# Proposed: No Toleration of any Slur Words in Pit Titles **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 7, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641 "2010-03-07T19:10:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/41 "2010-03-08T19:05:18Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Just a small nitpick: for most of those who know or use the word “Yankee”, it has nothing to do with whether you come from north or south of the Mason-Dixon Line – for them, every one from the United States is a “Yankee”. So you Confederate rebels will just have to live with being known by the Y word. Born in NH, I always considered a “Yankee” to be one of those people in NY who didn’t know to root for the Red Sox. When I went to school in SC - I found I was a Yankee, a very disturbing development. My southern roommate thought it was hilarious and taunted me until she met someone from England and found out she was too. Of course, technically, to really nitpick, the term “Yankee” comes from a derivative of “Jan/John Cheese” - a derogatory term used by the Brits to pick on Dutch immigrants that had come to America to settle. So really, Yankees are Dutch! ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/42 "2010-03-08T19:38:38Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Born in NH, I always considered a “Yankee” to be one of those people in NY who didn’t know to root for the Red Sox. > > When I went to school in SC - I found I was a Yankee, a very disturbing development. As a life-long Yankees fan from NJ, I was pleased as punch when I moved down here to NC and kept hearing people refer to me as “Yankee.” The more Yankees, the better! ---
**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:** [March 8, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/43 "2010-03-08T19:42:48Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > …Unless you’re suggesting most people who know or use the term are not Americans. Yes, indeed. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/44 "2010-03-08T19:59:46Z")
Yanks and Yankees are used to refer to USA-ers by many furriners. Damn Yankees is used by Southers to indicate them there Norther people. Damn Yankee Texans are what residents of Dallas are to all the other REAL Texans. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/45 "2010-03-09T01:20:25Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Of course, technically, to really nitpick, the term “Yankee” comes from a derivative of “Jan/John Cheese” - a derogatory term used by the Brits to pick on Dutch immigrants that had come to America to settle. > > So really, Yankees are Dutch! Trust me, you really, really don’t want to go there. While it’s possible, I’ll give you it’s almost certainly from the Dutch deminuitive of John/Jan/etc. Leave out the cheese part. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/46 "2010-03-09T02:07:53Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Yanks and Yankees are used to refer to USA-ers by many furriners. > > Damn Yankees is used by Southers to indicate them there Norther people. Damn Yankee Texans are what residents of Dallas are to all the other REAL Texans. If you’re from New England, then a Yankee is one of the traditional rural folks of the region. If you’re from the northern US, then all people from New England are Yankees. If you’re from the southern US, then all people from the northern US are Yankees. I you’re from outside the US, then all Americans are Yankees. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/47 "2010-03-09T02:13:55Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > So you Confederate rebels will just have to live with being known by the Y word. I’ve never met a Brit that called me a yankee more than once. That gets corrected immediately, and usually an apology follows forthwith. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/48 "2010-03-09T04:42:05Z")
> [@](#): > > **melodyharmonius** : When I went to school in SC… Gasp! First they let in Rhode Island, and I told them what would happen. Sure 'nuf. I mean just look at the user name. It practically just spells it out for us: **harm on us**. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/49 "2010-03-09T06:02:31Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I for one applaud the OP: this whole “BBQ Pit” forum has allowed inter-poster rudeness for far too long. I say we adopt a “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” policy, … The irony, it burns! _Ze goggle, dey do nuttink!_ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/50 "2010-03-09T06:04:21Z")
Note that there have been in the past- requests that no NSFW words be in PIT titles. I agree with this. I don’t know if it should be a _rule_, however. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/51 "2010-03-09T06:27:51Z")
I’ll extend my support to the OP. Thread titles should be kept squeeky clean for work-related reasons. Unacceptable titles should be subject to automatic mod edit. I like automatic mod edit. Poster X: What the #%\*&^)! is your problem? Gosh Darn People from the Northeastern US! Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Those who are more than pleasingly plump! Esurance is a bunch of gosh darn people without a strong sense of boundaries! I pit Senator Bunning for shortening the actuarial lifespan of senior citizens! Possibly ill-advised “Keep America Safe” group attacks DOJ attorneys! ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/52 "2010-03-09T07:08:38Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’ll extend my support to the OP. Thread titles should be kept squeeky clean for work-related reasons. Unacceptable titles should be subject to automatic mod edit. I like automatic mod edit. I think you are on the right track, but really your suggestions are still way too strong. For example: > [@](#): > > Poster X: What the #%\*&^)! is your problem? Okay, now everyone knows what #%\*&^ means…it’s been used for years and thus is just as offensive as the \ eff-word \. And “your problem” well that is just downright insulting. It really should read: Poster X: what the heckie-doodles is the matter? > [@](#): > > Gosh Darn People from the Northeastern US! Really? People? No, no…let’s change that to: Gosh darn animated lifeforms from the Northeastern US. (see how much better that flows?) > [@](#): > > Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Those who are more than pleasingly plump! This one made me giggle, so I think it’s good. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Esurance is a bunch of gosh darn people without a strong sense of boundaries! “people” again: Esurance is a bunch of gosh darn animated lifeforms… > [@](#): > > I pit Senator Bunning for shortening the actuarial lifespan of senior citizens! > > Possibly ill-advised “Keep America Safe” group attacks DOJ attorneys! More giggles. That means these are both good or I need to get some sleep, either way, good job! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/53 "2010-03-09T22:23:30Z")
_Regarding “Damn Yankees”_ Correct me if I’m wrong, but my impression is that there is truth to the joke about Yankees versus Damn Yankees. A Yankee is a Northerner who merely comes to the South. A **Damn** Yankee is one who settles in! 😃 * * * The humor in this thread has been great, and more than makes up for the even greater panning than I expected. Just in case anyone has wondered whether I’ve **completely** lost it, I _did_ wonder about the problem of slur-free wording in thread titles in connection with the practical benefit of descriptive thread titles. Thanks to everyone who has participated. 🙂 _ **- Odd Og** _ ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/54 "2010-03-10T03:00:26Z")
> [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > _Regarding “Damn Yankees”_ > > Correct me if I’m wrong, but my impression is that there is truth to the joke about Yankees versus Damn Yankees. > > A Yankee is a Northerner who merely comes to the South. > > A **Damn** Yankee is one who settles in! > > 😃 > > _ **- Odd Og** _ I’m the worst kind. I moved south - and my brothers married 2 of yer women folks. And I’m rollin’ in the hay with one of yer good ole boys! Course, I heard similar explanatory nicknames for those who relocate to Maine: A \*\*Mainer \*\*is someone who loves Maine so much, they stay the _first_ winter. And then there’s your **Maniacs**. . . ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/55 "2010-03-11T14:17:22Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > I would also like to propose that the following words be disallowed from Pit titles: “obese”, “plump”, “bloated”, “zaftig”, “fluffy”, and “Jabba”. Zaftig is a wonderful word. I wish there was a word like that for men. I’d use it. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/56 "2010-03-11T14:24:31Z")
Wait. People call obese folks _fatties_? I thought fatties were plump cannabis cigs. I need to get with the times, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/57 "2010-03-11T15:00:38Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:55, topic:531641”] Zaftig is a wonderful word. I wish there was a word like that for men. I’d use it. [/QUOTE] Hmm - Wombat strong like bull. Zaftig too. _ja_. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/58 "2010-03-11T15:47:04Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:55, topic:531641”] Zaftig is a wonderful word. I wish there was a word like that for men. I’d use it. [/QUOTE] Well I’d always used the word ‘zaftig’ to refer to women who are shapely. But I suppose in common usage, zaftig, curvy, buxom and shapely all mean fat now. Is there even a word anymore that refers to women with hourglass figures who aren’t fat? ---
**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:** [March 11, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/59 "2010-03-11T15:55:30Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Is there even a word anymore that refers to women with hourglass figures who aren’t fat? Yummy? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-no-toleration-of-any-slur-words-in-pit-titles/531641/60 "2010-03-11T16:16:37Z")
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