Re: Limey - a pejorative?

the Omrud wrote:
Carl Perretta wrote:
Some slang terms for various ethnic or national identities are
clearly meant as denigrations or expressions of contempt. The
obvious ones being the "N" word for African-Americans, or the "D"
and "W" words for an Italian. I'm sure you can think of others. May I
ask readers from the UK or those of English background if the
use of the term in the subject line of this posting would qualify as
"fightin' words" if aimed at you? Would it always be received with
a negative connotation, or is context everything? I guess what I'm
asking is if someone could refer to you as "my limey friend," or is
this impolite in all but the friendliest of company?

This term of "abuse" refers to the habit of British sailors keeping
free of scurvy by eating limes. Not terrible offensive (that's
English for "not at all"). As I said a few moments ago, I at least
am merely perplexed by these epithets which others think will offend
me.

Indeed. Limey, Brit, Pom, Goddam, Johnbull, whatever - bring it on. In a
different context I'm reminded of Philip Pullman's Serafina Pekkala: "How
could you insult a witch? What would it matter if you did? ..."
--
John Dean
Oxford


.

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