Why is it that the short version of certain words is seen as offensive?

Question

For instance, the word "homosexual" is acceptable, but "homo" is not. The word "Jewish" is fine, but "jew" is seen as offensive. Just curious as to why this is so.

sweetballr: In all fairness, the short term for 'Black' is NOT the N-word, so it's not the same thing. And 'Whitey'(which I've been called before" is not short for "White" either.

Answer 1

I believe the reason is because,for instance, saying the term "Jewish", is completing a definition of a race of peoples or religious affiliation and thereby showing respect....saying "Jew",the short abbreviation is often taken as disrespectful because one did not extend the courtesy of completing the definition....In other words...you are not worthy of this small bit of honor and respect.

I would much rather hear the term "Fundamentalist", than "Fundie".

Answer 2

Hmmm...interesting question. I'd say it's because of the context it's usually used in. When someone is calling someone a "homo", it's usually a different and much less respectful tone than when someone says "He's a homosexual."

As for the word "jew", my husband and I are Jewish and I just asked his opinion. He agreed it's the same thing - how it's used. You'll occasionally here "The Jews" or "Jews" in a factual or respectful way, as in, "6 million Jews died in the Holocaust", which is fine. But phrases like "jew the price" or just derogatory generalizations about "those dirty jews" has probably made "Jewish" the preferred term. Most Jewish people I know say "I'm Jewish" not, "I'm a Jew", but I don't really know if it's offensive to say "I'm a Jew". People say "I'm a Christian", so you'd think "I'm a Jew" would be parallel, but it doesn't seem to be. The only reason I can think of is the connotation it has.

Answer 3

Saying homo is perfectly acceptable. Saying Jew is perfactly acceptable.
The words itself are not offensive. The tone of your voice when saying it and the context in which you use it makes it offensive.

I could have a Jewish person sitting next to me, and say he's a Jew? Will he get mad? No.

Homo means same, so its an accurate description.

Answer 4

Also consider that it depends on whom is using the term. I am Jewish, so for me to use the term "Jew", it's fine. And, hearing another Jewish person use the term is also fine. But, when an outsider uses it, I do bristle.

Answer 5

Excellent question. I would assume that it's based on the concept of not having enough respect for the particular group to vocalize the whole term. Just a guess.

Answer 6

When you can't even take the effort to say the entire word it's percieved as a slight. These are names of certain groups of people and since my last nmae is long I know I hate when people shorten it.

Answer 7

People have used "Jew" in an offensive context, but "homo" is a valid perversion, which the word accurately describes.

Answer 8

i personally don't find it offensive but many people do because of the attiude that goes with the word or the disgust in which some people say it..

Answer 9

ive been a jew all my life i dont find jew offensive. i'm proud to be called a jew. But hey if you find homo offensive its most likey your gay

Answer 10

Its just disrepectful to not say a full word....like i dont call white people whitey..or black people a ******....or whatever..or Arabics A-rabs....its jjust wrong....