# "Injun" is derogatory? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 14, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827 "2012-02-14T17:48:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/1 "2012-02-14T17:48:50Z")
From here: [Why is Russ Hamilton perpetrator of the Ultimate Bet online poker scandal not in jail? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=642016) [QUOTE=Colibri] > [@](#): > > the people running the illegal online gambling operations are criminals themselves, crooks don’t call cops on other crooks, then the injuns would have to open up all their books in court > > if i steal a few bucks from a mugger Moderator Warning Pablo O’Malley, this is an official warning for use of derogatory language in General Questions. You have received at least four moderator notes, from three different moderators, in the week since you joined for insults and other inappropriate posts. If you continue this behavior, your posting privileges will be under discussion by the moderation staff. [/QUOTE] It’s probably not the most polite way to put it, but warning-worthy? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/2 "2012-02-14T17:55:51Z")
The poster who was warned is repeatedly posting rude, obnoxious comments. If I were a native American, I think “Injun” would be up there with spic, coon, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/3 "2012-02-14T17:58:41Z")
Wiki’s list of ethnic slurs…[List of ethnic slurs - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs) \*Injun an offensive term for a Native American, corrupted “Indian.” \* Whether it was meant as a slur or not is another matter. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/4 "2012-02-14T18:07:26Z")
I agree that the warning was appropriate but I’d also like to see the poster warned for excessive use of smilies. For example, in this post. > [@Money Laundering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-laundering/611862/45): > > ;):dubious::(:D;):p:rolleyes:⭕)😕:eek: > > anyone ever launder any dough this way?😕:):eek::mad::rolleyes:🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/5 "2012-02-14T18:20:09Z")
Now if he had spelled it properly, as in “. . . then the engines would have to open up all their books in court,” he mighta slud by. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/6 "2012-02-14T18:26:25Z")
Probably the first thing to do if you want to know if a word is derogatory or offensive is to look at a dictionary. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/injun](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/injun) > [@](#): > > In·jun  > noun **Often Offensive**. > an American Indian. [http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Injun](http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Injun) > [@](#): > > Injun > Noun > > 1. (slang) **offensive term** for Native Americans. > 2. \*\*Offensive terms \*\*for Native Americans. > **[Welcome to Macmillan Education Customer Support](https://macmillaneducation.my.salesforce-sites.com/help/)** > [@](#): > > an **extremely offensive** word for a Native American. You may see or hear this word, but do not use it. [http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/injun](http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/injun) > [@](#): > > Injun NOUN > (US, taboo, slang) > an **offensive word** for a Native American Bolding mine. Now, in certain kinds of discussions, such as literary ones, “injun” could be permitted. However, based on his short but highly problematic posting history **Pablo O’Malley** was deliberately trying to be offensive. He has received four moderator notes from three different moderators since he joined a week ago, any of which were technically warnable. (He was given a break for being a newbie.) I have told him repeatedly to knock it off. Since he doesn’t seem to be doing so, his future posts of this kind will receive warnings; I’ve given him two today. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/7 "2012-02-14T18:28:02Z")
And the smilies- please let’s not forget the smilies. It’s killing me. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/8 "2012-02-14T18:33:47Z")
Fair enough. Carry on, then. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/9 "2012-02-14T18:36:02Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/Injun](http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/Injun) I just have to say that this “definition” is silly. Since when did dictionaries start editorializing definitions? Other than that, I agree the word **can** be offensive if used in certain conversations (and I’d bet real money the poster in question intended it to be so). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/10 "2012-02-14T18:45:46Z")
Macmillan dictionaries are primarily published for students, so they include usage instructions and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/11 "2012-02-14T18:52:20Z")
> [@srzss05](#): > > I just have to say that this “definition” is silly. Since when did dictionaries start editorializing definitions? Several dictionaries provide usage notes or other recommendations to alert users to non-standard or offensive words. This is not exclusive to MacMillan. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/12 "2012-02-14T19:09:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Several dictionaries provide usage notes or other recommendations to alert users to non-standard or offensive words. This is not exclusive to MacMillan. I’ve seen usage notes and recommendations, but that is the first time I’ve ever seen a dictionary say “do not use this word.” Which, because I’m very immature, just makes me want to use it. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/13 "2012-02-14T19:15:12Z")
Can we now discuss the more important issue at hand, which is whether or not **Pablo O’Malley** will share his famous Corned Beef & Cabbage Burrito recipe with us. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/14 "2012-02-14T21:38:23Z")
The word Indian is (imo) derogatory. It’s incorrect, and it was a mistake to begin with, and continuing to call Native Americans Indians is somewhat ignorant. Indians are from India. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/15 "2012-02-14T21:40:25Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > The word Indian is (imo) derogatory. It’s incorrect, and it was a mistake to begin with, and continuing to call Native Americans Indians is somewhat ignorant. Indians are from India. The Native Americans in my family don’t agree. However, I prefer Native American. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/16 "2012-02-14T21:43:04Z")
But didn’t the “Native” Americans come from Asia? So aren’t they really Asian Americans? ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/17 "2012-02-14T21:48:56Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > But didn’t the “Native” Americans come from Asia? So aren’t they really Asian Americans? Yes, in the same way as we all came from Africa, so everyone in the U.S. is an African American. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/18 "2012-02-14T22:10:56Z")
Ok, lemme see if I got this straight. All of us “U.S. Americans” are “African Americans” so are African Americans “African American African Americans”?\* \*Ok this is getting silly so I’ll stop. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/19 "2012-02-14T22:12:56Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > The word Indian is (imo) derogatory. It’s incorrect, and it was a mistake to begin with, and continuing to call Native Americans Indians is somewhat ignorant. Indians are from India. > [@](#): > > Over the years, the people whom these words are meant to represent have made their preference clear: the majority of American Indians/Native Americans believe it is acceptable to use either term, or both. From here: [American Indian versus Native American - A once-heated issue has sorted itself out](http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aihmterms.html). ---
**Author:** ![Zaccheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Zaccheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zaccheus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827/20 "2012-02-14T23:45:50Z")
I think “Injun” would be up there with spic, coon, etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injun-is-derogatory/612827.md?page=2)