# WTF? Bill O'Reilly just called Mexicans "wetbacks!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370 "2003-02-07T03:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/61 "2003-02-07T14:26:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*Hell, “Nigger” was just a mispronounciation of “negro”, which is the Spanish word for black, but that doesn’t make THAT okay. \*\* \ Only because I don’t want to start a new thread to ask this question… I thought “nigger” was a slang form of niggard which means cheap. As in cheap slave labour. Which, IMO, makes it a more disgusting word than a mispronouciation of black in Spanish. Is this thought at all accurate, or is it another example of _FordPrefect’s Inaccurate Memory Facts_ TM ? \ O’Reilly is an ass. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/62 "2003-02-07T14:41:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*Censored, > > That’s because normally he can make shit up without getting called on it. I saw him early last summer claim, and be agreed with by his guests, that the entire Bin Laden family was flying around and out of the US, on a chartered jet “within 48 hours of the planes hitting the towers.” > > Umm, Bill, you fuckwit? ALL planes were grounded, nevermind planes rented by brothers of the main suspect in the attack. \*\* Actually, that urban legend was originated by none other than Michael Moore, on the Daily Show. [He based it apparently on some statements published in the _New York Times_, September 30, 2001.](http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/flight.htm) The actual flight took place about five days after the time frame you mention. So Bill Reilly didn’t exactly “make shit up”, but the New York Times did. And Michael Moore would be the fuckwit in question. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/63 "2003-02-07T15:08:26Z")
> [@](#): > > _FordPrefect_ > I thought “nigger” was a slang form of niggard which means cheap. As in cheap slave labour. Which, IMO, makes it a more disgusting word than a mispronouciation of black in Spanish. There is [no etymological connection](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mniggard.html) between “niggard” and “nigger.” ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/64 "2003-02-07T15:15:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > \*\*Actually, that urban legend was originated by none other than Michael Moore, on the Daily Show. [He based it apparently on some statements published in the _New York Times_, September 30, 2001.](http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/flight.htm) The actual flight took place about five days after the time frame you mention. > > So Bill Reilly didn’t exactly “make shit up”, but the New York Times did. And Michael Moore would be the fuckwit in question. > > Regards, > Shodan \*\* It doesn’t matter who made it up. To insist, over and over and over that it happened in the 48 hours afterwards, and not even consider that you might be wrong, makes you a fuckwit. As for Michael Moore, I liked _Roger and Me_. Other than that, I can’t claim any respect for the man. ---
**Author:** ![Amok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@Amok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amok)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/65 "2003-02-07T15:18:28Z")
I guess O’Reilly should have called them “salsa eating immigrate monkeys” and then we all could have laughed it off. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/66 "2003-02-07T15:45:19Z")
I keep holding out hope that somewhere, _somewhere_ there is a pundit or a talking head that isn’t an ignorant idiot. Still holding … ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/67 "2003-02-07T16:09:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*As for Michael Moore, I liked _Roger and Me_. Other than that, I can’t claim any respect for the man. \*\* Go rent **Canadian Bacon** , it’s really quite funny. It does, however, make fun of Canadians\* in a stereotypical way. \*Or poutine-eating puck-monkeys as I like to call 'em. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/68 "2003-02-07T16:20:17Z")
Here in Texas, Hispanic Americans use the term “wetback” to refer to illegal aliens all the time. They know that it’s not an all-encompassing slur on a race, but a derogatory term for a specific group of people. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/69 "2003-02-07T16:38:37Z")
At least they recognize it as derogatory. From what I hear about race relations in Texas, that’s a step forward. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/70 "2003-02-07T16:49:57Z")
How about calling 'em “los mojados”? (It means the same thing, but it sounds better in Spanish) ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/71 "2003-02-07T17:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*Oh, yeah, I never did find out…what exactly is a “pendejo”? Same as a “maricon”? Or is it an insult? \*\* _Pendejo_ in this case could be translated as _idiot, dumb fuck, dumb shit etc_. \*No seas pendejo! \* is a common way to tell someone to not be stupid. _Maricon_ is a derogatory slang term for male homosexual. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/72 "2003-02-07T17:57:43Z")
thanks **Diogenes the Cynic** I should have looked up the Master’s teachings first. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/73 "2003-02-07T18:10:02Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Spiff \* > **Go rent** Canadian Bacon_\*, it’s really quite funny. > > It does, however, make fun of Canadians\* in a stereotypical way. > > \*Or poutine-eating puck-monkeys as I like to call 'em. \*\* The John Candy movie? He was in that? Well, add one other thing I like about Michael Moore, then, because that movie is pure gold. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/74 "2003-02-07T18:13:40Z")
I don’t think Mr. Moore was in it, unless it was some Hitchcock like walk on. But he wrote most of it, produced it, and I believe directed it, so its pretty much his rubber ducky. May the Good Lord bless him and keep him all the days of his life, and profer on him the grace of knowing when to _shut the fuck UP!!_ Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/75 "2003-02-07T19:25:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Pendejo in this case could be translated as idiot, dumb fuck, dumb shit etc. Cheech said it meant “My very good friend” 😃 I assume that’s the same word. Chong made it sound like _Bendeckos_. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/76 "2003-02-07T20:21:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Dio wrote: > > “Well, the Mexican wetbacks…or mules, or whatever you want to call them…” I saw that show. Didn’t he say “wetbacks or **coyotes** or whatever you call them”? I could alsmost swear that he said coyotes. And isn’t “coyote” the slang term for the guys who help move illegals over the border, usually at a great price? (I’m not sure, I am asking for confirmation.) I was only half paying attention to that segment of O’Reilly (I watch out of habit more than any devotion to O’Reilly) and yes, my eyes widened at the use of the term “wetback”. But my initial reaction (having only half-listened) was that he was trying to dredge up the right term for those unscrupulous guys who help the illegals across the border. First he said “wetbacks” and then quickly corrected it with “coyotes”. I’ve heard O’Reilly speak of them before—he has no respect for the “coyotes” and talks of how they vicimize the illegals—taking all their money, cramming them in vans with no ventilation, sometimes raping the women (I thought I remember hearing some story about this). Can anyone confirm that he said “coyotes”? I am SO almost positive he said that. And could someone confirm the definition of “coyotes”? This all may put a whole new wrinkle on his comment. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/77 "2003-02-07T20:33:34Z")
Coyotes (aka “polleros”) are the immigrant smugglers. It could well be that O’Reilly used “wetback” to refer only to illegal immigrants; but the word is a still general slur in a lot of places. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/78 "2003-02-07T20:40:05Z")
True, “wetback” is a slur, no denying that. But my question is, did he use the term “wetback” because he had a brain fart, and was searching for the correct term (“coyotes”)? It seemed like that to me. He _meant_ to say “coyotes”, but “wetback” was the first term that came to mind. He quickly ammended it to “coyotes” a few seconds later. He should have corrected himself and said “I know coyote and wetback are mean two different things and I am sorry I mixed them up and had a lapse there”. Maybe he’ll do that tonight. This is how I saw it. Of course, I was half-paying attention to the context of what he was saying. I think we should try to find a transcript, to correct any confusion. But, I am almost 100% positive he said “coyotes”. Because that’s the only reason I did not get more indignant with him. I figured he had a brain fart. Had he said “mules” (or some other term that is not familiar to me) my reaction would have been different. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/79 "2003-02-07T20:56:34Z")
Was the term once acceptible? [Here](http://www.bigchalk.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WOPortal.woa/wa/HWCDA/file?fileid=177423&flt=High_School&pathTitles=/Chavez_Cesar/Writings_Interviews/Our_Best_Hope_Chavez_Interview&version=2&tg=History) is an example of Cesar Chavez and his interviewer using it rather nonchalantly in a 1969 interview. ---
**Author:** ![Misery\_Loves\_Co](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Misery\_Loves\_Co](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misery_Loves_Co)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370/80 "2003-02-07T21:38:49Z")
\ > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > (referencing a [word-detective.com](http://word-detective.com) entry) > \*\* “Wop” [most likely] comes from an Italian word. In the Neapolitan dialect, a “guappo” is a swaggering ruffian, hoodlum or street tough. If “guappo” sounds like a cool profession, it’s worth noting that the root of “guappo” was most likely the Latin “vappa,” meaning wine that had gone sour or, figuratively, a useless person. . ._\* How odd. . . I know the word “guappo” to mean handsome, though in spanish. I also seem to recall hearing it used in that sense in Italy many times. IMHO, word [detective.com](http://detective.com) missed it on this one. I can dig the wop -\> guappo connection, but unless there is some clever connection between guappo-handsome and guappo-useless person, I’d say they need to dig a little deeper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-bill-oreilly-just-called-mexicans-wetbacks/153370.md?page=5)