The word 'paki' is seen as offensive. I get called a scot or a scoty.. and i'm sure you have short names from where you are from. So why are those words not offensive but this one word is? :S

I think that it is because originally it wasn't an insult, it was as you say just a shortening of Pakistani, but over time it was often used in an insulting manner by racists against them. it is about how you say certain words, not the words themselves, and this word was spat out in such a hate-filled way by many racists that over time it became something to be used by them as an insult. As you say, to be called a Scot is not insulting, but if they were to call you a Scottish b***ard then the Scottish part of their sentence would in this instance be used as part of the intended insult, and the use of Paki is used in a similar manner. Also it is often used towards someone who may not actually be from Pakistan but the user just classes Indians, Pakistanis etc. as being all the same, which is a dismissive generalisation.

Really? Since when is that word offensive?

Words develop their definitions in two ways: etymology and usage. So aside from the roots or technical meanings (etymology), a word can sometimes take on -- as part of its definition -- the way it's customarily used by society. So if a word is used in a derogatory way by enough people for long enough, that word takes on that derogatory implication as part of its definition.

It's not widespread for people to use the term "scot" as an insult, so it's merely a description word, non-offensive: it just means a person from Scotland. However "paki" has a derogatory implication because of its usage. People from Pakistan are an ethnic minority in Britain and subject to racist discrimination -- and it's within that context that people from the majority population have been using the word "paki" as an insult.

which is more offensive - to be called scot? or jock?
I am sure that jocks, paddys and taffys across the uk get irritated when called such names - but do they retaliate and come up with some equivalent?

Thats a good question. Its a bit like the words wanker and jerk off. The both mean the same thing but the word wanker is much more offensive than jerk off.

It is the same as why "Jap" is derogatory for the Japanese. I think because of the context it was used in - not respectfully. To say Scot is a modern term and does not hold any history in it, simply a shortening.

It is about the connotations of the word, and it's history.

I have red hair, and am a bit touchy about people calling me a 'ginger'. Most of the time I have heard that word it has been used in a derogatory way, usually shouted at me by gangs of lads as I walk down the street. So it has acquired certain connotations for me.

'Scot' does not have a history of being used in a racist manner, or being used to demean people. 'Paki' does. This is why the words used to refer to people have changed, to move ahead of racism. Once it was not offensive to be refered to as 'coloured' or a person of colour. But now we have a history of racists using that term, for example 'no coloureds' signs on hostel doors. So the word itself becomes taboo through association with racism, and 'black' becomes more acceptable. And now, in politically correct circles in the US, 'black' itself has possible racist connotations, so euphemisms like 'African-American' gain currency.

Scot may have been offensive at one time. Generally there's not much discrimination against the Scottish though.
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Pakistanis have it kind of tough in England (or so I am led to believe).
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I would suggest that when society gives a group short shrift along with a shortened name it becomes worth it to fight against both.

I think the word is used so often by ignorant racists, that it now has negative connotations associated with it. While the word itself is not offensive, this is unfortunately the intention of many who use it. I always get a kick out of asking those who use words such as paki or hindu in a simpleminded attempt to slam someone if they can explain what the word means. It feels good to expose the ignorant for who they truly are. Racism and intelligence do not go hand in hand.

Paki? It doesn't offend me at all.

Simply because of the way it has been used in the past. At the times when racist discrimination against Pakistanis was greatest, the term the racists used was "paki". There was even the concept of "going Paki-bashing" amongst racist louts. The word brings back memories of those times and that attitude amongst those who suffered from it, and their children who they told about it.

A word is not just a sound - it carried overtones with it as a result of the way it has been used in the past. "Paki" was used as a derogatory term in the past, and still carries that meaning as well as any literal meaning.

We had the same with marrocans in holland. For 20 years the term ´mocro` was unexceptable. Now we can call them bike-thiefs (which the germans were for 50 years) ans they just laugh about it.
Main things have to do with insecurity and fear. If people are settled down and start to feel accepted, they are much more able and willing to fit in.

Very very good question. I don't know why, but interested to know.

Because not many Scots have been kicked to death while being called 'You Fucking Scot'.

To tell the truth I had to guess that this word referred to a person from Pakistan. And I took it from your question that it was said to a person of that descent as an insult. On a day to day basis I don't refer to human beings in derogatory terms. It's not part of my speech. My children at one time or another have been called names. We lived in the South (U.S.)for thirteen years, Kentucky specifically. When we moved North (where I'm from originally) my middle son was called a "Red Neck". I believe at the time I just told him to ignore it. Now, of course I realize it must have bothered him deeply. My youngest is bi-racial. He lives with his Dad. He was called a "nigger" at school. I was less happy about that. Hurt, really. The assistant principal did nothing about it. He's black himself. I thought that maybe he did that because it "happens". And maybe he thought that's just something something my son would have to get used to. I know it depends how the word is used. Black people used the word itself. But between blacks the word is not offensive. It's who's using it. I have no reason to use the word "paki". What is it referring to where you come from and why?

First of all a term/word that is being used in a derogatory manner only becomes a racist term/word when that community of people it is aimed at take offense to it.If a word is aimed at an ethnic group and it is harmlessly received ie Scotish = jock, Irish = paddy, Welsh = taffy then it is accepted. Maybe the blame lies more with the people who are taking offense rather than those using the words. 'Nick names' used with no racist connotations but simply to shorten a word should not been deemed racist ie Paki= Pakistani, Brit= British, Aussie= Australian.Now you may argue that the word paki is offensive but it was simply used to give the asian community a 'nick name' when they first arrived to Britain, maybe as a way of accepting them into our culture. At the moment in Britain just like in the 70's and 80's with the Asians there has been an increase in eastern European immigrants coming to our shores.Just like in the 70' and 80's these immigrants have 'nick names' pol = polish, Koso = Kosovan, but unlike the Asian immigrants these immigrants don't take offense because they see these words for what they are and do not not have a chip on their shoulder waiting for an excuse to complain. While some would simply brush it aside or let it go over there heads some people with a huge chip on their shoulder automatically think the world owes them something so get offended by silly playground nick names. I am British and I have just been to Australia,while I was there I worked and travelled.On a few occasions when I arrived at work, as soon as i spoke i was greeted with the line 'oh no not another bloody pom '. Pom in Australia is the slang term for pomigrant = immigrant that was used to describe the British who went over to Australia in the late 70's to help increase their population.Did I take offense to this NO, because a) i have a sense of humor and b) its just a three letter word!!! is that word still used in a derogatory manor to describe someone of British origin in Australia YES!