Re: Word usage in group versus out of group.

I always assumed that "spic" was derived from "[hi]sp[an]ic"... But I
have no evidence to back this up.

BTW, derogatory terms seem to be formed out of derogatory opinions,
and any term used to designate a group which is disliked will become a
derogatory term in time.

Mark Twain appears to use the term "nigger" absolutely neutrally.

There is an ongoing quest among some disability activists to find new
words to replace old ones: "crippled" or "lame" becomes "handicapped"
becomes "disabled" becomes "physically challenged" or "differently
abled."  No sooner is a new word invented and insisted upon than it is
siezed upon and used to make unkind remarks; "challenged" has found
its way into many put-downs, just as "retarded" did a generation or
three ago.

Moral of the story: if people's perceptions and prejudices don't
change, it doesn't matter what words you use.

Ed Heil -------------------------------- edheil@postmark.net
 "I think that all right-thinking people in this country are
sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people
are fed up in this country with being sick and tired!"
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