- Term of disparagement
Terms of disparagement are
pejorative word s andphrase s which are either intended to be or are often regarded as insulting, impolite or unkind.While terms with a negative connotation are available for the discussion of many subjects (such as referring to an automobile as a "jalopy") this article is limited to disparaging terms for people. Likewise, this article is limited to discussion of the
English language .Types
Some terms (such as "
soccer mom ", "gay", or "farm boy") are disparaging only in a particular context or with a certain intonation and are rarely considered disparaging otherwise. Other terms, such as "fag" and "nigger " have a history and connection to social issues that makes them widely regarded astaboo .Many disparaging terms are
synecdoche s, such as "mick , paddy," and "taig ," all of which are derived from Irish first names and are applied disparagingly toIrish people . Synecdoches can range from barely pejorative (e.g., referring to businesspeople as "suits") to inflammatory (e.g. referring to German-speaking people as"Nazis ").When applied to people,
abbreviation s are often regarded as disparaging. Referring to aPakistan i as apaki , aJapan ese person as a "jap ", an Aborigine as anabo , or anInuit as a "skimo" (short forEskimo ) are some examples.Other terms of disparagement are based upon
sarcasm (such as "sahib " in reference toIndia ns),metaphor (as in the basis of the term "white trash "),metalepsis (as in the term "wetback"),zoomorphism (a partial basis for the slur "porch monkey ") or other figures of speech.Terms of disparagement also may combine figures of speech. For example, the term "
yid " is an abbreviation ofYiddish and is as a synecdoche applied toJew s who neither speak Yiddish nor have a strong connection to Ashkenazi culture.Some derogatory terms, such as "schmuck" and "
cunt ", originate as terms for parts of the human anatomy (in this case, theforeskin andvagina , respectively).Medical terms have been known to become terms of disparagement as well, such as "
idiot " and "retard " (both of which were used by doctors to refer to people with low IQs or developmental disabilities).Use
Etiquette demands that the use of these terms, like any behavior likely toinsult someone, should be avoided in most circumstances.Some disparaging terms have been appropriated by some members of the
demographic group they describe. The usage of these terms, including discussion about who can use them and when, is a subject of hot debate in many arenasee also
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Lists of disparaging terms
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