# Why is calling Trump Supporters MAGAts allowed? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 31, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060 "2024-07-31T14:23:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/201 "2024-08-26T16:11:34Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Your first cite calls “MAGAt” derogatory slang. Your second cite calls it “offensive” and “derogatory” slang. The idea that it’s “dehumanizing” seems to be your own invention. All the cites I posted were specifically about MAGAt being a homophone of Maggot. Did I need to bold that part? If I need to explain to you why calling someone a “Maggot” is dehumanizing, I’m not sure this will be a productive conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/202 "2024-08-26T16:14:09Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > If I need to explain to you why calling someone a “Maggot” is dehumanizing, I’m not sure this will be a productive conversation. For realz. But I’ll let someone else try. > **[Dangerous Metaphors: How Dehumanizing Rhetoric Works - Dangerous Speech Project](https://dangerousspeech.org/dangerous-metaphors-how-dehumanizing-rhetoric-works/)** > > Dr. Anna Szilagyi describes how dehumanizing rhetoric – a key hallmark of Dangerous Speech – affects our thoughts and perceptions, making violence more acceptable. > [@](#): > > In recent times, with the global rise of populist and far-right political movements, a “family” of dehumanizing metaphors have become common worldwide. Indeed, terms that identify different groups of people as pests, deadly animals, reptiles, parasites, disease, filth, zombies, or demons, have been used more and more conveniently by powerful political actors in various parts of the world. > … > some white supremacists also utilized metaphors of disease and filth to describe blacks, Jews, and those who oppose their agenda. They argued, for instance, that they are fighting against the “parasitic class of anti-white vermin” and the “anti-white, anti-American filth”. > … > The Nazis and their collaborators, who systematically killed six million Jews in the Holocaust, identified their victims as “rats”, “parasites”, “vermin”, “lice”, “bacilli”, “contagion”, and “filth”. Or [https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/08/11/likening-people-bugs-political-weapon-is-dangerous/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/08/11/likening-people-bugs-political-weapon-is-dangerous/) > [@](#): > > The labeling of despised groups as either vermin-ridden or vermin themselves has persisted — with sometimes deadly consequences. During the Rwanda genocide in 1994, the Hutu branded the Tutsi as cockroaches, and 800,000 people were killed. More recently, during the 2016 Brexit debate in the United Kingdom, signs urged: “Leave the E. U. No more Polish vermin.” In recent years, an Israeli rabbi was heard urging about Palestinians: “What we should do is go into those vermin pits and take out the terrorists and murderers. Vermin pits, yes, I said, vermin, animals.” > > Likening groups of people to vermin is a deeply rooted practice of othering along lines of race, ethnicity or class, often used to demand and justify another group’s dominance. And being attentive to this language tells us far more about the people deploying it than those they seek to dehumanize. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/203 "2024-08-26T16:14:22Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Your first cite calls “MAGAt” derogatory slang. Your second cite calls it “offensive” and “derogatory” slang. The idea that it’s “dehumanizing” seems to be your own invention. > > All the cites I posted were specifically about MAGAt being a homophone of Maggot. Did I need to bold that part? Fine, let’s do it: > [@Babale](#): > > the term is a homophone of “maggot” > [@Babale](#): > > Origin & history > Blend of MAGA and maggot. > [@Babale](#): > > Blend of MAGA +‎ maggot. > [@Babale](#): > > Pronunciation > IPA(key): /ˈmæɡət/ > Audio (UK): > Duration: 2 seconds.0:02 (file) > Rhymes: -æɡət > Homophone: maggot Hope that helps! ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/204 "2024-08-26T16:23:28Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > For realz. But I’ll let someone else try. The preview to your article says: > [@](#): > > Dr. Anna Szilagyi describes how dehumanizing rhetoric – a key hallmark of Dangerous Speech – affects our thoughts and perceptions, making violence more acceptable. Which is exactly what I was alluding to above. If we believe dehumanization is harmful _to the person doing the dehumanizing_, in and of itself, regardless of the target - then we shouldn’t do it, even if Republicans deserve it. If we don’t buy that dehumanization is inherently harmful, then we can make a case by case decision, including saying ‘yep, Republicans are such massive assholes that dehumanizing them is OK’. That second argument _is a valid argument to make_; it may or may not be a strong argument, but at least it’s coherent. “Dehumanization is bad and harmful in and of itself but I really like doing it to Trump supporters so I’m going to pretend that calling them “maggots” is not dehumanizing”, on the other hand, is not an intellectually honest argument. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/205 "2024-08-26T16:25:05Z")
And the thing is, there are so many good insults that don’t treat one’s opponents as something that should be exterminated. If you don’t want to exterminate them, why not stick to those other insults? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/206 "2024-08-26T16:25:09Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Hope that helps! Do I really have to explain that a near-homophone like “MAGAt” is supposed to be a freaking **joke** , albeit a pretty lowbrow juvenile one? That serious, pervasive, and hateful references to some particular group as vermin is actual **hate speech**? Can you possibly not see the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/207 "2024-08-26T16:26:06Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Do I really have to explain that a near-homophone like “MAGAt” is supposed to be a freaking **joke** , albeit a pretty lowbrow juvenile one? Oh–it’s a _joke_! That’s okay then. Jokes are never harmful and never contribute to a toxic discourse. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/208 "2024-08-26T16:28:08Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Do I really have to explain that a near-homophone like “MAGAt” is supposed to be a freaking **joke** , albeit a pretty lowbrow juvenile one? Oooh, your dehumanization was meant to be _humorous_, was it? That makes it totally OK, then. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/209 "2024-08-26T16:28:49Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > “Dehumanization is bad and harmful in and of itself but I really like doing it to Trump supporters so I’m going to pretend that calling them “maggots” is not dehumanizing”, on the other hand, is not an intellectually honest argument. It would be, if actually used all that often. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/210 "2024-08-26T16:30:32Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Spot on. The adage about wrestling with pigs still holds true, but it’s a-okay to point out, “Jesus, they’re a bunch of pigs rolling around in the mud.” Isn’t “pigs” still dehumanizing? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/211 "2024-08-26T16:34:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Jokes are never harmful and never contribute to a toxic discourse. They can, but only when they carry an implication that can be inferred to have an element of actual truth. Even “how many ‘x’ does it take to screw in a lightbulb” jokes can be harmful by conveying the implication that ‘x’ is stupid. But what the hell actual truth does “MAGAt” seriously convey, except maybe to the fevered imagination of someone looking to be offended? Which sort of individual I suspect would be equally offended if the “t” was dropped. There really is such a thing as manufactured outrage. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/212 "2024-08-26T16:38:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > But what the hell actual truth does “MAGAt” seriously convey, except maybe to the fevered imagination of someone looking to be offended? That one view Trump supporters as subhuman scum, as vermin whose very existence is tainting this country, as something to eliminate completely? You know - like maggots? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/213 "2024-08-26T16:40:59Z")
And who on this board has that view? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/214 "2024-08-26T16:43:54Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > That one view Trump supporters as subhuman scum, as vermin whose very existence is tainting this country, as something to eliminate completely? You know - like maggots? Please name one poster here among the many who have used the term “MAGAt” who has indicated in any way – even very vaguely – that they actually view Trump supporters in the way you just described? If you can’t, then admit you’re wrong. Speaking for myself, I’ve called Trump supporters many things. The words I use most often are “uninformed” and “ignorant”. I believe “idiots” has also come up. I can confidently state that “subhuman scum” and “vermin” were not adjectives I’ve ever employed. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/215 "2024-08-26T16:45:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And who on this board has that view? Is it OK to use slurs as long as you don’t actually hate the people you’re using slurs against? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/216 "2024-08-26T16:46:11Z")
_Who on this board holds those views?_ ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/217 "2024-08-26T16:47:54Z")
For what it’s worth, I think MAGAt is indeed roughly comparable to “Democrat party”, and IMO both are slurs that should be banned outside the PIT. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/218 "2024-08-26T16:48:18Z")
When you’re parroting arguments from the Clothahump playbook, it’s time to take the L and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/219 "2024-08-26T16:52:38Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Please name one poster here among the many who have used the term “MAGAt” who has indicated in any way – even very vaguely – that they actually view Trump supporters in the way you just described? If you can’t, then admit you’re wrong. So as long as you don’t hold any hate in your heart you can say any slur you want? > [@wolfpup](#): > > I can confidently state that “subhuman scum” and “vermin” were not adjectives I’ve ever employed. Then why use a term that compares them to maggots, known for being subhuman vermin? Not every shorthand term that happens to sound like an animal is dehumanizing. For example, I knew a Reform Jewish woman who was studying to become a rabbi, and so she called her self a “rabbi in training”, or “rabbit”. Since rabbits don’t generally have an association as vile disgusting things that ruin anything they touch completely and utterly; and since the point of the term wasn’t to insult rabbis who are training; I don’t think that this term is very dehumanizing. MAGAt, on the other hand, is both meant as a term of disparagement for a class of people you dislike, AND is specifically chosen because of the vile association of the maggot, a disgusting creature that spoils food and must therefore be destroyed wherever it comes in contact with anything valuable. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/220 "2024-08-26T16:53:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Who on this board holds those views? So if no one on this board is in favor of slavery and we all agree that black people are equal, should we start dropping n-bombs? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=12)