why can we call them Scots, Aussies, Brits and Japs but Paki is a racist word??

Question

it is true that the word is used generally for all asians and alot of asians are not from pakistan...hmm, stick that in ya pipe...

Answer 1

Dont know , but FYI the term JAP is also considered somewhat derogatory

Answer 2

Actually, Japs is racist too! For the same reason that Paki is.

The problem isn't the fact that it's an abbreviated way of saying the country name, it's the spirit in which the abbreviation was used, or is still used!!

The term 'Japs' was used in an extremely hostile way during WWII and beyond, so now it's an insult rather than a description. It may have been used in a less offensive way before WWII, but after years of abuse it's beyond redemption!

The term 'Paki' was also coined as an insult, and it is still used as one - maybe it's a British thing, after all there are lots of Pakistani people living there - but you only call a Pakistani a 'Paki' if you want to insult them! (Unfortunately people also use the term in a racist, insulting way to anyone who looks as though they 'may' be from Pakistan! Which can lead to confusion among the unfortunate people being insulted.)

Answer 3

Brits, is and abbrieviation of the British, we don't find it offensive or racist. The term scots, is an old term for someone who is scottish, for example the 'The Scots Guards' (british military regiment) Aussie for Australians doesn'r offend them. It is only the word 'paki' that offends. (possibly Jap's). Alot of the time Indians get tied along with the Pakistanis and they get offended, because they are of a completely different culture.

In general the asians (middle east area) are more easily offended than anywhere else in the world.

Answer 4

Paki USED to be OK if it was used accurately to refer to someone from Pakistan and the people themselves use the term, commonly.

It isn't actually wrong either. After all, someone from Afghanistan is more correctly an Afghani, and not an Afghanistani.

I think that it is a misinterpretation by some people that Paki is offensive because it is badly attributed.

I, for example, am Scottish.
I hate it when I'm abroad to be refered to as English which often happens. That doesn't make "English" a racist term, just a bloody annoying one.

I imagine an Indian would be similarly pithed off to be refered to as Paki.

Answer 5

Paki is generally used as an offense. Calling someone a Scot or a Brit is not usually used in an offensive way. It is just the way it is used. If you say "My friend is an Aussie" that sounds OK. If you say "My friend is a Paki" it sounds insulting and not so OK. I am Irish and don't mind being called a "Paddy" although I certainly don't encourage it. Any term regarding someones race is always going to cause certain problems everywhere you go.

Answer 6

The sign of the times. If we were at war with Britian and/or Australia then society may be more likely to associate Aussie or Brit as a racial slur.

And by the way, referring to a Japanese person as a "Jap" IS still considered to be a racial slur. And I say "still considered" because that someday may change. Words, phrases and the ways we talk are changing with the ages.

Answer 7

Words are defined by the people.

If collectively all the people decided "Scot" is okay, then it becomes an acceptable word. Just because it's short doesn't mean it's not still unacceptable by the people.

By the way, many Japanese people I know don't like the term "Jap".

Answer 8

I always thought Paki was short for Pakistani, the Brits shorten everything, the yanks abbreviate everything, so I don't see why it should be a racist word.

Answer 9

Not sure, but in the 70's the in thing was causing trouble with pakistani's and some white idiots, it was shortened to Paki bashing, if I was of that race, then I too would find it disturbing, and when you see graffiti, it say Paki's get out, so in my eyes it is offensive............and I am a white honky

Answer 10

the word 'Pakistan' ( if you will excuse my spelling) means land of the pure, so I guess 'paki' means pure, some people use it a derogatory term, but really its a kind of complement, I'm not trying to be smarmy or sly, by the way, but its better than being called a " stupid,ugly.bad-teethed limey git"

I don't know, humanity has alot to answer for, some days I think
than peace is not within our nature

Answer 11

i think it is to do with how the word paki was first used, ppl would call asians paki in a context which was racial. nowadays its just seen as a nickname to most ppl