Why is the term, gringo, derogatory? What does it mean?

Question

name for mexican, racist comment

Answer 1

It Dont Bother Me At All



It originated during the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. It has been claimed that Gringo comes from "green coat" and was used in reference to the American soldiers and the green color of their uniforms. This is an example of an invented explanation, because gringo was used in Spanish long before the war and during the Mexican-American War; what is more the U.S. Army did not use green uniforms, but blue ones [citation needed].

Yet another story, from Mexico, holds that Mexicans with knowledge of the English language used to write "greens go home" on street walls referring to the color of the uniforms of the invading army; subsequently, it became a common habitual action for the rest of the population to yell "green go" whenever U.S. soldiers passed by.

Another legend maintains that one of two songs – either "Green Grow the Lilacs" or "Green Grow the Rushes, O" – was popular at the time and that Mexicans heard the invading U.S. troops singing "Green grow..." and contracted this into gringo.

Another version, heard in Brazil, refers to the United States Air Force base near Natal, Brazil during World War II. The American soldiers, wearing green uniforms, would be commanded "green, go!" by their sergeants during training.

The story of "Green Coat" can also be heard in most other Latin American countries, with numerous variations. Some stories have the term originating as recently as the Vietnam war. Other stories attribute the term to other conflicts, all of which occurred too late in history to account for the earliest usages of the word.

Yet another version, also heard in Brazil, claims that when the British were building the railroads in Brazil in the beginning of the century, they would instruct the locals on how semaphores worked: Red, Stop. Green, Go. The British were thereafter known as "gringo".

In the Dominican Republic it is said that the term was a mispronunciation of the words green gold, referring to the green color of USA currency. This theory has yet to be proven.

Answer 2

The tone and context the word is spoken in allows for the interpretation, just like the "N" word which has lost it's true meaning through a derogitory slur. The word gringo actually dates from the war with Mexico and is fraction of a misunderstood song lyric.

Answer 3

Because a gringo can't speak Spanish properly. He talks like Tarzan only in the present tense.

Answer 4

Call me a cracker ,call me a gringo, hell call me racist, but don't call me late for dinner! I expect that crap lets all let it go! I'm not racist, I hate everybody! just kidding, I know who I am so if it makes you feel better about who you are go for it! I know why different races don't like whites, why should you we all clash here and there, lets quit boxing over it and unite against illegals and terrorist! Let's keep what we got!

Answer 5

It's a well accepted term; you hear "cracker" in other parts of the USA. No big deal. I think I'll name my next dog Gringo, too.

Answer 6

Gringo to a white man is the same as **** for a Latino.
The thing is, most white folks don't care.

Answer 7

It was originally derogatory for foreigner, somebody somehwere adapted it to seemingly be white people. Hawaiians had Haoles, same thing. Japanese had Gaijin, same thing. Funny how that works out. Think about it, what do Americans call white foreigners? See, it never happened here!

Answer 8

Apparently, it's okay or politically correct to call a white person a racist name.

The difference is, white people don't get all bent out of shape and run to the nearest lawyer when called racist names.

Perhaps they should start (since they're rapidly becoming the minority). They are already the minority in my town and in my state.

Answer 9

My sister-in-law (who is mexican) told me it is a DEROGATORY word to describe white people. In other words,an insult. That would be like a white person calling mexicans a "wet back" or a "****". It's INSULTING!!!

Answer 10

It doesn't have to be racist. When it is, it is in the delivery and intent.

Some people think "American" is a derogatory term.....apparently.....