Jap Bikes?

XTINCT

XTINCT

Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
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I would like to think that the use of the term "Jap Bikes" by members of this forum is not intended as a racial slur. From my interaction with forum members I can't imagine that anyone would be using this description in that manner.
It should be made clear though that many find the term to be offensive and racist.
It originated during the 2nd World War as a derogatory term.
"Japanese bike" would be much more universally accepted.
 
Yes it’s a strange one, ‘Jap’ is seen as derogatory by many, as is ‘Paki’.

But both are simply shortened words, no derogatory meaning at all.

I’m not aware of any British people who take offence at being called Brit. Or any Scottish people that object to being called a Scot. Etc.

But these days it’s rapidly become difficult to string a sentence together without offending one group or another. Often a group you didn’t even know existed!
 
Nope all my mates and I have always used the term "Jap bikes" coz it's quicker than saying Japanese motorcycle no other reason
Why do you ask?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Yes it’s a strange one, ‘Jap’ is seen as derogatory by many, as is ‘Paki’.

But both are simply shortened words, no derogatory meaning at all.

I’m not aware of any British people who take offence at being called Brit. Or any Scottish people that object to being called a Scot. Etc.

But these days it’s rapidly become difficult to string a sentence together without offending one group or another. Often a group you didn’t even know existed!
Click to expand...


You first two sentences are contradictory.

Similar to saying some of your best friends are Japs.
 
My wife is...

But please tell me, why is a shortened word derogatory?

There are many derogatory terms used for race. But I genuinely don’t understand why a simple shortened word is seen as such.
 
I was once berated (by an American) for using the title Indian, to describe Indians.

I was informed I should use the term Native American.

Trouble is, I was referring to the citizens of India...
 
Fast Eddie said:
My wife is...

But please tell me, why is a shortened word derogatory?

There are many derogatory terms used for race. But I genuinely don’t understand why a simple shortened word is seen as such.
Click to expand...


If your wife is from Japan, would you describe her as being Japanese or a Jap?

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say:

Jap is an English abbreviation of the word "Japanese". Today it is generally regarded as an ethnic slur among Japanese minority populations in other countries, although English-speaking countries differ in the degree to which they consider the term offensive. In the United States, Japanese Americans have come to find the term very controversial or extremely offensive, even when used as an abbreviation.[1] In the past, Jap was not considered primarily offensive; however, during and after the events of World War II, the term became derogatory.[2]
 
My wife used to find it offensive, until I asked her why. There are lots of derogatory terms used by Westerners for Orientals, largely as a result of the various wars I imagine. But this isn’t one, it’s simply a shortened word.

I agree completely that in general, most people percieve it as derogatory, so, in general, I too avoid using it as I do not want to be seen as being derogatory.

But my question, to you or anyone else, is still why is it perceived like this?

Why is Jap derogatory and Brit not??

Moreover, to the OPs question, why is Jap bike is seen as derogatory whilst Brit bike is not??

I simply fail to see any logic in this.
 
Fast Eddie said:
My wife used to find it offensive, until I asked her why. There are lots of derogatory terms used by Westerners for Orientals, largely as a result of the various wars I imagine. But this isn’t one, it’s simply a shortened word.

I agree completely that in general, most people percieve it as derogatory, so, in general, I too avoid using it as I do not want to be seen as being derogatory.

But my question, to you or anyone else, is still why is it perceived like this?

Why is Jap derogatory and Brit not??

Moreover, to the OPs question, why is Jap bike is seen as derogatory whilst Brit bike is not??

I simply fail to see any logic in this.
Click to expand...


Racism has no logic.
 
Perceived racism has no logic either.

I am Irish and find Irish jokes very funny, the real joke being the best Irish jokes are written by the Irish but instead of the 'Irishman' its the 'man from Cork' that its about.
 
I'm not quite sure of the logic but 'Jap bike' seems OK but 'Paki shop' definitely isn't.
 
Well, if the answer is that there is no logic to it, then I guess we’re back where we started.

I don’t suppose I was expecting any real ‘answer’ but one can try. I just genuinely find it ilogical that an abbreviation for one race is derogatory when an abbreviation for another is not.

However, there is no escaping the fact that above video serves well to demonstrate that some words do sound derogatory, even when not intended!
 
I refer to myself as an"ex-Pat Brit" which I don't consider derogatory in any way. For many years, British people in the UK have referred to all US people as "Yanks", not recognising that "Yankee" refers to people from a relatively small area of the US. They often can't tell the difference between a US accent and a Canadian one, so both nationalities are often called "Yanks".
 

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