Question

[shanmonster]

How come Russkie and Canuck are considered relatively harmless monikers whereas Jap and Paki are hot-button racial slurs? Is it because Russ has the kie, and Can has the uck? There's got to be more to it than that.

This message was brought to you after watching Oz.

I'm really digging the show....

Comments

[entropy156.livejournal.com]

I've got a better one: How come Irishman or Frenchman is ok, but Chinaman is a slur?

[suzycat.livejournal.com]

Because it should be Chineseman?

[entropy156.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...you may be on to something there.

[suzycat.livejournal.com]

Oz RULES. I learned many offensive terms from it.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I'm learning that prisoners all appear to be super buff.

Perhaps someone should put out a prison workout DVD. Heh....

[sorceror.livejournal.com]

Well, 'russki' is what they call themselves (pronounced ROO-ski, but still). So that must be alright. Like Polack. Oh, wait...

And whatever else "Canuck" may be, it's not an indicator of ethnicity.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

"And whatever else "Canuck" may be, it's not an indicator of ethnicity."

That's because Canadians are a pretty mixed up bunch, ethnically speaking.

[real-bethy.livejournal.com]

I love OZ!

It both amuses and disturbs.

Watching that little priest sing "Leather" cracks me up.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I've yet to see the priest sing.

He's quite the cutie, btw....

[firelie.livejournal.com]

What is paki?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Paki (pronounced Pack-ee) is slang for Pakistanian, or for any brown person from Asia, for that matter.