Suara.com - As language evolves, we sometimes forget the offensive origins of certain words and phrases.
Or we never knew them in the first place.
Many of them began in racist, sexist, or generally distasteful situations.
Let's abolish these 12 examples in everyday conversation.
1. "The itis"
More commonly known now as a "food coma," this phrase directly alludes to the stereotype of laziness associated with African-Americans. It stems from a longer (and incredibly offensive) version — ni****itis.
Modern vernacular dropped the racial slur, leaving a faux-scientific diagnosis for the tired feeling you get after eating way too much food.
We recommend using the technical term instead: postprandial somnolence.
2. "Uppity"
A couple years ago, Rush Limbaugh pontificated that a NASCAR audience booed Michelle Obama because she exhibited "uppity-ism." Glenn Beck even defended him, citing the First Lady's love of arugula.
During segregation, Southerners used "uppity" to describe blacks who didn't know their socioeconomic place. Originally, the term started within the black community, but the racists adopted it pretty quickly.
3."Peanut gallery"
This phrase intends to reference hecklers or critics, usually ill-informed ones. In reality, the "peanut gallery" names a section in theaters, usually the cheapest and worst, where black people sat during the era of Vaudeville.
4. "Gyp"
"Gyp" or "gip" most likely evolved as a shortened version of "gypsy" — more correctly known as the Romani, an ethnic group now mostly in Europe and America. The Romani typically traveled a lot and made their money by selling goods. Business disputes naturally arose, and the masses started thinking of Romani as swindlers.
Today, "gyp" has become synonymous with cheating someone.
5. "Paddy wagons"
In modern slang, "paddy wagon" means a police car.
"Paddy" originated in the 1930s as a shortened form of "Patrick," and then eventually a pejorative term for any Irishman. "Wagon" naturally refers to a vehicle. "Paddy wagon" either stemmed from the large number of Irish police officers or the perception that rowdy, drunken Irishmen constantly ended up in jail.
Neither are particularly nice.
6. "Bugger"
When you call someone a "bugger," you're accusing them of being a Bulgarian sodomite. The term stemmed from the Bogomils, who led a religious sect during the Middle Ages called "Bulgarus." Through various languages, the term morphed into "bugger."
Tag
Berita Terkait
Terpopuler
- 5 Pelembap Viva Cosmetics untuk Mencerahkan Wajah dan Hilangkan Flek Hitam, Dijamin Ampuh
- Siapa Saja Tokoh Indonesia di Epstein Files? Ini 6 Nama yang Tertera dalam Dokumen
- 24 Nama Tokoh Besar yang Muncul di Epstein Files, Ada Figur dari Indonesia
- 5 Smart TV 43 Inci Full HD Paling Murah, Watt Rendah Nyaman Buat Nonton
- Adu Tajam! Persija Punya Mauro Zijlstra, Persib Ada Sergio Castel, Siapa Bomber Haus Gol?
Pilihan
-
Ketika Hujan Tak Selalu Berkah, Dilema Petani Sukoharjo Menjaga Dapur Tetap Ngebul
-
KPK Cecar Eks Menteri BUMN Rini Soemarno Soal Holding Minyak dan Gas
-
Diduga Nikah Lagi Padahal Masih Bersuami, Kakak Ipar Nakula Sadewa Dipolisikan
-
Lebih dari 150 Ribu Warga Jogja Dinonaktifkan dari PBI JK, Warga Kaget dan Bingung Nasib Pengobatan
-
Gempa Pacitan Guncang Jogja, 15 Warga Terluka dan 14 KA Berhenti Luar Biasa
Terkini
-
Siapkan Alat Berat, Kementerian PU Bantu Tangani Jalan Provinsi di Gayo Lues
-
Kementerian PU Uji Coba Pengaliran Air di Daerah Irigasi Jambo Aye
-
Holding Mitra Mikro Perluas Inklusi Keuangan Lewat 430 Ribu Agen BRILink Mekaar
-
IHSG dan Rupiah Rontok Gara-gara Moody's, Apa yang Sebenarnya Terjadi?
-
Purbaya Rotasi Pegawai Pajak usai OTT KPK, Kali Ketiga dalam Sebulan
-
Mendag Ungkap Harga CPO Hingga Batu Bara Anjlok di 2025
-
Meski Transaksi Digital Masif, BCA Tetap Gas Tambah Kantor Cabang
-
Belanja di Korsel Masih Bisa Bayar Pakai QRIS Hingga April 2026
-
Transaksi Digital Melesat, BCA Perketat Sistem Anti-Penipuan
-
BRI Perkuat CSR Lewat Aksi Bersih-Bersih Pantai Dukung Gerakan Indonesia ASRI