Brit - British. Aussie - Australian. Paki - Pakistani. Why is the latter deemed racially offensive?

Question

It is a common habit to shorten words, as we do with many nationalities. So why are some deemed racially offensive, and some not.
Another one I've hear of is 'WOG', Which stands for Western Oriental Gentleman. What's offensive about being called a gentleman?

Answer 1

In my family, it's a term of endearment (my hubby's family is from Pakistan). So we have 'TP' 'Typical Paki', 'PPP' 'Pushy Paki Parent', 'PT" 'Paki Time' etc! It's all about who says it and the intent behind it.

One woman I used to know was astounded that paki was a term of abuse for some - she referred to her packed lunch at school as a paki and was horrified to learn it had another meaning!

Answer 2

When you are British with Filipino roots and get called a f***ing paki or chinky you can't help but feel its meant to be offensive. It's not the word itself, its the context its usually used in. And its also the fact that its used as a noun to sum up the whole person, not looking beyond the nationality while Brit or Aussie is generally used as an observation of where that person is from and not the only thing that is noticed about them. I apologise for that last point not being too coherent but I hope you understand what I mean. Basically, the words Brit and Aussie are not used in the same way which is why they are not offensive. While I think PCness has gone crazy, you have to see it from the other side too.

Answer 3

once you're British with Filipino roots and get pronounced as a f***ing paki or chinky you are able to not help yet sense its meant to be offensive. that's not the note itself, its the context its regularly utilized in. And its also the actual undeniable reality that its used as a noun to sum up the entire individual, not looking previous the nationality at the same time as Brit or Aussie is often used as an commentary of the position that individual is from and not in any respect the purely element it is pronounced about them. I apologise for that very last aspect not being too coherent yet i'm hoping you already comprehend what I recommend. certainly, the words Brit and Aussie are literally not used interior a similar way it is why they don't seem offensive. at the same time as i imagine PCness has lengthy gone loopy, you are able to see it from the different part too.

Answer 4

The the shortened term 'Paki' is not in itself offensive as you can see from your question.

We only feel it is offensive as we associate it with racial abuse, for example vandalism.

We don't want to appear to be racist or offensive so we avoid doing completely normal things that may be took the wrong way. For example, you would avoid the even slightest glance when walking pass a disabled person in a wheelchair cos you don't wanna be seen as staring.

I disagree with the person here who said the term 'Brit' is not used offensively. I'm from Northern Ireland, where I have known of protestant people being called f****** Brits and to f*** off back to the mainland.

Answer 5

When we go to Australia they call us Poms, we call the Americans Yanks and the Yanks call us Limeys.

We're not affended by this, so by definition it is not offensive.

If I were beaten up in the street in Australia for being a Pomme and kicked to death as they call Pomme Pomme at me and they graffited my shop with the words then it might offend me and become offensive.

Also for that particular word, Indians don't like being called Pakistanies, which is what your insinuating when you call an Indian a Paki.

Simple really

and as for WOG? That never stood for Western Oriental Gentleman. It comes from the term Golliwog and is directed at black people.

Answer 6

The offence is in the ear of the hearer, that is all. Words are only words and it is the context that matters. The French always called the English, Rostbifs, but at the time most English could not afford meat let alone Beef.

Answer 7

I think you already know the answer to this question my friend, its called liberal interference . If you are a white able bodied male aged beetween 18 and 58, you are coincided lower than snake 5hit, if you are an ethnic you get the workes. I hope you never have to but you try and claim anything as a wasp and you get a kick in the nuts ,,, told you you already knew the answer lol

Answer 8

You've missed the point. Brit and Aussie don't have years of being used as a derogatory term by the National Front and its sympathisers. Its not up to you to decide that its not racist anyway. You're not on the receiving end of it being spat into your face.

Answer 9

i suppose because people call many Asian people 'pakis', not just people from Pakistan, and that shows ignorance and is offensive- for example, I wouldn't like to be called a nationality I am not. Also, people use it as a derogatory term, not as an identification, just as the word 'gay' is often used as a derogatory word.

Answer 10

Thats a really really good point you make. I dont know why, I guess because some people maliciously use it to cause offense, but I guess other nationalities could do it to us Brits too. I guess its the context the word is used in.