Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2003 09:17:16 -0500 From: Bob <uctraingNOSPAMersnopsamanet.com> Subject: Re: Saab or GM?
On Tue, 31 Dec 2002 16:50:44 -0500, tom reingold <tlr244nopsamnline.net> wrote: >The point is >that there are general trends, and the general trend with the word "Jap" >is that is usually used as a racist term. Maybe... With a word that's an abbreviation like "Jap" for Japanese, I think it's sometimes just a shortcut. So, if you're disparaging a car for its nationality, "Jap car" may be offensive. If you're just saving a little typing, I don't know that it's so bad i.e. abbreviation is OK. The same goes for many other words. "Jew" can be used in an offensive way, or used as a perfectly acceptable term. Even the evil "n-word" is used _extensively_ by many inner city African Americans as a term of endearment to their friends, while suburban and upper class blacks still find it maximally offensive. The point is that many words can be taken two ways. It's probably best to play it safe in most cases. Now, excuse me, I've got to go change the oil in the ol' rice burner :-) Bob