Whose English (Essay Sample)

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Whose English
Over the years the different English words have been used offensively yet they are words with quite a different meaning. Words such as Oreo, whitey, and ghetto mean something totally different from what they are used to refer to while spoken. This paper looks at these definitions from the dictionary.com, Oxford dictionary and Merriam-webs. Comparing how it has been used and what it means so as to find out what is missing in the definition.
Oreo is an offensive derogative term in the American culture. Dictionary.com defines it as a black person who is regarded as having adopted the traits of a white man. The definition looks at the values that they operate on as far as culture change is concerned. Finally, the definition looks at the change that has occurred as far as behavior of a person is concerned. Merriam-webs defines Oreo as a black person who embraces the characteristic mentality and behavior of the white middle- class society. The definition revolves around the line of the way one thinks and the character of the person who has been referred to by the term. Oxford dictionary identifies it as a brand of chocolate sandwich cookie with a creamy white filing. It completely overlooks the word to have been associated with people who have completely neglected their culture. These definitions should have focused on an individual’s actions and behavior at a particular instance.
Whitey is a term that is defined by dictionary.com as a term that is commonly used to refer to white people. The definition acknowledges that it is a slang term that is offensive. It, however, fails cover that the term is used to refer to people who are racist. The term is used to refer to someone who is considered racist but in the real sense he or she is not racist. The term is only an assumption and is best categorized as slander should one be referred to as such. Oxford dictionary defines whitey as a term common among black people that refers to white people in general. It fails to look at it as a term that is derogative and abusive in any way. Merriam-webster gives the synonyms of the word whitey as whity and whitey wood. The definition identifies it as a noun that is used to refer to white men or the white society. It fails to acknowledge the slander that exists in the use of the word. It has failed to acknowledge that it is a term that is wrongly used in insinuating that a white man is racist.
Ghetto is a word that can be used as a noun or an adjective. Dictionary.co defines it as a place that is occupied by the low class or a people of given ethni...