James Finn
Oct 20, 2020

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I applaud your calling some of these expressions to public attention, and I agree we need to be very careful to avoid racism in our common expressions.

However, some of the theoretical racist origins of the expressions you cite are recognized by linguists as folk etymology.

I don’t want to argue about specifics, I would just like to say that caution ought to be the order of the day.

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James Finn
James Finn

Written by James Finn

James Finn is an LGBTQ columnist, a former Air Force intelligence analyst, an alumnus of Act Up NY, and an agented but unpublished novelist.

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