The color of words : an encyclopaedic dictionary of ethnic bias in the United States

The 851 terms defined include slurs used to disparage nearly every ethnic group in U.S. society, ethnic euphemisms and code words, and vogue or disputed terms heard in ongoing multicultural debates. In addition to providing known etymology and usage, entries explore how meaning varies by social context or circumstance, and how it has changed over time. Many include brief quotations from recent writings. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Library Journal. This combination multicultural encyclopedia and dictionary of terms associated with racial discrimination offers a contemporary look at ethnic usage. More than a simple slang dictionary, it incorporates common yet misunderstood terms ("Hispanic," "Native American"), ethnic slurs affecting a wide group of American minorities, and politically driven words and phrases ("ethnic cleansing," "politically correct"). Entries begin with one or more definitions followed by known etymology and usage; social background and implications are often included. A writer and editor trained as an anthropologist, Herbst has created a balanced, scholarly treatment of intercultural communication. Used in conjunction with works treating a single ethnic culture (e.g., Juba to Jive: A Dictionary of African-American Slang, LJ 1/94), this work will help define the language of cultural relations A useful reference for both academic and public libraries.Kelli Perkins, Herrick P.L., Holland, Mich "The Color of Words" tells the stories of words used in the United States to label ethnic groups or to talk about the social landscape of which ethnic groups are a part. The book defines over 850 ethnic and racial terms and expressions that convey ethnic bias or that are commonly regarded as controversial or confusing. Many entries are supplemented with comments about group stereotypes and their origins, ethnic identities, sociopolitics, and multicultural debates. These comments emphasize that the entries are labels for classifications people make about society, and that these classifications are often made for reasons of manipulation or mischief. Understanding the ethnic words in this collection can expose inequalities and stresses in relations between groups, opening communication and understanding. (SLD) Ethnic Epithets In Society. Philip H. Herbst. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 243-259).