# TIME Magazine: French people are "Frogs"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [September 22, 2008, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751 "2008-09-22T22:47:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/1 "2008-09-22T22:47:48Z")
Apparently, racial epithets are okay for TIME editors to use:
[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1843168,00.html](http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1843168,00.html)
I know it’s been even more fashionable since the Iraq War to have a weird hate on for France, but it is really necessary now for editors at large newsmagazines to use ethnic slurs?
Do you think it would be okay if I wrote an article about how the “Chinks” own a lot of US debt, or how the “Micks” have created a successful economy? Don’t fucking think so. I wonder how Mr. Saporito would like it if I called him a fucking wop, or a greasy dago. I’m guessing not much.
---
### Author:  [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/2 "2008-09-22T22:58:46Z")
Wow…
They can’t really claim ignorance, can they? I remember back during ski team tryouts in eighth or ninth grade and one of my friends called a french Canadian a frog and our teacher raised holy hell. The teacher even threatened to shut down the ski team. Isn’t it reasonably common knowledge that it’s derogatory?
---
### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/3 "2008-09-22T23:00:09Z")
It is not the French now, \*\*we \*\*surrender..
Dang, I thought you were kidding, but there it is:
> [@](#):
>
> You just know the Frogs have only increased their disdain for us, if that is indeed possible. And why shouldn’t they? The average American is working two and half jobs, gets two weeks off, and has all the employment security of a one-armed trapeze artist. The Bush Administration has preached the “ownership society” to America: own your house, own your retirement account; you don’t need the government in your way. So Americans mortgaged themselves to the hilt to buy overpriced houses they can no longer afford and signed up for 401k programs that put money where, exactly? In the stock market! Where rich Republicans fleeced them.
---
### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/4 "2008-09-22T23:02:47Z")
Of course, the article is using it ironically, that the US gov’t is adopting the methods of the “Frogs” it professes to disdain.
Whether or not that context mitigates it, I don’t know. Is “frog” really that offensive? Is it the French version of “nigger” or of “limey”? (I’m assuming the British don’t get all worked up by “limey”.)
---
### Author:  [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/5 "2008-09-22T23:06:10Z")
It’s tongue in cheek. He’s not being entirely serious here. I mean, the essay also contains the lines,
"Italy? Sure, it’s had four governments since last Thursday, but none of them would have allowed this to go on; the Italians know how to rig an economy. "
and
“. And one more thing: the food snob French love McDonalds, which does a fantastic business there. They know a good freedom fry when they taste one.”
I think some people are being a bit too sensitive here.
---
### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/6 "2008-09-22T23:09:21Z")
Is Mick really offensive? The only people I’ve ever heard use it are Irish. I always thought it just referenced that a lot of their surnames start with Mc. A pretty neutral descriptor.
---
### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/7 "2008-09-22T23:10:31Z")
I’m not seeing anything wrong with the piece. It’s obviously used ironically.
---
### Author:  [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/8 "2008-09-22T23:12:03Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> Is Mick really offensive? The only people I’ve ever heard use it are Irish. I always thought it just referenced that a lot of their surnames start with Mc. A pretty neutral descriptor.
I’ve only ever heard this from Americans. I thought it was that Michael/Mick is a very common name here, like Paddy.
---
### Author:  [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/9 "2008-09-22T23:15:42Z")
‘Frog’ isn’t all that strong as far as racial slurs go–I’ve known French Canadians who collected frogs. It falls much closer to a childhood taunt. Still, it can be offensive, and I don’t know that it’s really appropriate for a TIME article.
---
### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/10 "2008-09-22T23:32:19Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#):
>
> I’ve only ever heard this from Americans. I thought it was that Michael/Mick is a very common name here, like Paddy.
You’ve only heard it considered offensive from Americans or you’ve only heard it at all from Americans?
---
### Author:  [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/11 "2008-09-22T23:36:55Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> It is not the French now, \*\*we \*\*surrender..
>
> Dang, I thought you were kidding, but there it is:
It could have been worse. At least they capitalized it.
---
### Author:  [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/12 "2008-09-22T23:37:23Z")
Maybe it’s a new editorial policy to attract readers.
“The Wetback Crisis: Greasers in Our Midst?”
“Kraut Industrial Conglomerate Signs Oil Deal with Russki Government.”
“Tensions Ease Between Yids and Ragheads.”
“Leaded Paint in Toys Traced to Heathen Chinee.”
---
### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/13 "2008-09-22T23:39:19Z")
Russki means Russian.
---
### Author:  [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/14 "2008-09-22T23:46:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> Is Mick really offensive? The only people I’ve ever heard use it are Irish. I always thought it just referenced that a lot of their surnames start with Mc. A pretty neutral descriptor.
Well it’s better than Paddy, but sadly “Irish” itself can be used as a derogatory term when applied like “Irish Confetti” for bricks or “Irish Twins” for two children born to the same parents less than 12 months apart.
---
### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/15 "2008-09-22T23:52:41Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> “Irish” itself can be used as a derogatory term when applied like “Irish Confetti” for bricks or “Irish Twins” for two children born to the same parents less than 12 months apart.
What?? I always thought Irish twins was funny! I got it from my grandma, who is Irish. Are people _really_ offended by some of this stuff or are the ultra-PC types just offended on their behalf?
(Some are legit for sure; I’ve known French and French Canadians who are **very** offended by “frog”.)
---
### Author:  [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/16 "2008-09-22T23:54:31Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> Russki means Russian.
Are you questioning my slur, you… um (what is your ethnicity? Help me out here).
Anyway, it may be a transliteration of “Russian,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be used in a derogatory sense. I was initially going to use “Polack,” but I don’t think they have any oil. I strive for plausibility in my bigoted tirades when possible.
But maybe you’re right, and I’ve lost the ability to recognize a proper ethnic slur. Perhaps I’ve been avoiding my family for too long. I really ought to visit more often.
---
### Author:  [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/17 "2008-09-22T23:56:50Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> You’ve only heard it considered offensive from Americans or you’ve only heard it at all from Americans?
Only heard it from Americans. I jokingly call my brother a “spud-eating mick” in a cod-NY accent though.
---
### Author:  [@hopesperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hopesperson)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/18 "2008-09-22T23:57:09Z")
Is French even a “race”?
---
### Author:  [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/19 "2008-09-22T23:59:00Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> What?? I always thought Irish twins was funny! I got it from my grandma, who is Irish. Are people _really_ offended by some of this stuff or are the ultra-PC types just offended on their behalf?
>
> (Some are legit for sure; I’ve known French and French Canadians who are **very** offended by “frog”.)
Perhaps Irish-Americans are tetchy about this but for obvious historical reasons Irish stereotypes only bother me when uttered by ill-meaning Brits.
---
### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751/20 "2008-09-22T23:59:15Z")
> [@Cisco](#):
>
> (Some are legit for sure; I’ve known … French Canadians who are **very** offended by “frog”.)
And of course they should be! They are Canucks.
Re the “Irish twins” thing: my first sister and I, after all these decades, still like playing with the twins concept during the three weeks every year that we are both the same age. (Nitpickers need not apply. :p)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-magazine-french-people-are-frogs/464751.md?page=2)