26 Everyday Phrases That Were Commonplace But Are Now Considered Offensive
Language continually adapts to reflect societal values and sensitivities in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape. What was once deemed acceptable vernacular can quickly become outdated and offensive. Here are 26 everyday phrases that were once commonplace but are now considered offensive.
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“Rule of Thumb”
Initially, this phrase referred to a method of measurement derived from the use of the thumb. However, its origins also suggest a darker meaning, as it may have been used to justify domestic violence, indicating that a man could beat his wife with a stick no wider than his thumb. Due to this history, it’s now recognized as insensitive to survivors of abuse and is best avoided in conversation.
“Sold Down the River”
This phrase dates back to the era of slavery in the United States and refers to the practice of selling enslaved people down the Mississippi River to harsher conditions in the Deep South. It’s deeply offensive as it trivializes the suffering and exploitation endured by enslaved individuals and their families.
“Gyp” or “Gypped”
This colloquial term, meaning to cheat or swindle someone, is derived from the word “Gypsy,” a historically marginalized ethnic group. By using “gypped” or “gyp,” individuals inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes about the Romani people, suggesting that they are inherently deceitful.
“Indian Giver”
This phrase inaccurately portrays Indigenous people as dishonest or unreliable. It stems from a misunderstanding of Indigenous cultural practices regarding gift-giving and reciprocity. By using “Indian giver,” individuals perpetuate harmful stereotypes and dismiss the complex histories and experiences of Indigenous communities.
“Eskimo”
Once commonly used to refer to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, particularly in Alaska and Canada, this term is now considered outdated and offensive. It stems from colonial encounters and carries derogatory connotations, as it was imposed on Indigenous communities by outsiders. The preferred terms are “Inuit” or “Yupik,” depending on the specific cultural group referenced.
“Crazy” or “Insane”
These terms have historically been used to stigmatize and marginalize individuals with mental health conditions. By equating mental illness with irrationality or abnormality, such language reinforces harmful stereotypes and perpetuates discrimination. It’s essential to recognize that mental health conditions are legitimate medical conditions and not indicative of a person’s character or worth.
“Thug”
Often used as a racially coded term to describe Black individuals, particularly young Black men, this term perpetuates harmful stereotypes and biases. It is frequently employed in media and popular culture to criminalize and dehumanize Black people, contributing to systemic racism and injustice.
“Illegal Immigrant” or “Illegal Alien”
These terms reduce individuals to their immigration status, ignoring their humanity and dignity. They have been used to justify xenophobia, discrimination, and harsh immigration policies. The preferred term is “undocumented immigrant,” which emphasizes the lack of legal documentation without dehumanizing individuals or implying criminality.
“Midget”
This term is considered offensive and derogatory towards people with dwarfism. It diminishes the dignity and humanity of individuals with disabilities. The preferred terms are “little person” or “person with dwarfism,” which emphasize the personhood and agency of individuals while acknowledging their unique physical characteristics.
“Lame”
Originally referring to physical disability, this word has evolved into a derogatory term implying incompetence or inferiority. By using “lame” to describe something undesirable or unimpressive, individuals perpetuate ableism and disregard the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities.
“Cotton-picking”
This phrase traces its origins to the brutal history of slavery in the United States, where enslaved individuals were forced to pick cotton under harsh and inhumane conditions. By using “cotton-picking” as an intensifier or expletive, individuals trivialize the suffering and exploitation endured by enslaved people and their descendants.
“Off the Reservation”
This phrase originates from colonial policies that confined Native American individuals to designated areas of land known as reservations. By using “off the reservation” to describe someone who is acting independently or contrary to expectations, you overlook the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities for self-determination and cultural preservation.
“Master” and “Slave” (in Technology Contexts)
In the context of technology, “master” and “slave” are terms used to describe the relationship between interconnected devices, where one device controls the operation of another. However, these terms carry connotations of oppression and exploitation, evoking slavery and racial hierarchy.
“Whitelist” and “Blacklist” (in Technology Contexts)
In technology, “whitelist” refers to a list of trusted entities, while “blacklist” refers to a list of banned or unauthorized entities. However, these terms can reinforce racial stereotypes and perpetuate harmful associations between blackness and negativity.
“Grandfathered in”
This phrase originated from laws that exempt specific individuals or entities from new regulations or requirements based on their existing status or conditions. While the term may seem innocuous on the surface, its historical context is rooted in discriminatory practices that favor certain privileged groups while excluding others. Specifically, the term has ties to voting laws in the post-Reconstruction South that disenfranchised Black citizens through literacy tests and poll taxes while exempting those whose ancestors were eligible to vote before the Civil War, effectively “grandfathering” them in.
“Spirit Animal”
Originally a concept from Indigenous cultures, particularly Native American and First Nations peoples, the term “spirit animal” refers to a spiritual guide or guardian animal believed to offer protection, guidance, or inspiration. However, its casual appropriation and misuse in contemporary contexts, especially outside Indigenous cultural frameworks, trivialize and disrespect Indigenous spiritual traditions.
“You Guys”
While commonly used as a gender-neutral term for a group of people, particularly in informal settings, the phrase “you guys” can be exclusionary to non-binary individuals and reinforce gender binaries. By defaulting to a masculine term to address mixed-gender groups, individuals may inadvertently invalidate the identities of non-binary people and perpetuate gender norms.
“Man up” or “Grow a Pair”
These phrases are rooted in traditional notions of masculinity that equate strength, resilience, and courage with male characteristics. By using these expressions, individuals reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and expectations, suggesting that traits like toughness or bravery are exclusively masculine qualities. Such language marginalizes individuals who do not conform to traditional gender norms but also perpetuates toxic masculinity and the stigma surrounding vulnerability in men.
“Hysterical” or “Hysteria”
Historically, these terms were used to pathologize and discredit women’s emotions and experiences, particularly those deemed to be overly emotional or irrational. Originating from the Greek word “hystera,” meaning uterus, “hysteria” was once believed to be a medical condition exclusive to women caused by disturbances in the uterus.
“That’s so Gay”
This phrase is commonly used as a derogatory expression to describe something as undesirable, stupid, or inferior. By associating the term “gay” with negativity or ridicule, individuals promote homophobia and contribute to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people. Such usage reinforces harmful stereotypes and contributes to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.
“Retarded”
This term, once used as a medical diagnosis for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has evolved into a derogatory slur that demeans and dehumanizes people with disabilities. By using “retarded” as a synonym for stupidity or incompetence, individuals side with ableism and reinforce negative stereotypes about intellectual disabilities.
“Illegal” as a Noun
Referring to individuals as “illegals” reduces them to their immigration status and dehumanizes them, implying that their existence or presence is inherently criminal. This language is often used to justify xenophobia, discrimination, and punitive immigration policies that target vulnerable populations.
“Tranny” or “Shemale”
These terms are derogatory and disrespectful towards transgender individuals, particularly transgender women. They reduce transgender people to their assigned sex at birth and sexualize their identities. Using such language not only contributes to the marginalization and violence faced by transgender individuals but also fosters a culture of discrimination and intolerance.
“Gender-bending” or “Cross-dressing”
These terms are often used to describe individuals who express their gender identity in ways that differ from societal expectations or norms. However, they can be reductive and dismissive of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
“Third World” or “Developing Country”
These terms are rooted in colonial and Cold War-era classifications that divide the world into categories based on economic and political criteria. By categorizing countries as “third world” or “developing,” such language perpetuates colonial attitudes. It reinforces hierarchical power dynamics that position Western countries as superior and non-Western countries as inferior or backward.
