# Liberals, Progressives, or Democrats, can we get over 'The Democrat Party?' **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 24, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186 "2014-05-24T16:00:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![C6541](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90db22/32.png) [@C6541](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C6541)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/281 "2014-06-08T20:12:36Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Can you help me understand _how/why_ it’s a slur? I don’t see it. What is the slur? What negative picture is trying to be painted by the omission of the “ic”? Should republicans be insulted if the left started referring to the Republic Party? The omission of -ic from the Democratic label removes the label’s connotation of sounding like _Democracy_. Thus it is done in a deliberate manner to obfuscate the connection between the party and the label. Things don’t necessarily have to be offensive on their face, for example pro-life isn’t offensive on itself but by implication it makes it sound like anyone who is not pro-life is pro-death or anti-life. As I’ve said though I don’t find it particularly offensive myself, particularly since politics is never exactly a clean argument. No doubt for every Democrat Party thrown around there are equal parts Republicon, etc. thrown around. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/282 "2014-06-09T01:06:55Z")
> [@C6541](#): > > The omission of -ic from the Democratic label removes the label’s connotation of sounding like _Democracy_. Thus it is done in a deliberate manner to obfuscate the connection between the party and the label. I just don’t see how Democrat sounds less like Democracy than Democratic. > [@C6541](#): > > Things don’t necessarily have to be offensive on their face, for example pro-life isn’t offensive on itself but by implication it makes it sound like anyone who is not pro-life is pro-death or anti-life. I think this is something entirely different. Groups choose labels that make their side sound the best. Pro-choice is a good one. > [@C6541](#): > > As I’ve said though I don’t find it particularly offensive myself, particularly since politics is never exactly a clean argument. No doubt for every Democrat Party thrown around there are equal parts Republicon, etc. thrown around. YMMV Again, I don’t think this is quite the same. When it is done intentionally, to deliver a dig, than yes. But my guess is that the most of the times it is used by the public writ large it’s due to either laziness or ignorance. Anyway, it’s not something I use, except maybe inadvertently due to laziness. But I was really unaware that some people find it so offensive. I think the offense it absolutely infantile. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/283 "2014-06-09T01:08:30Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Because it’s meant as a slur. There’s nothing about the word (like most slurs), but it’s used as a slur, admittedly, in many cases. > > If it were meant as a slur, then yes. > > It’s not a huge deal. It’s annoying and childish, usually deliberately so. So it deserves to be challenged and mocked, in my opinion. That’s ridiculous. It’s either a slur or it isn’t. If I were to use to be insulting, I have no idea what the insult I intend would be. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/284 "2014-06-09T01:23:21Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > That’s ridiculous. It’s either a slur or it isn’t. If I were to use to be insulting, I have no idea what the insult I intend would be. Nonsense. Things are or are not slurs based on cultural context. Why is “Chinaman” a slur but “Englishman” isn’t? Because of history and culture, not because of anything inherent in the words themselves. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/285 "2014-06-09T01:24:00Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > That’s ridiculous. It’s either a slur or it isn’t. If I were to use to be insulting, I have no idea what the insult I intend would be. There are some words that are considered offensive, sometimes in certain contexts, and some of them are not common knowledge. For example, the term tranny. It is considered a slur for transexual people to many people in the trans community. However, some people don’t know this. Actress Gabourey Sidibe (she of ‘Precious’ fame) used the term on the Arsenio Hall Show and was taken to task for it. RuPaul (of drag queen fame) also received criticism for using the term. This may sound the same except for what happened next. Sidibe [made a sincere apology](http://elixher.com/gabourey-sidibe-apologizes-for-using-transphobic-slur-on-arsenio-hall-show/) for using the term, pleading ignorance to it’s use as a slur, and said she wouldn’t use it again. Whereas [RuPaul said “I love the word”](http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/05/22/rupaul-i-love-word-tranny) and made excuses and continued to use the term. Both of them were ignorant, but one of them learned from that experience and never used the term again. The other, not so much. It someone uses the term ‘Democrat Party’ and is shown that it is considered a slight and they stop using the term, nobody will much care. But if the response is like some in this thread, only at that point and when they continue to use the term will they acting like a dick. Ignorance is not a sin. Willful ignorance, at least in this forum (especially in this forum) should be. ---
**Author:** ![C6541](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90db22/32.png) [@C6541](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C6541)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/286 "2014-06-09T01:58:10Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I just don’t see how Democrat sounds less like Democracy than Democratic. I think you’re misunderstanding me, I personally don’t find it offensive (read my other post), but from what I was reading about the origins of the slur that was the reason given. Also it can be absolutely used as a slur and just because you don’t see why it could be offensive doesn’t make it less so. > [@magellan01](#): > > I think this is something entirely different. Groups choose labels that make their side sound the best. Pro-choice is a good one. I was just remarking that by choosing that they make the other side implicitly sound bad, but it was more of an offtopic comment and I digress. > [@magellan01](#): > > Again, I don’t think this is quite the same. When it is done intentionally, to deliver a dig, than yes. But my guess is that the most of the times it is used by the public writ large it’s due to either laziness or ignorance. I was contrasting Democrat and Republicon when they are used explicitly to be an insult. However I would have to agree that generally Democrat is used out of laziness for more often than as a slur, however ignorance isn’t an excuse. > [@magellan01](#): > > Anyway, it’s not something I use, except maybe inadvertently due to laziness. But I was really unaware that some people find it so offensive. I think the offense it absolutely infantile. Likewise see above. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/287 "2014-06-09T02:13:19Z")
FFS, you’ve got me agreeing with **magellan01**! And why hasn’t this thread died? I’m right, and if you disagree with me you are wrong. That’s all there is to it, in this or any other thread. 😛 > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Offensive? Nah. Stupid? Yes. It’s a low-level irritant reminding me that users of the term are jackasses, which I already know. > > No biggie. This. Whatever its intent, it’s only offensive if you let it be. It’s not a culturally-loaded word like “nigger.” It’s not even “negro,” which suddenly but fairly generally became inappropriate around 1967, because its offensiveness is only known to a minority. It’s a mild irritant that lets you know you are talking to a jackass. ---
**Author:** ![C6541](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90db22/32.png) [@C6541](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C6541)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/288 "2014-06-09T02:17:40Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > This. Whatever its intent, it’s only offensive if you let it be. It’s not a culturally-loaded word like “nigger.” It’s not even “negro,” which suddenly but fairly generally became inappropriate around 1967, because its offensiveness is only known to a minority. **It’s a mild irritant that lets you know you are talking to a jackass.** Bingo 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/289 "2014-06-09T02:26:55Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > It’s a mild irritant that lets you know you are talking to a jackass. I haven’t seen too many people saying anything else. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/290 "2014-06-09T11:24:08Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > That’s ridiculous. It’s either a slur or it isn’t. If I were to use to be insulting, I have no idea what the insult I intend would be. It’s a slur when used in a certain way. Just like ‘boy’ is a slur when used in a certain way, but not in others. Or ‘coon’, ‘nip’, ‘towel-head’, etc. ‘Democrat party’ isn’t nearly as bad a slur as those others, but it’s still a slur. Again, this is not a huge deal. It’s an annoyance and a marker that the user is a jackass, and that’s about it. A minor slur, but a slur nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/291 "2014-06-09T14:20:10Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s a slur when used in a certain way. Just like ‘boy’ is a slur when used in a certain way, but not in others. Or ‘coon’, ‘nip’, ‘towel-head’, etc. > > ‘Democrat party’ isn’t nearly as bad a slur as those others, but it’s still a slur. > > Again, this is not a huge deal. It’s an annoyance and a marker that the user is a jackass, and that’s about it. A minor slur, but a slur nonetheless. Perhaps you could provide a list of all the words you object to so that it could be compared to all of the other lists of words that others object to. The lists could then be used to create the All Encompassing Politically Correct Dictionary that would be a moral guide to speakers everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/292 "2014-06-09T15:44:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Perhaps you could provide a list of all the words you object to so that it could be compared to all of the other lists of words that others object to. The lists could then be used to create the All Encompassing Politically Correct Dictionary that would be a moral guide to speakers everywhere. What point do you imagine you are making? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/293 "2014-06-09T15:45:57Z")
Or how about you put your big boy pants on, say whatever you want, but when shown that something you said is considered offensive or rude or a slight by someone who can also point out that they are not alone in feeling that to do something obviously revolutionary: Apologize and not use the term again. Is that so complicated and an unnecessarily massive affront to your ability to communicate? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/294 "2014-06-09T15:50:27Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Perhaps you could provide a list of all the words you object to so that it could be compared to all of the other lists of words that others object to. The lists could then be used to create the All Encompassing Politically Correct Dictionary that would be a moral guide to speakers everywhere. No, I prefer to go on a case-by-case basis. When someone uses an epithet, I’ll engage and educate in real time (if it’s appropriate). If they continue to use it, then mockery/criticism may be appropriate. Others may have different approaches, which is fine. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/295 "2014-06-09T16:04:12Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > What point do you imagine you are making? That a list of unacceptable words would make communications faster and more user-friendly. A list of acceptable words could be used later, after the list of unacceptable words becomes larger and unwieldy. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/296 "2014-06-09T17:44:16Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s a slur when used in a certain way. Just like ‘boy’ is a slur when used in a certain way, but not in others. Or ‘coon’, ‘nip’, ‘towel-head’, etc. But if someone uses those terms, the intent is clear. The insulting picture they are trying to paint is clear. If you were Black or Japanese or Arab and I used one of those words, you and everyone else would understand how I am trying to slur/insult you. Not so with “Democrat Party”. This is a perfect case of people desperately looking to be offended. Like I said, it’s infantile. It reminds me of two toddlers in the back seat of a car and one of them whining to my and dad, “He’s looking at me!!!” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/297 "2014-06-09T17:50:14Z")
Those who \*use \*it are either being infantile about wanting to \*be \*offensive, or are simply ignorant. You shouldn’t wish to defend either one. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/298 "2014-06-09T17:57:39Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But if someone uses those terms, the intent is clear. The insulting picture they are trying to paint is clear. If you were Black or Japanese or Arab and I used one of those words, you and everyone else would understand how I am trying to slur/insult you. Not so with “Democrat Party”. No, it’s pretty clear when someone uses “Democrat Party”, “Democrat President”, or “Democrat policy” as a slur. Not a particularly big deal, but a pretty clear (minor) slur/epithet. > [@](#): > > This is a perfect case of people desperately looking to be offended. Like I said, it’s infantile. It reminds me of two toddlers in the back seat of a car and one of them whining to my and dad, “He’s looking at me!!!” One side’s acting infantile, sure. The other side is just calling out the infantile behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/299 "2014-06-09T18:05:43Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But if someone uses those terms, the intent is clear. The insulting picture they are trying to paint is clear. If you were Black or Japanese or Arab and I used one of those words, you and everyone else would understand how I am trying to slur/insult you. Not so with “Democrat Party”. > > This is a perfect case of people desperately looking to be offended. Like I said, it’s infantile. It reminds me of two toddlers in the back seat of a car and one of them whining to my and dad, “He’s looking at me!!!” “Midget” and “retarded” don’t necessarily have to be intended as slurs, yet they are. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186/300 "2014-06-09T19:09:00Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > This is a perfect case of people desperately looking to be offended. If someone deliberately mispronounces your name after being told its correct pronunciation, it’s pretty clear they’re intending to be obnoxious. If you don’t know the correct name of the Democratic Party then you’re either so ignorant of American politics that your opinion is worthless OR you’re a passive-aggressive tool who is using the wrong name on purpose to be obnoxious. I think “slur” is probably the wrong word to use in this case. “Democrat Party” is just childish and rude. Of course, Republicans don’t like to be called “childish and rude”, so they usually pretend that they’re ignorant instead: “Keeping nouns and adjectives straight is HARD! It’s really unfair to ask us to remember which is which!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-progressives-or-democrats-can-we-get-over-the-democrat-party/689186.md?page=16)