# Finally, alcoholics get the respect they deserve! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469 "2024-07-19T18:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/1 "2024-07-19T18:38:40Z")
The jamboree bear Liver Lips McGrowl is being replaced because alcoholics might be offended by his name. He is being replaced by Romeo McGrowl, who will later be replaced for having a name that ideates teen suicide. > **[Disney axes another ‘offensive’ character after 50 years](https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/07/disney-axes-another-offensive-character-after-50-years.html)** > > This isn’t the first time Disney has removed a character for fear of offending its parkgoers ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/2 "2024-07-19T18:43:34Z")
No. Here’s a better article. It was because the term was also used as a slut against African Americans. > **[‘Drunk’ Disney bear cancelled over ‘derogatory and offensive’ name](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/07/18/disney-world-liver-lips-mcgrowl-drunk-bear-offensive/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cliver%20lips%E2%80%9D%20is,decision%20to%20modify%20the%20character.%E2%80%9D)** > > After 50 years, Liver Lips McGrowl will no longer be on show at the Country Bear Jamboree ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/3 "2024-07-19T20:24:57Z")
I thought Steven Tyler was “Liver Lips”! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/4 "2024-07-19T20:34:14Z")
That article says that the term “liver lips” is associated with alcohol use, but that’s not something I had ever heard. Apparently it is offensive, though, because it was first used to describe African-American lips, and their size and color. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/5 "2024-07-19T20:36:55Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > The jamboree bear Liver Lips McGrowl is being replaced because alcoholics might be offended by his name. He is being replaced by Romeo McGrowl, who will later be replaced for having a name that ideates teen suicide. > > [Disney axes another ‘offensive’ character after 50 years - nj.com](https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/07/disney-axes-another-offensive-character-after-50-years.html) Or possibly ideates excessive predatory sexuality. > [@hajario](#): > > No. Here’s a better article. It was because the term was also used as a slut against African Americans. > > [Disney World bear Liver Lips McGrowl cancelled over fears it will offend alcoholics](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/07/18/disney-world-liver-lips-mcgrowl-drunk-bear-offensive/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cliver%20lips%E2%80%9D%20is,decision%20to%20modify%20the%20character.%E2%80%9D) I feel like his lips weren’t modelled after the “L word”. And why “McGrowl”? I don’t think Scotland is known for its thriving bear population. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/6 "2024-07-19T20:38:17Z")
I’ve never heard of “Liver Lips” being a slur against **any** one. But perhaps I travel in less-slurry circles. As far as the Country Bears go: I think we should count ourselves lucky that they didn’t replace Liver Lips with The Hulk. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/7 "2024-07-19T20:54:16Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Or possibly ideates excessive predatory sexuality. No, that’s his uncle cousin Lothario McGrowl. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/8 "2024-07-19T20:57:46Z")
My lawyer “Licky-lips” J.Lester Lichtenstein might feel he’s being slurred. And he’d be correct. The man licks his lips like Joe Biden pulls his ear. I buy him a chapstick bundle for Christmas every year. I know he needs it. I adore him. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/9 "2024-07-19T20:59:16Z")
Alcoholics aren’t offended by a bear named Liver Lips. They’re offended when a bartender won’t serve them another drink. You’ll hear some seriously offensive names when that happens. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/10 "2024-07-19T21:09:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That article says that the term “liver lips” is associated with alcohol use, but that’s not something I had ever heard. I hadn’t ever noticed hearing it before but have actually heard it at least two or three times. I know this now because I have watched _Christmas Vacation_ at least two or three times. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0NDmJWYn4Uk/maxresdefault.jpg "CHRISTMAS VACATION | EAT MY ROAD GRIT LIVER LIPS | CLIP") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NDmJWYn4Uk) [Google search link showing many tee-shirt designs](https://www.google.com/search?q=eat+my+road+grit+liver+lips&client=firefox-b-1-m&sca_esv=1be46b8d77827fb0&sca_upv=1&channel=ts&udm=2&biw=292&bih=574&sxsrf=ADLYWIIVuV40mpkZqDbq3sNdkui2XRuwdw%3A1721423232602&ei=gNWaZq2GJMrkwN4PxtCO6Ac&oq=eat+my+road+liver+lips&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhZlYXQgbXkgcm9hZCBsaXZlciBsaXBzKgIIADIGEAAYCBgeSNpJUNQuWPs4cAB4AJABAJgBkASgAYcOqgEHMy0xLjIuMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCA6ACrwrCAgQQIxgnwgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAggQABgHGAgYHpgDAIgGAZIHBTMtMS4yoAeYCg&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp). (Clarke was yelling that to rednecks in a truck.) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/11 "2024-07-19T22:20:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Apparently it is offensive, though, because it was first used to describe African-American lips, and their size and color. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > I’ve never heard of “Liver Lips” being a slur against **any** one. But perhaps I travel in less-slurry circles. Also, you’re white, and we white people tend to encounter fewer anti-black slurs, especially the more old-fashioned kind of anti-black slurs, than black people do (unless we hang out with full-on hardcore racists). But yes, “liver lips” as a term mocking African-American physiognomy is definitely a well-attested slur, going back at least as far as sources like [the circa 1890 minstrel song “The Whistling Coon”:](https://genius.com/George-w-johnson-whistling-coon-lyrics) > [@](#): > > Oh he’s got a pair of lips like a pound of liver, split > And a nose like an india-rubber shoe […] ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/12 "2024-07-19T22:40:26Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It was because the term was also used as a slut against African Americans. Awkward spot for a typo, but we know what you meant. 🙂 As to what “liver lips” means … I’ve never heard of it applied to alcoholics. Absent info to the contrary I’d assume the OP’s cite is a joke or bad satire. Or Disney being _very_ discreet about what they tell their employees and customers. IME it always and only has been a racist slur and has been since I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/13 "2024-07-19T22:57:02Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > And why “McGrowl”? I don’t think Scotland is known for its thriving bear population. Large segments of the Appalachian-American population (and other rural southerners often described with, shall we say, unflattering words) tend to be associated with lower-class Scots-Irish roots. So there has always been quite an intersectionality of stereotype going on at the Jamboree. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/14 "2024-07-19T23:05:08Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Absent info to the contrary I’d assume the OP’s cite is a joke or bad satire. The [“Inside the Magic” blog post linked to in the OP’s cite,](https://insidethemagic.net/2024/07/country-bear-musical-jamboree-characters-retire-ad1/) which IMHO reads as though it was written by a chatbot, states the “alcoholism liver damage” explanation up front and, a few paragraphs later, the racial-slur explanation, followed by a repetition and expansion of the liver-damage explanation. I guess the reporter in the OP’s cite, who is possibly also a chatbot, didn’t bother reading the blog post they cited all the way through. I would also not be surprised if it turns out that “liver lips” is in fact sometimes used as a derogatory reference to side effects of excessive alcohol use (along the lines of “whisky nose” or “rum blossom”). Superficially a race-neutral epithet, but with a potential subtext of “hee hee, your alcohol-inflamed lips make you look like a [racial slur]!” ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/15 "2024-07-19T23:06:27Z")
So, is Disney going to claim Liver Lips McGrowl died of cirrhosis of the lips? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/16 "2024-07-19T23:08:00Z")
Is alcohol known to inflame lips? I know/have known a lot of heavy drinkers and alcoholics in my life, and this is not something I’ve observed or heard. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/17 "2024-07-19T23:15:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Is alcohol known to inflame lips? indirectly … heavy users fall a lot or - depending their temper - run into the odd fist which leads to facial inflamation ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/18 "2024-07-19T23:28:07Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Is alcohol known to inflame lips? I know/have known a lot of heavy drinkers and alcoholics in my life, and this is not something I’ve observed or heard. Apparently [it can happen,](https://www.ardurecoverycenter.com/can-alcohol-cause-mouth-ulcers/) at least according to one recovery-center website: > [@](#): > > Alcohol can contribute to the development of cheilitis or inflammation of the lips by causing nutritional deficiencies, tissue dehydration, and direct damage to lip tissue. This leads to unpleasant symptoms like dryness, cracking, scaling, burning, and redness that may come in recurrent episodes. Additionally, because alcohol acts as a vasodilator early on after drinking, this creates further inflammation and irritation of already inflamed lips trying to heal. That link’s not a medical site, but apparently it’s true that [alcoholism is a medically recognized causal factor in actinic cheilitis.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319133#causes) > [@](#): > > Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition caused by damage to the lip epithelium, which is the outer most tissue layer. […] > > Most people with actinic cheilitis develop similar symptoms. […] > > Common signs of actinic cheilitis include: […] > > - loss of the demarcation between the lower lip and surrounding skin > - [inflammation](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php) […] > - discoloration […] > > Listed below are some of the known causes of actinic cheilitis and risk factors for the condition: […] > > - Excessive alcohol use. […] ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/19 "2024-07-19T23:34:35Z")
I would also-also not be at all surprised if Disney knows very well that “liver lips” as a slur is far more strongly associated with race than with alcoholism, but they would rather use official explanations involving alcoholism rather than race, so that’s their story and they’re sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469/20 "2024-07-20T00:00:56Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > So, is Disney going to claim Liver Lips McGrowl died of cirrhosis of the lips? Is “Romeo McGrowl” really the same person as “Liver Lips McGrowl,” after he sobered up and got a makeover? Is he a relative (and if so, how related)? Was “Liver Lips” really so well-known that it wasn’t sufficient just to change the name? Does he even need a name? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-alcoholics-get-the-respect-they-deserve/1004469.md?page=2)