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[Skilotonn]

Sigh.

I fear for the generations that continue to be born - as technology advances and it becomes soooooo much easier to expand your knowledge, it's actually taking on an adverse effect on the youth.

That plus technology is so easy that even stupid people can come across things like these and tweet back their stupidity, young and old.

Makes me feel old and extra-ordinarily wise for knowing this phrase while there are people that live in the country where I thought it was a common phrase yet don't know of it.

 

[bengraven]

 

[Boss Doggie]

Sigh.

I fear for the generations that continue to be born - as technology advances and it becomes soooooo much easier to expand your knowledge, it's actually taking on an adverse effect on the youth.

That plus technology is so easy that even stupid people can come across things like these and tweet back their stupidity, young and old.

Makes me feel old and extra-ordinarily wise for knowing this phrase while there are people that live in the country where I thought it was a common phrase yet don't know of it.

In my country a racist term centuries ago is still mistaken as a common term for Chinese. (Tsino/Tsina is the proper Filipino for Chinese, but people mistake "Intsik" as the Filipino term. History shows that it's a derogatory term used by Spaniards to Chinese or half-Chinese in the country back in their occupation)

 

[Branduil]

This reminds me of people getting upset when someone uses the word "niggardly."

 

[Bold One]

The US Army has a twitter?

 

[Siegcram]

The US Army has a twitter?

The freakin CIA is on Twitter.

 

[Stuart444]

I'm Scottish and both definitions are used. Admittedly chink has only ever been used in its non-racial form when it's "Chink in the armour".

I'm Scottish and when I see the phrase "Chink in the armour", I have never even thought of the racial slur. The phrase is well known enough that I'm shocked anyone would be offended by it but here we are... discussing this well known phrase and it's racist implications

 

[Kinyou]

Nips it in the bud.

As someone who isn't a native speaker, I was a bit confused why Russel Crowe wanted to nip something in the butt in Les Miserables.

 

[ConradCervantes]

Chink is a slur given the correct context, but the Army twitter meant nothing via that centuries-old phrase. Illogically-sensitive pearl-clutchers need to make sure that whatever cause for which they assemble their outraged masses actually has merit to it.

 

[GungHo]

I'd actually be inclined to agree with you-- I would not be offended if I hear the word used properly. It sounds really cute, and cute things <3.

It's just also commonly used as a slur against Asians. Chink means small opening/slit/crack-- and guess what is one popular way people like to mock Asians? Here are some hints-- "I'll blindfold him with dental floss."

Pretty sure it originated as an abbreviation of sort for "Chinese", kind of like "Jap" or "Nip" for Japanese or "Jerry" for German. I'm not saying that it's not possible, but I think you're affording the people who came up with the offensive shorthand with far more imagination than they actually possessed.

 

[Bold One]

The freakin CIA is on Twitter.

always assumed they were a clandestine organisation

 

[Zeus Molecules]

...people are such fucking idiots.

it hurts my head how stupid people are

 

[Vermillion]

PC goes overboard once again. The other day I was told that it's racist to say "black paint."

Spoiler

Instead I have to say "Charles, would you please paint my fence?"

This is wrong, etc...

But I still laughed out loud.

 

[HORRORSHØW]

people are too sensitive. i remember when an ESPN writer used the phrase "chink in the armor" when referring to jeremy lin. in that context, even though it is a double entendre, was racially charged.