Date:  Tue, 28 Oct 1997 11:57:25 -0500
From:  Jesse T Sheidlower <jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]PANIX.COM>
Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries?

Steve Nolden writes:

> If he [sc. the Publisher of MW] called all white people "Peckerwoods"
> then all white people would most likely be offended. Being labeled is
> not a good thing. I cant see how someone can support Merriam's
> definition. Personally, since the dictionary wants to define black
> people as "Niggers" then the dictionary should include all derogatory
> statements about all races.

The dictionary _does_ include derogatory terms referring to other
racial or ethnic groups, a point also not often mentioned in this
discussion. Merriam includes _peckerwood_ with the definition "a
rural white Southerner--often used disparagingly." Most of the
college dictionaries define this, and also include such words as
"kike," "wop," "mick," and others. No one is getting singled out.

Jesse Sheidlower
<jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]panix.com>