Posted by JLx on November 13, 2004, at 9:33:44
In reply to Re: Please don't fear my screen name... TJ.... » Mad Jap Poet, posted by tealady on November 13, 2004, at 4:56:37
I suspect the sensitivity comes from WWII when "Japs" was definitely pejorative. I know that other countries fought them too, but we imprisoned our Japanese-American citizens in internment camps then, and of course, we also dropped two atom bombs on Japan.
Incidentally, my eyes just about bugged out of my head when I heard Pres Bush say "Pakis" a few yeras back because when I was working for CNN.com on their Community Staff, one of our most viciously contentious boards was "Pakistan and India" where "Paki" was a definite "fighting word" that we had strict orders not to allow.
>I've noticed that the meanings are sometimes different or even opposite in the US speak....like one term that is apparently complimentary in the US is an insult here..takes some getting used to :) even after years
That that term is....? :)
JL
poster:JLx
thread:414855
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041108/msgs/415395.html