Is using the term 'aryan' to describe someone considered derogatory?

Question

When describing someone, is it okay to use this word? What kinds of connotations does it have? If it is not okay to use it, then what are some synonyms for it?

Answer 1

I wouldn't want to be called that, but I consider that word to mean racist, violent and ignorant.

Answer 2

I wouldn't use it - it sounds very odd, out-dated and could very well offend some people. Also it's historically an incorrect term. The Aryans were an ethnic group that migrated into Northern India and Central Asia in ancient times. The name "Iran" comes from the same root word as "Aryan." Needless to say the real Aryans were not fair haired blue eyed folks. Nazi pseudo-scientists adopted the term to bolster their crackpot theories about ethnicity.

I would only use the term Aryan if you are referring to the historic ethnic group of Central Asia. If you are describing a person with blond hair and blue eyes you can simply call them that, or describe them as Nordic or Scandinavian looking.

Answer 3

Well, it is much like the word *****, which originally was a neutral word simply describing the ancestry of the individual. I don't have to tell you where that one went and the negative connotations associated with it.

The word Aryan described a light skinned people of northern Europe. Later on, they populated what an area including what is now Germany, and the leadership of Germany grew a cancer, known as Hitler. They took ethnocentrism to the ultimate degree. Since one of their criteria for not being exterminated was Aryan, the word became associated with the Third Reich and Hitler.

Even later, sociopaths attempting to forward the white supremacy agenda adopted it for their nefarious purposes. One of the major prison gangs took the name Aryan Brotherhood (new-speak for KKK). Now just the word Aryan has bad connotations/connections with Nazi Germany AND this gang of ciminals. Double whammy.

Answer 4

The main problem with this word is that thanks to Hitler, nobody knows what it means- most of the people answering this question included. Most people think it means white. It doesn't. It is a specific racial group that translates best into modern usage as "Iranian." It was once a helpful descriptor referring to various groups of peope travelling across Europe and Asia. Many of the people of India are Aryans and the original recipients of the term were NOT the nazi ideal of beauty!

When it became avante garde to use the term, it was a complimentary thing, not a derogatory one, but I still wouldn't use it anymore simply because it has lost its usefulness as a descriptive term. What's the point of using a word when yoru audience will misunderstand you?

Answer 5

N**ger C*nt Black B**ch i did no longer take it very own by using fact i be attentive to that as quickly as you're entering right into a foul argument with somebody, fairly a stranger they're going to hit below the belt and so do I. Edit: I had to edit this and upload something else, why do human beings say the communicate ideal english? whilst they do no longer. The notice "like" too many cases in a sentence isn't ideal english! generally whilst human beings say that to you, it is not what you're saying it extremely is the form you're saying it. changing your voice to a extra physically powerful pitch and speaking too rapid, is why human beings say you're speaking white; and now and back why do you could desire to talk such as you're in an interview room? all human beings shortens or leaves out words whilst speaking in social settings, no person needs to hearken to a protracted sentence grammar appropriate sentence, they choose you to get to the factor! you at the instant are not on the workplace!

Answer 6

synonyms:
white, honky, cracker, pilgrim, blondie, paleface, ghostboy, Jewhater, gaybasher, gypsyshooter, goosestepper, otherblaming, Von Trapp boyfriend tattle-tale sucky guy. . .

Actually I don't think Aryan is as inherently derogatory as most of its possible synonyms.
maybe just stick with Aryan. It is only used to refer to people of Germanic and Norse descent. It's a category of people. It has negative conotations because the Aryan race were the Nazi party and murdered over a billion people but
though every Nazi may have been an Aryan,
every Aryan is not necessarily a Nazi.

Answer 7

It just means German or Bavarian or Hungarian decent (european) Austrian even
people equate Germans with natzia who tried to only have "arian" people in the world through genocide and war
It is not a derogatory term neccesarily,
Arain is used to describe someone who has blond hair, blue eyes and white skin.

Answer 8

No but it sounds "queer" (in a weird way). ;)

"Indo-European" has a better ring to it.



Additional comments:

Ooh... I guess I got a thumbs down for using the word "queer" in its original context. Maybe "obtuse" would have been a better choice of words but then it would be confused with geometry (not talking about triangles)...

Anyways, yes, "Aryan" is the correct term given to people of Indo-European descent. It is not just limited to pure white people with blue eyes and blonde hair as someone finally correctly explained below. Hitler tried to change the meaning into this convoluted concept of a "master race" which even he didn't belong to... So yeah, "Indo-European" is your synomym.

Answer 9

I do not want to be called Aryan. It makes me think of the Aryan Brotherhood or the Aryan Circle, both white supremacy gangs. I either want to be referred to as white or Caucasian.

Answer 10

The KKK mostly uses the term "aryan" and it might carry some negative connotations.

Answer 11

Maybe in the past it was OK, but modern culture equates "aryan" with the whole white power skinhead neo-Nazi stuff. Its just ignorance in my opinion.