Words^[1] and phrases are pejorative if they imply disapproval^[2] or contempt. The adjective pejorative is synonymous with derogatory, derisive, dyslogistic, and contemptuous. When used as an adjective, pejorative has two meanings: (1) tending to make or become better, and (2) tending to encourage or support. When used as a noun, pejorative means "a belittling or disparaging word or expression".

Pejorative expressions that are not inherently dyslogisms may also be used in a non-pejorative way, however, and determining the intent of the speaker is problematic — as with any implied meaning. Conversely, a common rhetorical ploy is to apply "pejorative" to a factual descriptor — as "toxic" might be applied to poison — and then decry it as "pejorative" to suit the agenda of those defending the substance as harmless.

Not every instance of criticism is pejorative.

Sometimes a term may begin as a pejorative word and eventually be adopted in a non-pejorative sense. This happened with the terms Quaker, Yankee, Okie, Tory and Whig, Ham radio operator, Methodist, Shaker, Unitarian and Sooner which were originally slang insults but came to be used as non-pejorative standard words. The term Yankee, sometimes abbreviated to Yank, has a few related meanings often referring to someone of U Okie is a term dating from as early as 1907 denoting a resident or native of Oklahoma. In the political tradition of some English-speaking countries, the term Tory has referred to a variety of political parties and Creeds since it was Ham is an informal term for an Amateur radio operator, and by extension "ham radio" refers to Amateur radio in general Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as the Shakers, was a Protestant religious denomination that originated in Manchester Slang is the use of highly informal Words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's Dialect or Language. In historical linguistics, this phenomenon is known as melioration, or amelioration. Historical linguistics (also called diachronic linguistics) is the study of language change In diachronic (or historical linguistics, semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word. Sometimes a term is still considered as a pejorative word by some but not by others. In other cases, some groups have attempted to reclaim formerly offensive words applied against them, with limited success. The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are or have been used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given Ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical Such terms as nigger (nigga), "kike", redneck, cracker, white trash, Redskin, dyke, queer, fairy, faggot, tranny, geek, nerd, Paki, chav, or cripple are considered pejorative if used by one who is not a member of the group in question. Nigger is a Noun in the English language, most notable for its usage in a derogatory context to refer to Black people, and also as an informal Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an Eye dialect form of the word Nigger (which is derived ultimately For other meanings see Kike (disambiguation. In modern English language the word kike (IPA /ˈkаɪk/ is a Pejorative Ethnic Redneck refers to a Stereotype of usually Rural, Caucasian (i " Cracker " sometimes " white cracker " is a Pejorative term for a white person, mainly used in the Southern United States White trash is a Pejorative term targeted at lower social class White people with poor prospects and/or low levels of education A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women Queer has traditionally meant odd or unusual but is now also used to refer to anyone who is not heteronormative. Faggot or fag, in modern North American and Australian English is a word and generally a Pejorative slur term for a gay or Faggot or fag, in modern North American and Australian English is a word and generally a Pejorative slur term for a gay or Transsexualism is a condition in which a person identifies with a physical Sex different from the one with which they were born The word geek is a Slang term noting individuals as "a peculiar or otherwise odd person especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or Stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues Intellectual activities Esoteric The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are or have been used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given Ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical Chav (ʧæv or Charv/Charva (ʧɑːv British English also incorporates many British regional slurs. English language in England refers to the English language as spoken in England, part of the United Kingdom.

References

See also

• Euphemism treadmill
• Hypocoristic, a pet name (antonym)
• Semantic change
• Taunt
• Bully
• Pejorative suffix
• Historical linguistics
• Term of disparagement
• List of ethnic slurs

A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener or in the case of doublespeak A hypocoristic, hypocorism, or hypochorisma (from Greek el ὑποκορίζεσθαι el-Latn hypokorizesthai, "to use child-talk" In diachronic (or historical linguistics, semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word. A taunt is a Battle cry, a method in hand-to-hand combat sarcastic remark or insult intended to make the other feel miserable and powerless A pejorative suffix is a Suffix that attaches a negative meaning to the word or word-stem preceding it Historical linguistics (also called diachronic linguistics) is the study of language change Terms of disparagement are Pejorative Words and Phrases which are either intended to be or are often regarded as insulting impolite or unkind The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are or have been used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given Ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical

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