The Evolution of Insults

When does a nickname become an insult and/or vice-versa?  British people, as far as the Solipsist knows, don't mind it when Americans call them "Brits."  In fact, one gets the impression that they consider it a term of endearment, in much the same way Americans don't mind being called "Yanks," and (again, one is presuming here) Australians don't mind being called "Aussies."

This might be because there's nothing inherently offensive about the terms--at least the terms "Brit" and "Aussie": They're basically just abbreviated versions of the actual words.  And yet, one cannot innocently call a Japanese person a "Jap" (and one should be careful about using it with "Jewish-American Princesses," too, although that seems to have lost some of its sting), and even calling a Jewish person a "Jew" seems to create some discomfort.  Why?  Presumably, it has something to do with the fact that "Jap" (along with "Nip"--short for Nipponese) was the term used by the Allies in World War II when speaking about their Axis enemies.  Memories are still--if not, "fresh," at least existent.  As for "Jew," that's trickier.  Frankly, we Jewish people are Jews; there's nothing derogatory about the word.  Maybe people feel uncomfortable because they think calling a Jewish person a Jew is equivalent to calling a Japanese person a Jap?

And what about other nationalities?  Most other country's populations haven't received friendly nicknames from Americans, have they?  The French can be "frogs"--or "cheese-eating surrender monkeys"--neither of which is particularly nice.  Germans use "Ami" to refer to Americans, not because of the French for "friend," but in the same way that Americans use "Brit": an affectionate abbreviation.  For somewhat obvious reasons, though, Americans don't use a similar "clipping" when talking about "Germans."  Is "Russkie" offensive?  Probably.  Is "Canuck"?  Well, probably not: Canadians don't get offended.  (How's THAT for offensive?)

On "Monty Python's Flying Circus," they once had a sketch about a game show called, "Prejudice."  On one segment, viewers were asked to submit suggestions for a derogatory term for Belgians.  After passing on "The Sprouts" and "The Phlegms," the winner was announced: "Miserable Fat Belgian Bastards."  Pretty unambiguously insulting.