Not if they’re in Jewish Penicillin! I mean, that’s kindof the point, isn’t it? 
;j
LOL ok…although i have family members that are jews, i had never heard such a reference before. Therefore i didnt put it in any “used by grandmothers for eons” context.Well thats why i asked the question.
There of course is nothing wrong with identifying coffee and whiskey with the Irish, since it is called “Irish Coffee”. I also doubt if the Dutch mind being associated with two people paying their own way. However, the Chinese Fire Drill is not quite so inoffensive. And it isn’t fake either.
That post about the origin of the term “Chinese Fire Drill” is just so much hogwash. It doesn’t go back to the early 1900’s. The person who posted that entry was merely relating what he/she had “heard.”
If you want the real straightdope, read http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19961008
BTW, whoever said that chicken soup has some actual penicillin in it is mistaken. The idea is just that it acts like penicillin because Mom or Grandma says it helps make you get better. I believe some research was actually done showing that chicken broth did have some substance in it (but not an antibiotic) that helped boost the body’s germ-fighting ability. Plus the warm liquid helps break up congestion. And liquids in general are good for you when you have a respiratory infection. As someone said earlier, “It couldn’t hurt.”
well…it’s right in there with buicks being called jewish cadillacs.
i doubt if jewish people care…and for that matter how about
cash registers being called jewish pianos? and the jewish national
anthem being “what a friend we have in jesus”…they only sing it
at xmas time. how about the polish parchute which opens on
impact? don’t be so sensitive!
bugs. The examples you just gave are totally different in tone and meaning to the OP “Jewish penecillin.” If you don’t see that, then I suggest it may be an age problem.
The term “Jewish penecillin,” as shown in all the posts and explanations, is not derogatory.
Your stereotypes all are. Do you not get the difference?
The first time I ever heard the term, I heard it from a Jewish chef in a praising manner (upon my buying some of her Jewish penicillin when I was a tad stuffy).
Granted, but the following occured to me as I was reading through this thread…I would never publicly say “Black people sure are great dancers.”
Also not derogatory, yet I’m sure I’d get the Hairy Eyebrow if I said it to an Af-Am buddy.
You wouldn’t use that phrase because you think that your buddy would be offended. What your buddy thought is what’s important, evidently.
Uke. I think that the difference is, IMHO, using the phrase “Jewish penecillan” doesn’t conjure up a negative sterotypical image in most cases.
But I’ll wager that saying “Blacks sure can dance” is perceived by most “Af-Ams” as a put-down. And many whites who would say that would mean it in a negative, stereotypical way.
Friend is Irish. He once had this exchange with an SO (I don’t know if she was Jewish):
SO: Oh, you’re sick…Do you want me to make you some Jewish penicillin?
Friend: No thanks; I’ve already had some Irish penicillin (points to whiskey glass).
What if Laura Greene (the hostess) is Jewish herself?
That’s not exactly equivalent, I think: the equivalent would be saying, “Jews sure are great cooks!” except that that’s not a stereotype of Jews.
Saying, “Blacks sure are great dancers!” plays into the stereotype that black people are physically gifted – along with the more sinister stereotype that black people are intellectually impoverished. It plays into the stereotype that black people are good for entertainment. It plays into the stereotype that black people are more emotional and playful – but not as hard-working – as white people.
These are all real stereotypes of black people that cause a lot of harm. Despite the fact that black comedians will often play off these stereotypes, I think they’re worth avoiding – for black people as well as for white people. My humble opinion, natch.
However, if someone serves you some collard greens with ham hocks, alongside some fried catfish with hot vinegar sauce, and puts a wedge of griddle-baked corn bread on your plate, you may legitimately thank them for the soul food they’re giving you. Where I’m from, “soul food” generally refers to a style of cooking developed by Southern blacks, based on African cuisine. It’s not a style I much like (it’s not a particularly vegetarian-friendly cuisine, alas), but plenty of people, black and white (and presumably Asian and Latino and etc.) adore it. Referring to such a meal as “soul food” doesn’t, I think, play into any harmful stereotypes, any more than referring to chicken soup as “Jewish Penecillin” does.
Daniel