Why is Chinaman offensive and Irishmen/Englishmen/Dutchmen/Frenchman acceptable? (racist, Korean)

[Davy-040]

Can anyone explain this?

[DTL3000]

Dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature.

[yueng-ling]

Everything has its historical context.

In Japanese, calling Chinese man 'China-jin" is offensive too, and the correct form is Chuugoku-jin. The former derived from some European language, and the latter derived from Chinese.

[Nodpete]

Because the last 4 you mentioned are White, and it's OK to insult Whites & Christians. Remember, they are the ONLY people that are racists !

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Nodpete

Because the last 4 you mentioned are White, and it's OK to insult Whites & Christians. Remember, they are the ONLY people that are racists !

I've never heard Irishmen/Englishmen/Dutchman/Frenchman used as an insult. It has a 'gentleman-like' attachment image to it.

[Pueblofuerte]

In Jamaica they use it a lot. I don't see how it's offensive, I would use it happily as long as the person is actual Chinese and not Korean or Vietnamese etc.

[MountainHi]

My guess is that back in the days of the Asian Exclusionary Laws in the US, "Chinaman" was used as a pejorative. The others you list have no such stigma. These days, as your question illustrates, few people know there was such a thing as Asian Exclusionary Laws, and have no image in particular attached to the word "Chinaman". The world has moved on, as the world does tend to do, so it's no longer an issue except with the oldest generations.

[theunbrainwashed]

Originally Posted by Nodpete

Because the last 4 you mentioned are White, and it's OK to insult Whites & Christians. Remember, they are the ONLY people that are racists !

Thank you for your very thought provoking post

Chinaman was used as a racial pejorative in the past. Irishman was never used in this way, but calling an Irish person a m*** is pretty offensive.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by MountainHi

My guess is that back in the days of the Asian Exclusionary Laws in the US, "Chinaman" was used as a pejorative. The others you list have no such stigma. These days, as your question illustrates, few people know there was such a thing as Asian Exclusionary Laws, and have no image in particular attached to the word "Chinaman". The world has moved on, as the world does tend to do, so it's no longer an issue except with the oldest generations.

This answers your question, OP. Are we done here?

[Davy-040]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

This answers your question, OP. Are we done here?

I guess its okay to use Chinaman then.