# Use of the word Cracker **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 23, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446 "2015-02-23T21:46:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/81 "2015-02-25T17:07:22Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Nope. There are significant differences that you are failing to recognize. I think you’re letting your personal interpretation of the term influence your assessment of the overall perjorative-ness of it. Overall I don’t have a big problem with how this has gone down, and see that regionally it could be interpreted differently. In another thread, someone took offense to the use of the word ‘dude’ as disrespectful. I use the term all the time, so to me, that’s not persuasive. But we can’t control how other people interpret what we say, but when they tell us the way we are speaking causes offense, we can control how we interact. If someone says that ‘dude’ is offensive I’m probably going to ignore it since I don’t agree. If someone says ‘cracker’ is offensive, I’m inclined to believe them and not use the term [I wouldn’t use it anyways]. The historical definition seems rather archaic to me - even in the wiki article linked it acknowledges the negative connotations. There are [other articles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_(pejorative)) on the negative aspects as well. I have never once heard the term to be used in the way BG states. 100% of the time it’s been used as a pejorative. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/82 "2015-02-25T17:26:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Seriously? You honestly think that “cracker” is the equivalent of “jap”? :dubious: About. Clearly it doesnt have the emotional power of “Nigger” or “Kike”, but it’s more pejorative than “Brit”. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/83 "2015-02-25T23:11:07Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > But we can’t control how other people interpret what we say, but when they tell us the way we are speaking causes offense, we can control how we interact. And had cracker been directed at another poster or if the poster taking offense had been included in the group being so named, that might well have changed my consideration of its use. However, when a resident of Florida uses a word to identify a specific group of Floridians in a way that they have embraced for 200 years, or so, I feel no compulsion to rule against its use because another poster from a totally different part of the country chooses to take offense, based on a separate meaning used in different contexts. Silly Billy Milli-ken decided that he did not think the word Michigander was sufficiently “respectful” (or something) of the citizens of Michigan, so he encouraged his Republican dominated legislature to officially change the identification of citizens of that state to the effete Michiganian. If someone from another part of the country reported the use of Michigander as an insulting term (as Lincoln used it on the floor of the House of Representatives), I would shrug off that report–even if former Governor Milliken was a poster, here, and considered it insulting. Words such as nigger and kike have a long history of insult that render them wholly unacceptable on the SDMB in any descriptive context. Words such as cracker, with its mixed history and acceptance, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/84 "2015-02-25T23:25:05Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > You’re using the word Jew as a noun in one instance and a verb in the other. I can’t imagine any instance where the use of the word Jew as a verb wouldn’t be offensive. It’s also offensive as a modifier, e.g., _Jew Lawyer_. If absolutely necessary, _Jewish_ should be used instead. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/85 "2015-02-25T23:51:50Z")
Again the SDMB continues it policy of:'If it’s a racial pejorative against \*white \*people, it’s OK." Cracker, white trash, Honky, whitey… ---
**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:** [February 26, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/86 "2015-02-26T00:00:27Z")
Well, speaking as a white man they don’t bother me. Is that good enough? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/87 "2015-02-26T00:07:46Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Well, speaking as a white man they don’t bother me. Is that good enough? No. Because we, as a monolithic group of Caucasians, must be horrified, upset and trotting out the ashes. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/88 "2015-02-26T00:09:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Again the SDMB continues it policy of:'If it’s a racial pejorative against \*white \*people, it’s OK." Cracker, white trash, Honky, whitey… Really? You have examples of honky or white trash being permitted in Great Debates? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/89 "2015-02-26T03:55:03Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Really? You have examples of honky or white trash being permitted in Great Debates? Too easy Tom.😛 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/90 "2015-02-26T04:15:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > About. Clearly it doesnt have the emotional power of “Nigger” or “Kike”, but it’s more pejorative than “Brit”. [Jap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap) You can’t be that clueless. Due to its history, it has taken on extremely negative conotations. Don’t like it? Too bad. And FWIW, I would definitely say that “greasy wop” is an ethnic slur. “Cracker” is not. Calling someone a “dumb polack”, or a “stupid dago” or those “crazy micks”. Slurs against white people tend to be more against specific ethnicities. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/91 "2015-02-26T04:16:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Too easy Tom.😛 > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330) > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082) > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346) Which of these is directed at another poster? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/92 "2015-02-26T04:42:21Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Which of these is directed at another poster? That wasn’t the question or the rules standards. Tom asked when they were permitted. And they’ve always been. In terms of consistency, they probably shouldn’t be–white trash, cracker and honky are clearly anti-white insults and a “no race-word” rule should cover them, but in terms of me actually caring, I pretty much don’t, very much. I mean, it’s fun to quibble here and all but that’s about it. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/93 "2015-02-26T04:45:23Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > No. Because we, as a monolithic group of Caucasians, must be horrified, upset and trotting out the ashes. Duh. I don’t have to rend my garments, do I? I’m a tough fit and my size is expensive. Will a simple shift made of sackcloth do? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/94 "2015-02-26T11:22:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Too easy Tom.😛 > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16786330&highlight=honky#post16786330) > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11364082&highlight=honky#post11364082) > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9692346&highlight=honky#post9692346) Oooh! If you go back seven years, you can find three entire examples where they got past the Moderators. And how many of them were reported? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/95 "2015-02-26T13:28:22Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Oooh! If you go back seven years, you can find three entire examples where they got past the Moderators. And how many of them were reported? Cool. So to be clear, you’re saying the terms “honky” and “white trash” are NOT permitted. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/96 "2015-02-26T14:58:38Z")
> [@camille](#): > > It’s also offensive as a modifier, e.g., _Jew Lawyer_. If absolutely necessary, _Jewish_ should be used instead. We prefer “attorney”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/97 "2015-02-26T16:01:55Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Is it OK to refer to groups of poor white southern people as “Crackers”? Mr. Glutton seems to think so, presumably based on the idea that some of the people in that group call themselves that. > > But, more than a few African Americans call themselves, and others, the N-word. Pretty sure calling groups of black people the N-word wouldn’t be allowed on this message board. > > Why the disparate treatment of the two terms on this message board? > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18155239&postcount=677](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18155239&postcount=677) While we’re at it, there’s affirmative action for black people. There’s affirmative action for women. How come there’s no affirmative action for white guys? It’s injustice I tells ya! ---
**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:** [February 26, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/98 "2015-02-26T17:47:48Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Did you start an ATMB thread? Because that certainly merited a warning. I was going to but this thread about pejoratives against white people was already here so I just added it here. Like I said I did report it and since Miller let it slide and no mod still posting in this thread has addressed it I’m just going to assume that calling other posters “wops” is cool on this board. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/99 "2015-02-26T18:06:06Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Which of these is directed at another poster? None. Look, even tho I disagree with the staff here and their definition of hate language (“it’s never hate language if it’s directed at white people”) I certainly admit to the diligence and zeal (perhaps too much zeal at times, even 😛 ) in quashing personal attacks. But let’s look at this line “_some people in this thread are arguing if he was a honky, he wouldn’t be in this mess_” and make it “some people in this thread are arguing if he was a _nigger_, he wouldn’t be in this mess”- does anyone think the Mods wouldn’t be down on the second post? (italics mine). Oddly the search function wont work for “white trash” it freezes up. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446/100 "2015-02-26T20:51:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Oddly the search function wont work for “white trash” it freezes up. [Psst.](https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&es_th=1&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=site:boards.straightdope.com+%22white+trash%22) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-cracker/713446.md?page=6)