Larry:
I’m with Larry. I’m not suggesting you’re a hypocrite, saoirse; it’s just that I don’t think of racist connotations when I hear the offending phrase. Just as I don’t think the adjective “black-hearted” is racist. Now, it may well be that “that’s mighty white of you” has racist origins, but I’d venture that many people who hear the phrase don’t make that mental leap as an initial matter, if at all.
It absolutely should not. My approach is mainly pragmatic in her case: I think she (like Larry) may be unaware of the phrase’s history and how many people will interpret it, and they ought to be aware of these things. As a speaker or writer, it’s always good to have an idea of what your audience might bring to the table.
Daniel
And of course you know that in the language of my username, we’d be discussing whether the expression was offensive to blue people, right?
Yes, thank you.
Let’s hope he doesn’t start on “pot calling the kettle black.” I think saoirse might be Omarosa in disguise.
Incidentally, I also avoid the phrases “Welching on a bet” or “I was gypped,” for similar reasons. By no means is everyone who uses these phrases a racist or racial supremacist, but the phrases do carry racist connotations for a lot of the audience, and they derive their initial meaning from odious racial stereotypes, and I can make my point with very similar words. So I use the synonyms instead.
Daniel
One thing’s for sure: say “that’s mighty white of you” and the PC police will be all over you like white on rice.
As I said, I really don’t want to discuss other racially charged expressions. astro’s cite demonstrates that this particular expression was conceived in racism.
I may very well be Omarosa in disguise, but that does not affect whether you should listen to my arguments.
Oh for godsakes. The point is, “pot calling the kettle black” ISN’T racial at all.
saoirse:
Nope, I had no idea. 
How come?
I do know that your name means Freedom, thanks to Round Ireland With a Fridge. 
He knows, dear. That was his point.
Daniel
Neither is “a pig in a poke.” I started a thread to discuss a phrase that did have a racist origin. If you like, I can start thread in MPSIMS to discuss phrases that aren’t racist at all.
In Irish, a person of African descent is a gormán, or blue person.
dubh, black, describes someone who is malevolent or diabolical.
That solves the problem of connotation quite nicely. Well done.
Except, from reading the definition, it isn’t.
Which is exactly the way I meant it, except as sarcastically as possible, when I used it here. I’m sorry you find it offensive, but it seems you’re going out of your way to do so.
Random thoughts:
jeesh, go to the movies and see what happens while I’m gone!
Well, if it does(become a referendum on me–and what the hell is that, anyway? Should I be banned for using a common English insult?), it will be because of posts like this one. Jesus-my name wasn’t even mentioned until well into the thread. Post away. You all delineating my supposed character here for good or for ill doesn’t change my RL one bit. I’d like to see someone try to stick the “racist” label on me–it won’t stick.
To quote the master, Cecil, himself, you could find something suggestive in a dial tone!
The color white has always been associated with purity and cleanliness–King Arthur’s shield was white, virgins wear white (note: does not denote sexual virginity, denotes new to marital status), nurses and doctors wore white (until we figured out that white shows dirt like crazy!), see such common phrases as “pure as the driven snow” etc.
Not everything is racial. Ye gods-and here of all places! I assumed (wrongly, I see now), that folks here were intelligent and enlightened enough to realize that such a phrase would only be used ironically and to denigrate an opponent in the Pit. I am not the only poster to have used it.
Frankly, all this to me is a tempest in a teapot. I used it as a disparaging remark to a pompous, bloviating Doper. Frank quasi-asked me to not use it and I reassured him. Then, Starving Artist condescended to me in such a way (somewhat tongue in cheek), in the same thread, that I couldn’t resist–my next use of the phrase was funny and skewered the whole thread. SA laughed, I laughed and the world was better for it, for about 30 seconds. And my use of it was NOT accusing SA or the focus of that thread of being racist–something I made quite clear. SA did not take it that way. I have no idea how martin took it. Perhaps he’ll weigh in here.
I will not apologize for using idiomatic language in the appropriate way. I will not (unless mandated by a mod) refuse to use it as I see fit, here or elsewhere in my life. Oddly enough, it is only here where I have run into trouble with it. I have had black co-workers use it (in fun) to me and vice versa. I use it in the sense of “gracious” or “big”–as has been explained several times now. In case ya’ll think think that I’m going to bait people with it–rest assured. I am 1. not that immature and 2. not that wrapped up in SDMB to want to make that sort of name for myself.
I don’t KNOW any rednecks (a loaded term all on its own, btw). I don’t know any white supremecists (that I know of). I DO know some racist people–and I use this phrase in reference to them(not in fun) quite a bit. It’s a freaking INSULT. It plays on the whole purity, noblesse oblige, lord in his mansion, farmer at the gate mentality.
I can’t help your BIL. But if we are to start censoring ourselves based on extended families, there is no end in sight for us. I do hope you call your BIL on his racist BS. I have done so with my (un) lovely BIL and he doesn’t like me anymore–boohoo.
Larry Mudd -thank you for your cogent posts re this whole matter. I honestly think that this is some people looking to be offended. I dunno-I’ve been here awhile, and I’m amazed that people have been as nice to me as they have. I see people Pitted all the time for minor stuff-if this is my virgin Pitting, so be it.
Left Hand --I am aware of the racial connotations–I posted as much in the other thread. However, to me, it is a subtext to a pithy and effective way to show contempt for another’s patronization. Since it is OBVIOUS in my posts that no such undertone is suggested, it peeves me a bit to be told that I may not be aware of same.
Well, what did you want to communicate when you said, “Gee, how white of you?” How does it relate to whiteness?
My mother and I throw “that’s mighty white of you” back and forth every few months, typically in response to someone fishing for compliments after a fairly mundane accomplishment. It’s a useful turn of sarcastic phrase and I intend to keep using it.
Probably only with Mom, though.
It doesn’t! It’s just an insult!
From astro’s cite above:
Many things are racial.
(ps: I really didn’t want to mention your name. It took a little verbal yoga, if not actual gymnastics, to avoid it in the OP).
What I wanted to communicate? That I thought he was being a controlling selfish prick.
It doesn’t relate to “whiteness” so far as I know at all. It’s a phrase I picked up when I was in the military. I was helping a friend move a couch to a different room. She asked another person if he could help out with the cushions. He piled them on top of the couch and walked off. She shouted after him (very sarcastically) “Thanks, that’s mighty white of you!” I asked her what it meant and she said “the reverse of generous and helpful.” That was close to twenty years ago, and I’ve never heard it used in any other context.