9 Phrases That People Commonly Use, But Don’t Know They Are Racist
Some of the terms are insulting regardless of their origin, but some may come as a surprise to many.
Some everyday phrases sound harmless until you look at where they came from. A new round of online discussion has people rethinking words and expressions that have been used for years without much thought.
In this roundup, the focus is on nine phrases that carry racist or offensive roots, even when the speaker does not intend harm. Some are easy to spot, while others may surprise you because they are still used so casually.
Read through the list, and you may catch yourself hearing these phrases differently from now on.
1. "Thug" Phrase
A thug is a vicious criminal, so calling protesters that is entirely wrong and insulting.
That one lands harder than people expect.
2. "Grandfather Clause" Phrase
Encyclopedia Britannica states: “The grandfather clause is a statutory or constitutional device enacted by seven Southern states between 1895 and 1910 to deny suffrage to African Americans. It provided that those who had enjoyed the right to vote prior to 1866 or 1867, or their lineal descendants, would be exempt from educational, property, or tax requirements for voting. Because former slaves had not been granted the franchise until the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870, these clauses effectively excluded black people from voting while assuring the franchise to many impoverished and illiterate whites.”
3. "Gypsy" or "Gyp" Phrase
Wikimedia Commons“Gypsy” is an insult referring to the Roma people, who have historically been outsiders and refugees. The term “Gypsy” and the word “gyp” or “to get gypped” imply being tricked or cheated, as Roma people are stereotyped as thieves.
4. "Uppity" Phrase
This phrase has negative connotations and is often used to demean individuals who assert themselves.
People still use it casually, but the history is not casual at all.
And speaking of sentencing drama, Diddy’s new developments after charges tied to sex trafficking and racketeering are a reminder that words have real consequences.
5. "Sold Down the River" Phrase
This is a direct reference to slaves being sold down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
6. "Welfare Queen" Phrase
First used during Ronald Reagan’s 1976 presidential campaign, this phrase was employed to describe individuals on welfare or those taking advantage of the system.
It sounds like a throwaway insult, but it has a long political shadow.
7. "Shuck and Jive" Phrase
The phrase in question carries a troubling legacy that traces back to the era of slavery, reflecting a time when Black individuals were frequently dehumanized and their cultural expressions dismissed. The usage of this phrase perpetuates damaging stereotypes and can be profoundly offensive. Describing President Obama with this phrase is particularly problematic, as it strips away the dignity and complexity of his identity, reducing a multifaceted individual to a simplistic and derogatory characterization. This illustrates how language can reinforce historical injustices and highlights the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in our everyday expressions.
8. "Long Time No See" Phrase
This phrase was invented and used to mock Native Americans, as it ridicules their traditional greeting.
That origin makes the phrase feel very different.
9. "The Peanut Gallery" Phrase
We bet you will think twice before using any of these phrases. Think twice and refrain from using them.
If you know of other racist phrases that we commonly use today, please share them in the comments section.
Some phrases are harder to unhear once you know their history.
For another inheritance blowup, see why this cousin kept demanding grandma’s money.
