Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Life And Society
  4. / Ethnic Relations
  5. / More Ethnic Relations

by porshacat on March 4th, 2007

porshacat

Question

Help answer this question below.

It is commonplace to shorten the name of a country to descibe a native, as in Aussie, Scot, Brit, Swede etc so why is Paki deemed offensive? Isn't it just a shorterned version like all the others?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

  • by galaxy on March 4th, 2007

    galaxy

    i guess it is offensive to someone who is from india being called paki. Some ppl can't tell difference between indian and paki so if they call an indian person-paki ; he/she finds it offensive since there is a hostility between the 2 countries. but as far as i see it i don't get it why its offensive. every human being is the same deep down even if we have religious or political differences.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on April 9th, 2007

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    While Aussie is used as a term of endearment, I do not think that Paki is...that is the difference. Even Brit can be misused. You have to be careful that the term you are using has not been used derogatively in the past eg Abo for Aboriginal is a no-no here in australia, as it was very derogatory, like Nigger in the US.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Im Alec has abandoned this account on March 4th, 2007

    Im Alec has abandoned this account

    It is offensive simply because people have used it offensively. "Nigger" is from Negro, which simply means black. But it has been used over they years in a way which makes it indubitably offensive. Similarly, "Paki" has been used in an offensive manner. People talk (regrettably) about "Paki-bashing" - but never (as far as I know) about "Aussie bashing". Words tram meaning as much from yow they are used, rather than their origins. "Prestigious" was once an insult, now it is a compliment. Paki was once a literal, now it is an insult - because people use it that way.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by hijklmno on April 9th, 2007

    hijklmno

    It's not what's said. It is *how* it is said.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Seraphim Shinobi on March 4th, 2007

    Seraphim Shinobi

    I agree, i don't know why its offensive. just like Afganistan means land of the Afgans, Pakistan must mean land of the Pakis.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by hello_x3 on March 4th, 2007

    hello_x3

    well if you use it to name the country, i dont think so, but if you call a Pakistani person "paki" they would probably take offense from it

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Vesper on March 4th, 2007

    Vesper

    It may be that they feel that it is used to offend them, as more of a slur, than to shorten the name of the land they live.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on January 20th, 2012

    Anonymous

    I was born in England and refer to myself as English whenever I am asked my nationality. I absolutely despise being referred to as a Brit. The term is patronising and utterly contemptible in my opinion, and I wish people would stop using it (particularly the media and TV).

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading It is commonplace to shorten the name of a country to descibe a native, as in Aussie, Scot, Brit, Swede etc so why is Paki deemed offensive? Isn't it just a shorterned version like all the others?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company