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
-
Kasus DKJA, KPK Panggil Dirjen Integrasi Transportasi dan Multimoda Kemenhub
-
Heboh Skandal Hilda Pricillya dan Pratu Risal Bikin Geger Jagat Maya
-
5 Fakta Heboh Kasus Video Panas Hilda Pricillya dan Pratu Risal yang Guncang Media Sosial
-
Pengeluaran Ongkos Transportasi Warga Bekasi dan Depok Paling Mahal di Dunia
Terpopuler
- 7 Bedak Tabur Terbaik untuk Kerutan dan Garis Halus Usia 50 Tahun ke Atas
- Pengakuan Lengkap Santriwati Korban Pencabulan Kiai Ashari di Lingkungan Pesantren Pati
- Xiaomi 17 Jadi Senjata Baru Konten Kreator, Laura Basuki Tunjukkan Hasil Foto Leica
- 7 Sepatu Lari Lokal untuk Jalan Jauh dan Daily Run Mulai Rp100 Ribuan, Tak Kalah dari Hoka
- 5 HP Terbaru 2026 untuk Budget di Bawah Rp3 Juta, Ada yang Support 5G dan NFC
Pilihan
-
Salah Satu Korban Dikunci dari Luar, Dengar Kiai Ashari Lakukan Aksi Bejat di Kamar Sebelah
-
Review If Wishes Could Kill: Serial Horor Korea yang Bikin Kamu Mikir Sebelum Buat Permintaan!
-
Suporter Persipura Rusuh, Momen Menegangkan Pemain Adhyaksa FC Dilempari Botol
-
Kronologi Haerul Saleh, Anggota BPK RI Eks Anggota DPR Meninggal saat Rumahnya Kebakaran
-
Tragis! Anggota IV BPK Haerul Saleh Tewas dalam Kebakaran di Tanjung Barat, Diduga Akibat Sisa Tiner
Terkini
-
Keponakan Prabowo Sebut Ekonomi Global Masuk Zona Bahaya
-
PLN Hadirkan SPKLU Ultra Fast Charging Pertama di Kawasan Wisata Aloha PIK 2
-
Target 1,4 Juta Wisatawan, Kawasan Wisata Pesisir Perkuat Ekosistem Kendaraan Listrik
-
Anggaran Dipangkas, Dapur Tak Ngebul: Jeritan Seniman Jogja hingga Sarjana Menganggur
-
Tren Tobacco Harm Reduction: Produk Alternatif Jadi Pilihan Kurangi Risiko Merokok
-
Hanya Berlangsung 3 Hari, IHSG Pekan Ini Akan Dibayangi Rebalancing MSCI
-
Suku Bunga Kredit Bank Resmi Turun ke 8,76 Persen, OJK Ungkap Proyeksinya
-
Saham Lagi 'Diskon' atau Jebakan? Cek Analisis IHSG dan Rekomendasi Saham Hari Ini
-
Alasan Server Judi Online Mulai Bergeser dari Kamboja ke Indonesia
-
Purbaya Terima Aduan 46 Ribu Masalah Ditjen Pajak dan Bea Cukai