# When did "wetback" become a slur?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 14, 2012, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730 "2012-03-14T11:25:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730/21 "2012-03-14T17:45:00Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#):
>
> Exactly. There are usually two moments in the story of a slur: when it becomes offensive to the person so referred (even if mildly so), and when the people using the word realize and/or care that they have been being offensive.
>
> For many slurs, including this one, the first moment occurred the first time it was used (to refer to people who cross into the US without proper documents, typically by swimming across the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. I agree that any earlier use referring to sweaty hard work is not part if this story).
>
> Note that we shouldn’t “blame” the objects of this slur for taking offense before the larger society realized it was not a nice thing to say. Any reasoned examination of the term itself makes it obvious that it was meant to poke fun (or worse) at the act of undocumented entry, even if early users of the term, for reasons deeply embedded in the ethos of their time, were unable to take the next step and say to themselves, “ge, maybe I shouldn’t SAY it, then!”
Don’t forget that third moment when Democrats realize that they can intimidate/marginalize their opponents or rally their allies.
Would you all agree that if used only as a descriptive nickname to apply to those who did in fact get wet when they came over illegally that would be ok?
It’s kind of bad when applied to illegals who didn’t get wet and it’s very bad when applied to any and all Hispanics.
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### Author:  [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730/22 "2012-03-14T18:05:50Z")
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> Democrats realize that they can intimidate/marginalize their opponents or rally their allies.
This might happen occasionally, but usually it’s just a matter of people (whatever their political leaning) pointing out to other people that they probably shouldn’t use a work they’ve been using. If the proportion of the latter type of person skews Republican, don’t blame any Democrats (nor, to be fair, don’t blame the Republicans who DON’T act in this way…but there comes a point when a Republican has to decide how much longer they want to be associated with a particular group).
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> Would you all agree that if used only as a descriptive nickname to apply to those who did in fact get wet when they came over illegally that would be ok?
No, of course not. If you happen to be standing next to someone who just at that moment emerged from the Rio Grande dripping wet, and they towel themselves off but neglect to dry off their back, I guess there’s no harm in saying, “Your back is wet.” Is that what you mean?
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> It’s kind of bad when applied to illegals who didn’t get wet and it’s very bad when applied to any and all Hispanics.
Well, you’re mixing things up here, but some of what you’re saying makes sense to me. It’s true we must be careful to not assume that all Hispanics in the US are here illegally. BUT it’s even more important that we not give a rat’s ass one way or the other. (There’s a parallel with those polls which show that whatever pecentage of people “think Obama is a Muslim”. The bigger issue shouls be, AND WHY WOULD IT MATTER IF HE WERE? We could call this the \*“not that there’s anything wrong with that” \*situation.)
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730/23 "2012-03-14T18:09:27Z")
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> Don’t forget that third moment when Democrats realize that they can intimidate/marginalize their opponents or rally their allies.
What the …!!!
> [@](#):
>
> Would you all agree that if used only as a descriptive nickname to apply to those who did in fact get wet when they came over illegally that would be ok?
Why don’t you stick to using descriptive nicknames for yourself? I’d be okay with that.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730/24 "2012-03-14T18:12:00Z")
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> Don’t forget that third moment when Democrats realize that they can intimidate/marginalize their opponents or rally their allies.
[Moderator Warning]
**What the …!!!** , you’ve been around long enough to know that political jabs are not permitted in General Questions. This is an official warning. Don’t do this again.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-wetback-become-a-slur/615730/25 "2012-03-14T18:16:35Z")
I think the factual aspects of this question have been adequately answered. Since the OP seems to be more interested in political aspects of this topic, I’m going to close this and invite anyone interested to start a new thread in Great Debates.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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