In this extensive study of ethnic labeling in the United States' popular speech and usage, the author explores the major traditional themes behind the development of ethnic slurs. Viewing U.S. slang as a reflection of social diversity, rapid change, and the complexity of U.S. society, he puts forth a special insight into the social workings of U.S. culture, both past and present. "Eminently readable fare for language buffs and sociologists." Booklist
"Did you know, for example that WASP originally stood for White Appalachian Southern Protestant? . . . Eminently readable fare for language buffs and sociologists." Booklist| Preface |
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vii | |
| Acknowledgments |
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xi | |
| Part I: Traditional Slurs |
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1 | (64) |
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Ethnic Slurs in Historical American Slang |
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3 | (12) |
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Six Types of Slurs and Their Themes |
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15 | (8) |
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Two Hundred Personal Names that Became Epithets |
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23 | (12) |
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Men . . . and One Hundred Epithets for Ethnic Women |
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35 | (12) |
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You Are What You Eat: Dietary Stereotypes |
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47 | (10) |
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Flippity Floppity: The Semantic Inversion and Transmigration of Slurs |
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57 | (8) |
| Part II: Newer Devices |
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65 | (54) |
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Sly Slurs: Mispronunciation and Decapitalization of Group Names |
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67 | (10) |
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Sly Slurs: Euphemisms and Codewords |
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77 | (18) |
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95 | (8) |
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Ding Dong, the Wicked WASP Is Dead |
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103 | (16) |
| Afterword |
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119 | (2) |
| Appendix: Good Reading on Bad Words |
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121 | (2) |
| References |
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123 | (8) |
| Index of Slur-Names |
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131 | (9) |
| Author-Subject Index |
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140 | |
IRVING LEWIS ALLEN is Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut.
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