# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/101 "2024-08-03T02:13:09Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Is the purpose of the forums a place to discuss issues in a civil manner Discussion isn’t a purpose, it is a method to achieve a purpose. My purpose of the forums is to get other’s perspectives, digest them, and optionally incorporate them into my own perspective. Someone with a minority viewpoint has a lot more potential to gain than their opposite. As a liberal I’m constantly on the lookout reasoned perspectives that are counter to my own. Liberal or conservative: The point isn’t to change minds; it is to change your own. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/102 "2024-08-03T03:26:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And when they get pissed off what do they do? At least with the MAGA types I have personal relationships with, they usually just drop the subject which is something they won’t do if I actually take their points of view seriously by trying to use things like reason, empathy, and compassion to argue against their points. They don’t like it when you don’t take them seriously. But of course, in the grand scheme of things, we really do need take them seriously. They’re the equivalent of a toddler waiving a pistol around. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/103 "2024-08-03T03:32:32Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > They’re the equivalent of a toddler waiving a pistol around. The problem is, no matter what you do, the toddler will be mad if you take their pistol and will resist giving it to you no matter what you say. I’ve taken a slow approach to the few MAGA I know. I will never, ever convince them to put down the gun in one conversation. I just need to carefully lean in on them and hope it will trickle through eventually. I have no evidence that this will work but I am out of other ideas. For those online (read: I do not know them), I have no problem offending them. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2024, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/104 "2024-08-03T11:04:18Z")
Maybe MAGAt talk is dehumanizing, but you’ve gotta admit those people are **WEIRD**. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/105 "2024-08-03T14:24:11Z")
And if someone called another poster a MAGAt in P&E they would also be moderated. Stating the obvious is not making a point. This thread is about calling non-posters MAGAts. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/106 "2024-08-03T14:24:30Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > Someone with a minority viewpoint has a lot more potential to gain than their opposite. I think the opposite is true. When my viewpoint is the majority (of the people I have access to anyway) hearing others repeat what I think is of little value to me. Hearing from those with viewpoints that I don’t generally hear OTOH is the valuable new to me perspective. OTOH when I am a minority view I’ve heard the majority perspectives already. I’m not hearing anything new or different that I haven’t heard before. To the OP - I agree. I don’t think Demoncrats or that crap would be useful or appreciated here, even if it was allowed, and neither should MAGAts outside of The Pit. I _want_ to have a place that facilitates mutually respectful exchange of opinions even when we in reality hold each other in contempt. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/107 "2024-08-03T14:35:15Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > But MAGAts and libtards cross my arbitrary line of being dumb-sounding, vaguely offensive, or reminiscent of vermin. Again, is it just me that never drew this association? I would not pronounce “MAGAts” and “maggots” the same. So anyway, is MAGAs OK then? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/108 "2024-08-03T15:02:16Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Again, is it just me that never drew this association? I would not pronounce “MAGAts” and “maggots” the same. Nope – not just you. In my head, “MAGAts” rhymes with “knots” (common American ‘short o’ pronunciation). Kind of like “_muh-KNOTS_” but with a different consonant in the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/109 "2024-08-03T15:03:11Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > So anyway, is MAGAs OK then? MAGAs is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/110 "2024-08-03T22:24:07Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > So anyway, is MAGAs OK then? If Biden was okay calling on people as “MAGA Republicans” in a pejorative way during an address to the nation (which I believe he did more than once), it should be fine here I would hope. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/111 "2024-08-21T18:07:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > And I do mean tiring in a literal sense I agree with you @Johnny_Bravo. It’s an indication of low intellectual thinking, much like Trump himself. If name calling is the best you got…move along. ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/112 "2024-08-21T18:10:11Z")
What name calling? _They wear it on their overpriced caps._ ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/113 "2024-08-21T18:37:39Z")
“MAGA_t_”? I think not, and I think you know better. ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/114 "2024-08-21T18:41:26Z")
MAGA + hats = MAGAts. If it were printed primarily on all apparel the word “MAGApparel” might pop up. But it isn’t, so it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/115 "2024-08-21T18:43:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > MAGA + hats = MAGAts This has been covered. MAGAt = “maggot”. ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/116 "2024-08-21T18:45:06Z")
That may be your personal belief, but that doesn’t mean it is “covered”. MAGot means maggot. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/117 "2024-08-21T18:48:09Z")
There was considerable discussion during the beginning of this thread on this - go back and read it yourself. You are welcome to your personal belief of whatever you like, but at least you’ll be aware that the vast majority of people who use “MAGAt” are doing so as a “maggot” reference. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/118 "2024-08-21T19:03:28Z")
I think it’s a homophone of Maggot. Here’s [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magat): > - “MAGAt”, a derogatory term used for supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, named for his slogan Make America Great Again] (MAGA); **the term is a homophone of “maggot”** Here’s the [wiki dictionary](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/MAGAt): > **Etymology** > > [Blend](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary#blend) of _[MAGA](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/MAGA#English)_ +‎ _[maggot](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maggot#English)_. _[MAGA](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/MAGA#English)_ is the acronym of “[Make America Great Again](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Make_America_Great_Again)”, Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. Here’s a different [dictionary:](https://www.wordsense.eu/MAGAt/) > **MAGAt** (_pl._ **MAGAts** ) - (_US politics, [slang](https://www.wordsense.eu/slang/), [derogatory](https://www.wordsense.eu/ **derogatory** /)_) A political supporter of Donald Trump (born 1946), the 45th [president](https://www.wordsense.eu/president/) of the [United States](https://www.wordsense.eu/United_States/). After reading this thread, I think it’s not as obvious as it was in my mind to think that. But once it’s pointed out Magat is certainly a homophone of maggot (_or intended to be_) whether you agree it’s a derogatory/dehumanizing word or not. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/119 "2024-08-21T19:03:40Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > You are welcome to your personal belief of whatever you like, but at least you’ll be aware that the vast majority of people who use “MAGAt” are doing so as a “maggot” reference. Yes, _this_ is why that term is used. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060/120 "2024-08-21T19:41:28Z")
Yeah. Like I said early in the thread, I did not make that connection as I was pronouncing it differently in my head, but it is clearly and obviously referencing/wordplaying on “maggot.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-calling-trump-supporters-magats-allowed/1005060.md?page=7)