Examples of How the O.Q. Works

Here are some terms that are examples of the Offensiveness Quotient in practice:
Term:


gyp


How Used:


Intended as an informal word for swindling or cheating.


Comment:


Although this term is not used deliberately as a slur, it is derived from "Gypsy", and is sometimes taken to be offensive to Gypsies.




Sometimes Offensive
D=0   0=2
OQ=1



Term:


Nazi, as in "soup Nazi"


How Used:


Intended as a clever, jocular put-down.


Comment:


Used in similar vein to "police" as in "thought police," but many find this use objectionable because it trivializes the horrors of Nazi Germany.




Sometimes Offensive
D=1   0=3
OQ=2



Term:


girl, when used about a woman


How Used:


Intended to be familiar.


Comment:


This carry-over from more sexist days is increasingly less tolerated by women, in or out of the workplace. It is considered condescending, and can be easily dispensed with.




Usually
Offensive
D=2   0=3
OQ=2.5



Term:


Holy Roller


How Used:


Intended to be critical but descriptive.


Comment:


This term displays contempt for certain forms of Pentecostal religious fervor.




Offensive
D=3   0=3
OQ=3



Term:


pickaninny


How Used:


Those who still use this term to refer to a child of African descent usually do not intend it to be insulting. Very broadly speaking, the older the user, the less likely the intent to offend.


Comment:


This term is extremely offensive to people of African descent, and is an example of a group of terms, such as "to Jew," that often are not recognized as offensive by the people using them.




Extremely
Offensive
D=2   0=5
OQ=3.5



Term:


city slicker


How Used:


Intended to be critical.


Comment:


Although this term is meant to offend, those against whom this term is directed are often not very offended.




Usually Disparaging
D=3   0=2
OQ=2.5



Term:


boy toy


How Used:


Intended to show contempt.


Comment:


This term is used with intent to offend, but it is most often used about a young man rather than being used to his face.




Disparaging
D=4   0=2
OQ=3



Term:


half-breed


How Used:


Sometimes intended to be purely descriptive.


Comment:


This term is used far more often with intent to insult, and is perceived as implying that a person of mixed race is inferior.




Usually Disparaging and Offensive
D=3   0=4
OQ=3.5



Term:


queer


How Used:


Used as a slur against gays and lesbians.


Comment:


When used as a slur by those who are heterosexual, this term is taken to be offensive by those who are homosexual. However, among gays and lesbians themselves, "queer" can be used as a positive term of self-reference.




Usually Disparaging and Offensive
D=4   0=3
OQ=3.5



Term:


cracker


How Used:


Used to show contempt for a poor white person, especially in the southeastern U.S.


Comment:


This term, although also a neutral slang term for a native of Florida or Georgia, is usually meant as offensive and taken as such.




Disparaging and Offensive
D=4   0=4
OQ=4



Term:


nigger


How Used:


Used with contempt and deliberate intent to hurt and insult.


Comment:


Now the most offensive word in English, its use is rooted in a long history of mistreatment of people of African descent.




Extremely Disparaging and Offensive
D=5   0=5
OQ=5




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