All languages evolve and change, with new words entering our vocabulary every year and some words falling out of use. However, some words and expressions are used every day without people understanding their racism.
“That’s So Ghetto”
“Ghetto” historically refers to segregated urban areas, often predominantly Black or minority communities. Using “ghetto” to describe something negative unfairly associates these communities solely with poverty, disrepair, and undesirable situations.
“Selling Someone Down the River”
The phrase “selling someone down the river” is racist due to its direct connection to the transatlantic slave trade when enslaved people were transported and sold across the Atlantic Ocean. Enslaved people deemed disobedient or “difficult” were often sold further south from the Mississippi River, particularly to plantations known for harsher conditions.
“Master Bedroom”
The term “master” originates from a time when slavery was prevalent. Masters held complete control over enslaved people, and the term inherently implies a power dynamic of dominance and possession. While the use of the term “master bedroom” may be unintentional, it is best replaced with “primary bedroom” or “large bedroom.”
“Peanut Gallery”
Historically, “peanut gallery” referred to the cheapest theater seats, often occupied by Black audiences. These patrons would sometimes throw peanuts at performers they disliked. The term perpetuates negative stereotypes by associating Black people with disruptive or uncultured behavior. It implies that their opinions are irrelevant or hold less value.
“Eeenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe”
A much different and offensive version of the classic rhyme once existed. It replaced “tiger” with a racial slur targeted towards Black people and was widely used until the mid-20th century. Despite the seemingly harmless wording, continuing to use the rhyme can perpetuate the association with the offensive version.
“No Can Do”
The phrase “no can do” mimics a simplified form of English often associated with non-native speakers, particularly immigrants from East Asian countries in the early 20th century. This usage reinforces the harmful stereotype that immigrants lack proper English skills and implies their inability to understand or complete tasks.
“Grandfathered In”
The term originated from legislation passed in several Southern US states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These laws aimed to disenfranchise Black voters through literacy tests and poll taxes. The “grandfather clause” within these laws exempted individuals from the new voting requirements if their grandfathers were eligible to vote before a specific date. Using the term casually disregards the historical context and the deliberate attempt to suppress Black participation in the democratic process.
“Cakewalk”
The Cakewalk got its name from a dance performed by enslaved people on plantations in the Southern United States. Enslaved people were often forced to perform these dances for the amusement of their owners. They were subsequently picked up by racist minstrel performances.
“Mumbo Jumbo”
In the 17th century, “Mumbo Jumbo” was used to refer to a specific West African language. British explorers encountered speakers of this language and found their speech unintelligible due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Over time, “mumbo jumbo” evolved to describe anything nonsensical, gibberish, or difficult to understand. This association implies that the language being referenced is primitive or inferior.
“Off the Reservation”
This term refers to the brutal history of forced relocation of Native American tribes by the U.S. government in the 19th century. It implies that Native Americans were not free to move around or live wherever they chose, and using the term today reinforces the negative stereotype of Native Americans being unable to follow societal rules.
“Lynch Mob”
Lynch mobs were primarily white mobs that targeted Black individuals, often with false accusations. They subjected them to brutal public killings without trial. People still using the term today trivialize the act of brutally murdering individuals without due process and reinforce racial hatred.
“Fuzzy Wuzzy”
“Fuzzy Wuzzy” may sound like an affectionate term, but it has roots in racism, as it was used during the Mahdist War in Sudan. British soldiers used “Fuzzy Wuzzy” to refer to the people of the Hadendoa tribe and their hairstyles. The phrase stuck when it was used as a general term for people with Afro-textured hair and is offensive to many people.
“Chinese Whispers”
Using this phrase implies that the Chinese language is inherently confusing or unintelligible to non-Chinese speakers, and there is no historical evidence directly linking the game’s origin to the complexity of the Chinese language.
“Jew Him Down”
This phrase “jew him down” perpetuates a harmful stereotype that Jewish people are inherently greedy or shrewd in business dealings. This stereotype has been used throughout history to justify discrimination and violence against Jewish communities.
“Chop Chop”
The phrase “chop chop” was used by British sailors in the 19th century, who held a position of power over Chinese workers. Repetition of the words, even without malicious intent, reinforces the stereotype that Asian people have limited English proficiency and should be spoken to in a simplified manner.
“Indian Giver”
Native American cultures value the process of giving gifts, and they feel offended by the term “Indian Giver.” The phrase implies that Native Americans give gifts with the expectation of receiving something of equal value in return, portraying them as deceptive, which is unfair.
“Oriental”
Using the word “oriental” to describe all people from East Asian cultures is lazy and stereotypical. The words “Oriental,” alongside others such as “exotic and “mystical,” are insensitive to many East Asian people who want to be viewed as individuals rather than being lumped together with others from many different countries.
American Customs That Confuse the Rest of the World
Non-Americans are pointing out puzzling aspects of American culture, such as the obsession with sugary foods, complex tipping customs, and the prevalence of guns and violence in media. These observations highlight the cultural nuances that can confuse outsiders.
American Customs That Confuse the Rest of the World
What Does the World Really Thinks of Americans
It’s obvious that every part of the world has something to say about Americans or knows something about this glorious country. To identify what foreigners think about Americans by leveraging general news articles and social media surveys, we bring you what we found.
