Being part Wop myself, I would not be likely to use any such abbreviations. I used Negro above, but would not use Nigger; Negro, to me, is no more offensive than Caucasian.

who or what is a "Wop?"

I had always heard it was short for "Without Papers" and used for Italians

You're as out-of-date as I am, koheesti. Chambers Slang Dictionary dates it from 1910s, but does not give an etymology. I certainly learnt it from my father, who was growing up about that time (born 1894).

Another example of idiot Labour politicians and their PC ideas -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10059873/Council-vetoes-flag-of-St-George-after-concerns-raised-about-links-to-Crusades.html

A local council decided against flying the flag of St George after concerns were raised that it would offend the town’s 16 Muslim residents.

I suppose she never watches England football matches with thousands (well, maybe hundreds) of Muslim supporters at the stadium and millions more watching on television (some even from the comfort of the pub bar )

BUMP

Well, I've tried posting this once, but there seems to be something wrong with the Internet.

Here's a second attempt.

Idiot Labour Councillor has an attack of the PCs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10059873/Council-vetoes-flag-of-St-George-after-concerns-raised-about-links-to-Crusades.html

A local council decided against flying the flag of St George after concerns were raised that it would offend the town’s 16 Muslim residents.

Now I realise that a woman Labour Councillor may not be aware of the game of soccer, but surely she must be aware of the thousands of supporters who travel to England matches, both home and away, with St George's banner flying from cars, coaches, trains and other forms of transport? And the quite large portion of Muslims among those crowds in the stadium, plus the many more watching from the comfort of home (or the pub)?

Maybe, because there are only 16 in her constituency, she does not realise how far most muslims have come in joining the community in general. I realise that Cambridge may be exceptionally well integrated, but we have here a very large mix from all over the world - at the last count over 140 languages represented in the city and university. I've even met a few Scots here - and they may object to the St Georges banner, but we'll have to wait for the one-sided referendum to find out.

(Why didn't the English get a vote?)

BUMP

Well, I've tried posting this once, but there seems to be something wrong with the Internet.

Here's a second attempt.

Idiot Labour Councillor has an attack of the PCs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10059873/Council-vetoes-flag-of-St-George-after-concerns-raised-about-links-to-Crusades.html

A local council decided against flying the flag of St George after concerns were raised that it would offend the town’s 16 Muslim residents.

Now I realise that a woman Labour Councillor may not be aware of the game of soccer, but surely she must be aware of the thousands of supporters who travel to England matches, both home and away, with St George's banner flying from cars, coaches, trains and other forms of transport? And the quite large portion of Muslims among those crowds in the stadium, plus the many more watching from the comfort of home (or the pub)?

Maybe, because there are only 16 in her constituency, she does not realise how far most muslims have come in joining the community in general. I realise that Cambridge may be exceptionally well integrated, but we have here a very large mix from all over the world - at the last count over 140 languages represented in the city and university. I've even met a few Scots here - and they may object to the St Georges banner, but we'll have to wait for the one-sided referendum to find out.

(Why didn't the English get a vote?)

On the contrary....I am happy to celebrate St George's Day with my English friends.

The only issue I have with the English is their insistence on leaving their borders open for any old Jack and Jill to enter the country unchecked.

This is what three decades of neo-Liberalism gets you. I read recently about someone being dismissed for using the word niggardly, in it's correct context I might add.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%22niggardly%22

It is not as if political correctness stays still either, what was once acceptable becomes unacceptable over time and the prohibitions on behaviour of whoever is not a member of a protected minority increase until the majority almost assume a fetal position in apology for whatever offense they may cause. Certain minority groups milk this situation with great cynicism.

I remember once discussing how to approach a contract with a black co-worker. I cautioned him that we didn't want to be sold down the river due to any small print. He replied, yes, we don't want to be sold down that Swanee river. The chap in question didn't for a minute take offense and was amused by my faux pas, but I know many people who would have gone straight to human remains resources and got me fired. Context is everything and I wish the onus was on an accuser to prove malign intent, not the other way round.

This is what three decades of neo-Liberalism gets you. I read recently about someone being dismissed for using the word niggardly, in it's correct context I might add.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%22niggardly%22

...

Context is everything and I wish the onus was on an accuser to prove malign intent, not the other way round.

You mean "Innocent until proven guilty"?

It'll never happen in this context - the finger-pointers are not concerned with justice, they just want everyone to conform to their philosophy. (Which changes by the hour)

No flags of St George, they may prove distressing for foreign racists, who hate the English, or indeed self-hating leftists too.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2327441/Steven-Rolfe-Ex-soldier-told-repaint-St-Georges-flag-door-housing-association-deemed-offensive-distressing.html

You can't say Negro in the USA. Too many old crackers pronounced it Niggra.

You can't say it even if you pronounce it right. In my lifetime, the polite term has gone from colored, to negro, to black, to African American. I wonder what it will be next.

You can't say it even if you pronounce it right. In my lifetime, the polite term has gone from colored, to negro, to black, to African American. I wonder what it will be next.

That's what I meant.

African American is too long.

I prefer black.

I actually know actual black people. Not saying as my best friends.

They are totally OK with white people saying black. They say it themselves.

Black is not a slur at all.

You can't say Negro in the U.S.

Whether or not you get your ass kicked would depend.

If you're a Spanish speaker or a clueless Pommie, you'll probably get a pass.

You can't say it even if you pronounce it right. In my lifetime, the polite term has gone from colored, to negro, to black, to African American. I wonder what it will be next.

That's what I meant.

African American is too long.

I prefer black.

I actually know actual black people. Not saying as my best friends.

They are totally OK with white people saying black. They say it themselves.

Black is not a slur at all.

You can't say Negro in the U.S.

Whether or not you get your ass kicked would depend.

If you're a Spanish speaker or a clueless Pommie, you'll probably get a pass.

I thought they were brothers.

You can't say it even if you pronounce it right. In my lifetime, the polite term has gone from colored, to negro, to black, to African American. I wonder what it will be next.

That's what I meant.

African American is too long.

I prefer black.

I actually know actual black people. Not saying as my best friends.

They are totally OK with white people saying black. They say it themselves.

Black is not a slur at all.

You can't say Negro in the U.S.

Whether or not you get your ass kicked would depend.

If you're a Spanish speaker or a clueless Pommie, you'll probably get a pass.

I thought they were brothers.

Only if you're a brother, brother.

No flags of St George, they may prove distressing for foreign racists, who hate the English, or indeed self-hating leftists too.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2327441/Steven-Rolfe-Ex-soldier-told-repaint-St-Georges-flag-door-housing-association-deemed-offensive-distressing.html

Another example of actions by idiots who represent no one.

These PC nutters do not act nor speak for any minority and stupid actions such as this and that of the morons on Radstock council only make usually sensible people think that minorities are trying to change the British way of life.

From the Daily Mail article linked to by Steely Dan

The enforcement notice has sparked outrage among Mr Rolfe’s neighbours in Preston and Muslim groups have criticised the housing company’s stance. Ali Anwar, a Muslim representative on the Preston faith forum, said: ‘As far as I’m concerned, a man’s home is his castle, and he should be allowed to express himself as he wishes.

'This is political correctness gone mad. As a Muslim it really frustrates me that organisations become overly politically correct and make issues and tensions where there aren’t any. They don’t speak for the Muslim community.

‘The flag of St George needs to be reclaimed from the far right. There is nothing offensive about the flag and anyone who is proud to be English should be able to fly it.’

The 2006 World Cup was the first major tournament after we moved into our housing association owned flat.

We all got a letter from the landlord saying that English flags flying from balconies must be removed as not every tenant was English and some may find it offensive.

I wrote back saying that I could not imagine any other country where flying the national flag could be banned in case foriegners found it offensive!

I also pointed out that in addition to some balconies displaying the English flag, the Croatian, Portuguese and Brazilian flags were also being flown. I asked if the residents concerned had been told to remove these.

In addition, I said that both the Thai flag and the Union flag had been on constant display on my balcony since we had moved in over a year previously and no one had ever objected.

Still waiting for the answer.