on the inside.

Punjab

Generic offensive term for anyone of Indian or South west Asian origin. From the character Punjab in the musical "Annie".

Nigger / Niger / nig / nigor / nigra / nigre (Caribbean) / nigar / niggor / niggur / nigga / niggah / niggar / nigguh / niggress

Do we really need this many iterations of the word nigger? I think some of them could be done away with, like nigar, niggor, and niggur to name a few. It seems as though someone simply wanted to spell out the word in as many ways possible. If there's no opposition, I'd like this changed to simply Nigger / Nig / Nigga.

-- JAMOCHE - referencing an idiot but can be used for whites / african-american / asian, anything that fits it well —Preceding unsigned comment added by JackMack357 (talk • contribs) 18:43, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

White boy

I think "white boy" should be added to the list as a racial slur against whites. Predominantly used by black males with the intent to diminish a white male's adulthood or manhood. 79.2.243.127 (talk) 22:57, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No. Myrkkyhammas (talk) 14:27, 3 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Goomba

Is not Goomba a racial slur towards the italians? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.102.188.174 (talk) 03:16, 2 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Goombah

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/goombah

This one exists on wiktionary, it should probably be in this article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.236.40.220 (talk) 18:06, 11 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Westbrit & Sassenach

A Westbrit is never called a "West Briton" (which simply doesn't exist as slang) and the term primarily refers to protestants and others of British descent, particularly those who have maintained their cultural links (pockets of which exist in Meath and Kildare and speak with English accents). It can also be used as an insult to wealthier or well-educated Irish people, which is far more related as a gripe against their social status by people of a lower status rather than any desire on the target's behalf to be British - basically a "you think you're better than us" mentality.

Secondly the term "Sassenach" is not Scots. Scots is a dialect of English. "Sassenach" stems from the Irish Gaelic word "Sassanach", which simply means "English" (from "Sassana" meaning "England"). In Scottish Gaelic, this is spelt "Sassenach", but ultimately derives from the same source and means the same thing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.47.40.18 (talk) 10:14, 13 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ebony and Ivory

The terms Ebony and Ivory are used derogatively now, esp. Ebony to refer to black people.

Brit

The term 'Brit' has started to be used as a racial slur towards British people, much like the term 'Paki' against Pakistani people. The term is not as widely used as 'Paki', and only refers to British people, whereas 'Paki' is often used to describe anyone of a similar skin-colour to Pakistani persons, such as Bangladeshis and Indians. —Preceding unsigned comment added by PeterJohnPiper (talk • contribs) 04:02, 2 March 2009 (UTC) No —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.8.60.222 (talk) 15:28, 3 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Does using a pre-existing term contemptuously count as a racial slur, though? The term is casual, therefore it'd be more likely to be used in that sort of context. People are more likely to say "F***ing Brits!" than "F***ing Natives of the British Isles!", but that doesn't itself make "Brit" a slur. Paki, by the way, is often just a misunderstanding, since nearly every other -istan country derives from the ethnonym of its natives (Kazakh, Tajik, Kurd, etc.). Nagakura shin8 (talk) 11:24, 6 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Doesn't "Ivan" count as an ethnic slur?

I'm pretty sure the term "Ivan" or "General Ivan", specifically when calling someone whose russian that, was often used as derogatory, ethnic/racial slur. Shouldn't this be mentioned in the article.

You'll need to find a reliable source for the use of "Ivan" or "General Ivan" as an ethnic slur before we can add it to the article. Natalie (talk) 21:22, 7 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

For example, in Metal Gear Solid, after Solid Snake's first battle with Vulcan Raven, Ocelot contacts Vulcan Raven, and at one point in the conversation, Raven refers to Revolver Ocelot as "General Ivan" in a somewhat mocking tone (followed by Ocelot giving a negative reaction). Also, back during the USSR's reign, some people referred to Soviet soldiers as "Ivan", collectively (similar to how the Vietnamese were referred to as "Charlie" during the Vietnam war), a more notable example of this is in the game Operation Flashpoint.

Those sources aren't really about the word itself - they're passing mentions in a game. We need sources that state less ambiguously that "Ivan" is an ethnic slur. Natalie (talk) 16:51, 8 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]