The term "Jap" - an abbreviation or an insult?

[sebhaque]

Having a social with some visitors from the US, the chat moved onto cars. I mentioned that I drove a Japanese car and "have great respect for the Jap approach to building cars." Said American visitors were taken aback by this comment, saying that the term was as offensive as the derogatory term to describe Pakistanis.

I raise this thread as a point of discussion. I have certainly never thought the term "Jap" was offensive - it's just an abbreviation for Japanese. While I am indeed almost synonymous with the Pakistani slang, I believe that is only a faux pas due to its past usage. Is this why the Japanese term is a no-no in the US? I'm very confused as to why that particular term is a no-no when I've not heard a word against it.

[Hooli]

Jap has nothing to do with anyone who isn't from Japan as far as I've ever thought.

The answer OP is 'Yanks are mental'.

[Impasse]

Brits don't insult anyone.

[Hooli]

Impasse said:

Brits don't insult anyone.

I prefer the phrase 'An English gentleman is never unintentionally rude'.

[Barryboyni]

If I call British cars Brit cars is it offensive? Jesus Christ. Mary. Joseph. The donkey. A stable. A pile of straw. A manger. A big fk off star. 3 old dudes. How some people survive unaided I will never know.

[digger the goat]

Don't worry OP.
They also believe that they speak English !!

[Legacywr]

What about "Jap's eye"?

[vsonix]

Hooli said:

I prefer the phrase 'An English gentleman is never unintentionally rude'.

I like that.

But I've always found this a bit silly. If a load of people from another country started using 'Brit' in a slightly pejorative way (oh they all smell of marmite) would it really be worth the effort to get worked up over it when other people are simply into brevity?

[Impasse]

vsonix said:

I like that.

But I've always found this a bit silly. If a load of people from another country started using 'Brit' in a slightly pejorative way (oh they all smell of marmite) would it really be worth the effort to get worked up over it when other people are simply into brevity?

Ros bif.

[Steamer]

That's a good one..

Reminds me actually, there is a pub in Val Thorens ski resort called 'the frog & roast beef' - nobody bats an eyelid at that.

[ClassicMotorNut]

Jap

Brit
Turk
Scot
Aussie
Kiwi

They're all abbreviations. You just have to make sure you don't use '' to refer to an Indian or else there'll be hell about it.

[anonymous-user]

Like others have said I think it's just an abbreviation like Brit is, I certainly use it that way without malice.

[nagsheadwarrior]

ClassicMotorNut said:

Jap

Brit
Turk
Scot
Aussie
Kiwi

They're all abbreviations. You just have to make sure you don't use '' to refer to an Indian or else there'll be hell about it.

Whats Kiwi short for?

[GTIR]

Legacywr said:

What about "Jap's eye"?

Bit of a personal question don't you think.

Let's just assume the cream is doing it's job and the OP will be in fine fettle soon.

[Kiltie]

sebhaque said:

I have certainly never thought the term "Jap" was offensive - it's just an abbreviation for Japanese.

Well, you need to nip it in the bud.

[WinstonWolf]

Kiltie said:

sebhaque said:

I have certainly never thought the term "Jap" was offensive - it's just an abbreviation for Japanese.

Well, you need to nip it in the bud.

That is inappropriate use of language on a public forum, kindly report yourself to the mods.

[Kiltie]

WinstonWolf said:

That is inappropriate use of language on a public forum, kindly report yourself to the mods.

If you think it's inappropriate, it should be you who does the reporting.

[Fer]

WinstonWolf said:

Kiltie said:

sebhaque said:

I have certainly never thought the term "Jap" was offensive - it's just an abbreviation for Japanese.

Well, you need to nip it in the bud.

That is inappropriate use of language on a public forum, kindly report yourself to the mods.

Did he find a in your armour?

[Steve H]

The abbreviation for Pakistani is dicey over here because of it's historical use as a racist term, that's what makes it different from Brit, Scot, Aussie etc.

We don't have a substantial immigrant Japanese population, unlike some parts of the US so maybe Jap is an abbreviation in one place and an insult in another.

[FatSumo]

I was offended the other day



Quite clearly a use of the word 'Pom' to offend the British.

Where's me compo?!?!?