# Is "Hebe" a racial slur? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 18, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098 "2012-09-18T19:32:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/21 "2012-09-18T20:40:57Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Yes, it’s a slur. You could call it a religious or ethnic slur instead of racial, but a slur it is. > > The person who used it knew what it meant, and so did the mods and many of the other people who read it. Seeing as this thread proves there are actual Jewish people who claim they don’t think it’s a slur, how, pray tell, did you determine this? I see nothing in the thread indicating that it’s supposed to be an insult. If you, say, talked to the poster via PM, told her it was a slur, and she refused to remove it, then I have no problem. But if you just banned her because she used a word you think is an insult but others clearly don’t, then I say you should reconsider. Heck, do we even know that the poster is not a Jewish person and thus exempt from it being an insult, apparently? One thing I like about this board is that you don’t make snap judgements. But, unless I don’t have all the information, it sure looks like you did here. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/22 "2012-09-18T20:44:28Z")
According to the ATMB thread, the mods had decided to ban Cynyc even before the “Hebe” thread went up. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/23 "2012-09-18T21:00:25Z")
But what does the “(sp)” stand for that **cynyc** used after the word “Hebes”? If that mystery can be solved then we can move on to Bigfoot. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/24 "2012-09-18T21:03:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Seeing as this thread proves there are actual Jewish people who claim they don’t think it’s a slur, how, pray tell, did you determine this? The dictionary doesn’t work by popular vote, **BigT**. And the OP is the only person who suggested it’s not a slur. Everyone else said it is a slur or that they were not personally familiar with the word. And it’s not clear to me if **Hari Seldon** meant it’s not a _racial_ slur or that it’s simply not a slur. If it’s the first, I’d say he’s technically correct and that it’s not racial. If it’s the second, see the dictionary cites posted by **Colibri**. And I would add that people who are uncomfortable with the word Jew probably wouldn’t pick “Hebe” as their second choice. You can argue about the OP’s intention, but there’s no argument to be had over what the word means. > [@Acsenray](#): > > According to the ATMB thread, the mods had decided to ban Cynyc even before the “Hebe” thread went up. I said we’d voted to ban her before her “Heil Twickster” thread. The “For the Hebes” thread was the last straw. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/25 "2012-09-18T21:04:32Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > But what does the “(sp)” stand for that **cynyc** used after the word “Hebes”? If that mystery can be solved then we can move on to Bigfoot. _Sephardim_. Everyone know those _Ashkenzim_ are posers. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/26 "2012-09-18T21:06:24Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Urban dictionary:](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hebe) > > > [@](#): > > > > Mel Gibson: Shut the fuck up you dumb fucking hebe. Hey, if Mel uses it, it can’t be derogatory. > [@Big T](#): > > Seeing as this thread proves there are actual Jewish people who claim they don’t think it’s a slur, how, pray tell, did you determine this? How “actual Jewish” are they? Only card-carrying Jews may opine on this topic. Which probably excludes me, though for what it’s worth I think “hebe” is derogatory, though in a rather old-fashioned and silly way. > [@Hari Seldon](#): > > In fact, there are some people who seem reluctant to use “Jew” as though that were a racial slur too. So what’s your point, Jew? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/27 "2012-09-18T21:06:30Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > But what does the “(sp)” stand for that **cynyc** used after the word “Hebes”? If that mystery can be solved then we can move on to Bigfoot. Spic? As in Hispanic? Happy New Year Hispanic Jews? Or maybe (spelling?) As in, I hope I speeled heebs corektlee. Now, BIGFOOT is Jewish!? Holy Flurking Schnit! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/28 "2012-09-18T22:54:29Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > But what does the “(sp)” stand for that **cynyc** used after the word “Hebes”? If that mystery can be solved then we can move on to Bigfoot. > [@SiXSwordS](#): > > Spic? As in Hispanic? Happy New Year Hispanic Jews? > > Or maybe (spelling?) As in, I hope I speeled heebs corektlee. > Now, BIGFOOT is Jewish!? Holy Flurking Schnit! Spelling. She wasn’t sure how to spell it. **SixSwords** got it in two. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/29 "2012-09-18T23:14:55Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Seeing as this thread proves there are actual Jewish people who claim they don’t think it’s a slur, how, pray tell, did you determine this? I see nothing in the thread indicating that it’s supposed to be an insult. Of course it’s a slur. Just because one person doesn’t think it is doesn’t mean it isn’t. I mean if there’s a random black person who for some reason thinks “nigger” isn’t a slur, that doesn’t mean it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/30 "2012-09-18T23:27:39Z")
Yes its a slur, but I always thought it was spelled heeb. ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/31 "2012-09-18T23:53:19Z")
Be a bummer of a first name (e.g. Hebe de Bonafini). ---
**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:** [September 19, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/32 "2012-09-19T00:13:53Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Since it seems to me to be based off of “Hebrew,” I’d say it’s a religious slur. I’m Jewish and it’s always been a slur to me. It’s never used nicely. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/33 "2012-09-19T01:14:34Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Seeing as this thread proves there are actual Jewish people who claim they don’t think it’s a slur, how, pray tell, did you determine this? It’s extremely simple. Consult a dictionary, like the links I posted above. The word is unquestionably a slur and usually used insultingly. > [@](#): > > Heck, do we even know that the poster is not a Jewish person and thus exempt from it being an insult, apparently? While it’s _possible_ that one Jewish person might use it to friend in a jocular fashion (although I have never heard any of my Jewish friends use it themselves in any way), **cynyc** posted it to the board as a whole. This was not some private joke between close friends. Most of our members are non-Jewish, and even if a few Jews like the OP don’t find it offensive others might. Even if it were intended as a joke, it showed extremely poor judgement. > [@](#): > > But, unless I don’t have all the information, it sure looks like you did here. **BigT** , you can assume you _never_ have all the information.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/34 "2012-09-19T01:29:15Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Hebe to me is a word like fag or nigger. Ok for members of the group to use among themselves, but usually a horrid insult when coming from people from outside. I would look askance at a non-Jew who called me “hebe” unless we were really tight friends; though I’ve heard worse it’s not at all nice. > > Basically the thread struck me as not exactly offensive but, coming from a person I don’t know? Presumptuous at best. > > ETA: its more of an ethnic slur than a racial slur, since as far as I know “jewish” is not a “race” that our culture agrees exists. Unlike the other two words though, I’ve never heard a Jewish person use it affectionately or make any attempt at “reclaiming” it. In fact, I’ve never heard it used as anything but a slur. Moreover, it’s the context a word is used in that counts. “Jew” is certainly not normally considered a slur, but I can guarantee you that were I to say to another poster “Fuck you, Jew!” the mods would take pretty swift action and would not treat that phrase any differently than “Fuck you, Kike!”(apologies to Marley, using the term to make point not to piss people off). ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/35 "2012-09-19T01:35:41Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I’d put it in the “not fucking wise or classy” category at the very least. Yes, this, thank you. Plus the thread was started by an uber-troll who was uber-trolling again. Do we need to discuss every banning, or the dumb thread(s) leading up to it, ever? If you’d like to pretend this is a “When it’s okay to use certain sluts thread,” stop pretending now, because it’s an old discussion that’s been had before. Dude was trolling, was banned, huzzah. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/36 "2012-09-19T02:19:02Z")
As its been pointed out, it fits the definition of a slur. However, I can’t imagine being upset by being someone using it against me. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/37 "2012-09-19T02:43:25Z")
Whoa, whoa… It’s always okay to use sluts, but I meant when it’s okay to use slurs\* in case anyone is wondering. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/38 "2012-09-19T03:08:52Z")
What about Heeb? [Heeb: The New Jew Review](http://heebmagazine.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/39 "2012-09-19T03:29:33Z")
I’m getting the heebie-jeebies. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098/40 "2012-09-19T04:27:37Z")
Mods, I have another and different issue to pick about this (and other) banishments, not revolving around the actual merits or the banning itself, but regarding the habit of issuing a _warning_ and then banning without further notice. I’ve started a separate ATMB thread with this question, here: > **[Mods banning people when they seem to have offered another chance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=665949)** > > Re: The recent banning of cynyc http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15501306&postcount=2 I have a different bone to pick here, not related to the question of what is or isn’t a slur, or to the actual merits of this or any other... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hebe-a-racial-slur/635098.md?page=3)