I thought that jerry/jury-rigged/built were generally pejorative terms indicating shoddy workmanship: the terms usually seem to describe something that's been rather hastily thrown together using random stuff that's at hand, anyway. I'm not sure if the "jerry" in question has anything to do with the Germans, though I'm really not at all sure about its etymology.

The Jerry aspect is a perjorative, but the Germans are renowned for their engineering prowess.

There is a term for something that was put together poorly that has a similar structure but a much more offensive term in it. Replace "Jerry" with the well known "N-word" and you have your slight at someone's technical skills. This expression of course relies on both a direct insult using derogatory language and the additional implication that people of African descent are not skilled at engineering which is of course a false statement both from modern and ancient standards. Again, it arose from the attempts to subjugate those that are different through the use of discrimination.

^

Doesn't sound like it makes sense, but it actually does. I mean you are referencing a brand name, so imho what's the big deal about it?

The reputation of German engineering is well known, and given the nature of jerry-built/-rigged/whatever to mean sloppy workmanship, I suspect that the etymology of WWII's "Jerries" is unrelated. I should really look in the OED since there's one right behind me.

Okay, it says this: "that jerry-builder and jerry-built originated in some way from the name Jerry is probable; but the statement made in a letter to the newspapers in Jan 1884, that they commemorate the name of a building on the Mersey, has on investigation not been confirmed. The earliest example yet found is that of jerry-built in 1869. [...] So jerry-build, to build unsubstantially of bad materials; jerry-building, the speculative building of houses, etc of bad materials and unsubstantial workmanship." Well that says what it means, but as to its origins seems a rather lengthy way of saying "we don't know"!

Well, that etymology precedes the WWII and WWI usage by a significant amount of time.

I'd rather not say.


A lot of countries do it -- usually the more jingoistic or militaristic ones.


Apparently we live in parallel universes. I've met red-headed Irish people, have never had a problem with DHL, and am always hearing "privilege" talk from "lower" classes; and Vometia has never met a red-headed Irishmen, hates DHL, and hears her "privilege" talk from privileged people.

I once pledged to my America, but than I took an arrow to the knee.

I don't know where you went to school, but I learned American history. You know, the history of my country, the history of my people, and I am quite sure I never heard the term "white history" as I was taught about blacks, whites, hispanics, and the likes who all helped form that history. The world was different back then though, so you can't exactly call us racist if the main players (for the most part) in positions of power were white. American history - along with pretty much every other country - has a dark past. Trying to be politically correct about it now doesn't change that.

And just to add: giving special treatment to any one race will just foster further racism. You can't play favorites if you want equality.

Um... no. No... no. These women scare the crap out of me. (And I'm female.) I guess they kind of forget how, I don't know, necessary men are to the survival of the "female race".

He's either joking or incredibly stupid/melodramatic.

germans = krautfresser

The days of old are no more though. She is queen in title and tradition only. Also cause of her historic lineage.

err wow that was very border line political-ish. my bad @_@

If you find me so disagreeable, put me on your ignore list; but following me around adding little more than "I disagree" is getting a bit weird.

Where did that come from? Wow. It's called making conversation. Do you not know how that works?

Have fun with whatever bizarro paradigm you've invented in your head.

It's difficult to keep track of what words and phrases have been criminalised. Best you just ignore people like him. In fact, don't say anything in front of him.

Interviewer- "How are we going to get rid of racism?"

Morgan Freeman- "Stop talking about it"

Wow, he's not just a sixy voice.

As wonderful as that would be, the opportunists simply can't help themselves, as seen in the OP's example.

I have a polemic question! (I always have one, don't I?)

Is it true that "Negro" is a pejorative word in the United States?

Yes. To you it just means "black", the colour, eh?

Your coworker is dumb.

In my country, it's just a collective term for all people of African-American ethnic background. It's not offensive at all (or at least that is how it used to be, not sure about now). Interesting eh?

Went to all public schools. Back in the 70's, I had a few teachers in grade school (1st, 2nd grade) that had us all stand up and do that. But it wasn't a school "law" .. individual teacher thing, not all classrooms/teachers did it. I think after 2nd grade the only time it was done was during certain ceremonies or celebrations. And even then it was voluntary.

Private schools are another matter and it's up to them.

Yes and no. It depends who you're talking to & where you are. It used to not be considered so by most (in my small experience anyway) but more so now.
You have to remember that the US is crammed full of micro-climates as far as this stuff is concerned. What's true/common in one city or in one state may not be true/common at all in another city/state.

I personally dislike all the political correctness and think the focus should get away from words themselves. You can turn any word into an insult if it catches on as such. And I'd agree with the "stop talking about it" aspect as well.

I think America, and by association the UK and Australia (but not so much, there), are the only places that frown on "negro". I think it sounds really cool. 'Course, with America's history...

Then again, the PC term changes every decade or so. First it was "negro", then it was "black", then it was "African-American" (although there's nothing African about black Americans )... I admit my tolerance for keeping up with the PC-ness or not of terms, and the people that create/police them, is running kind of thin lately.

Due to the bizarre nature of all the stories you have told, I am having a hard time believing this.

Either you, and everyone around you, acts totally different than all of society, or you are making this up.

I do find myself wondering just where it is that SilverEagle lives. Do tell, bud.