# If you are white and were called a "wypipo", would you be offended? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752 "2018-05-07T14:22:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/61 "2018-05-08T13:50:05Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > By the way, now that we white people are discussing it, it’s probably obsolete. It became obsolete before I ever heard it! That’s an achievement of sorts.🙂 But seriously folks, I don’t see how it’s been established that this is a term separate from ‘white people’ rather than just phonetically spelling out that term in (perhaps stylized or exaggerated) African American dialect pronunciation. Which has become a bit of a trend. As was mentioned earlier, you can express contempt with all kind of terms. Some have more historical weight than others but that doesn’t make the underlying feelings in the speaker’s heart different necessarily. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/62 "2018-05-08T15:49:31Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > No, it’s just a manipulation of ‘white people’ to avoid detection by social media algorithms. Apparently neonazis can have facebook pages with no repercussions but posting too many times about white people can earn you a temp ban for violating community standards. This is the explanation I was given from a guy who uses it on Twitter. I laughed the first time I saw it. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/63 "2018-05-08T16:24:43Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase were in an SNL skit that kind of covers this discussion. > > On my cheap phone right now, will link later. Unless some other candy ass honky beats me to it. This one? [https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/word-association/n8615](https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/word-association/n8615) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/64 "2018-05-08T20:25:19Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > This one? > > [https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/word-association/n8615](https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/word-association/n8615) yes ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/65 "2018-05-08T23:55:24Z")
Yeah, agree with the OP, sounds like baby talk to me. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/66 "2018-05-09T02:20:05Z")
Meh. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/67 "2018-05-09T02:52:34Z")
This isn’t new or an epithet. I keep shifting between chuckling at this thread and cringing in second-hand embarrassment. I don’t discuss white people enough to need an abbreviation for the group, so I don’t use the term. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/68 "2018-05-09T03:20:32Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > … > What about you? If you’re white are you offended by the term? If you’re black would you use it? In the interest of racial harmony, I would cooperate and be offended. Obviously I prefer “United States denizen of primarily European phenotype”, because, yes, race is a social construct, and a rather silly and inconvenient one at that. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/69 "2018-05-09T05:04:53Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > This isn’t new or an epithet. I keep shifting between chuckling at this thread and cringing in second-hand embarrassment. I don’t discuss white people enough to need an abbreviation for the group, so I don’t use the term. Are you saying the term is not meant to be insulting? Because I would say “niguswhoread” seems to disagree. I mean the word carries no weight with me but if it was directed at me my first thought would be that they’re trying to get under my skin.\* Or is it that it’s never directed at anyone usually, just when talking about white people? Eta: \* no pun intended! ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/70 "2018-05-09T05:26:30Z")
Can it be used as an insult? Yes. Even saying “white people” in a certain tone can be insulting. Is it always meant to be insulting? No. Some guy on a random blog disagrees? Alright. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/71 "2018-05-09T10:18:22Z")
I find it a perfectly cromulent word, I’ve used it myself, usually in an online context and usually as a specifically _patronizing_ insult: - Oh, you don’t think “white privilege” exists? LOL, wypipo! _ruffles hair_ - Oh, you think it’s intolerant to not be tolerant of intolerance? Oh, wypipo, you so cute! _pats head_ So yeah, **Fenris** , when I use it it sounds like baby-talk. That’s because I use it _when I’m talking to babies_. ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/72 "2018-05-09T12:31:02Z")
If someone used it to refer to me, I’d be so angry and offended, I’d probably commit some sort of hate crime in response…maybe a genocide if I had the weekend free. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/73 "2018-05-09T14:40:01Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I find it a perfectly cromulent word, I’ve used it myself, usually in an online context and usually as a specifically _patronizing_ insult: > > - Oh, you don’t think “white privilege” exists? LOL, wypipo! _ruffles hair_ > - Oh, you think it’s intolerant to not be tolerant of intolerance? Oh, wypipo, you so cute! _pats head_ > > So yeah, **Fenris** , when I use it it sounds like baby-talk. That’s because I use it _when I’m talking to babies_. Do you ever not use it as an insult? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/74 "2018-05-09T14:46:35Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Do you ever not use it as an insult? Not really, no. Even the most whimsical use is still pretty damn patronising. I have, however, used it to refer to people who aren’t actually White, if that is useful info. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/75 "2018-05-09T15:27:50Z")
Yes it’s an insult. The degree of offense I take from it would depend on who was saying it and in what context. Also, “Wypipo” sounds like a racist Pokémon. I assume “Wypipo” evolves into “Wytrash” and thence to “Krakker”. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/76 "2018-05-09T15:38:12Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Also, “Wypipo” sounds like a racist Pokémon. I assume “Wypipo” evolves into “Wytrash” and thence to “Krakker”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/77 "2018-05-09T16:01:14Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > No, it’s just a manipulation of ‘white people’ to avoid detection by social media algorithms. Apparently neonazis can have facebook pages with no repercussions but posting too many times about white people can earn you a temp ban for violating community standards. I don’t read the facebook pages of neonazis to see what they are saying, but I can see how it might violate community standards if you keep saying “why do white people always do THIS?” like it’s some hackneyed 80s standup routine. Of course that’s for Facebook to decide. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Bullet\_Traffic\_Control](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@Jake\_Bullet\_Traffic\_Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Bullet_Traffic_Control)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/78 "2018-05-09T20:19:05Z")
The term is offensive because it’s _intended_ to be offensive. It’s not a compliment. It’s not a neutral term of endearment. It’s an insult. Is it as offensive as nigger? No. So what? Nigger isn’t some kind of magic benchmark for offensiveness. It’s not like there’s some rule that says if a racist insult is less offensive than nigger you have to laugh it off or you’re a pussy. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/79 "2018-05-09T21:08:27Z")
> [@Jake\_Bullet\_Traffic\_Control](#): > > The term is offensive because it’s _intended_ to be offensive. It’s not a compliment. It’s not a neutral term of endearment. It’s an insult. Is it as offensive as nigger? No. So what? Nigger isn’t some kind of magic benchmark for offensiveness. It’s not like there’s some rule that says if a racist insult is less offensive than nigger you have to laugh it off or you’re a pussy. On the other hand I don’t have to play along. I’m not offended and I don’t have to be offended because I’m not particularly concerned about what losers who can’t even come up with a good slur think. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/80 "2018-05-10T05:21:12Z")
Why ppl so mean? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752.md?page=5)