Have you ever stopped to think about the phrases we use every day? Those little sayings that roll off our tongues without a second thought? Turns out, some of them have a pretty shady history. From casual racism to subtle sexism, our language is full of hidden meanings and outdated stereotypes. In this list, we’re going to take a closer look at some common expressions that might seem harmless at first glance but actually carry a lot of baggage, as per woke culture. Let’s dive in and uncover the stories behind the words we use.
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#1 “Boys Will Be Boys”
You’ve probably heard this one when a boy is acting out, right? It’s used to brush off bad behavior as just something boys do. The problem is that it excuses things like aggression or bullying by suggesting it’s just a natural part of being a boy. It’s like saying, “Oh, it’s okay, boys can’t help it,” which isn’t fair or true. Boys should be held accountable for their actions just like anyone else.
#2 “Act Your Age”
This saying can be really limiting. It tells people they should behave in a way that’s considered appropriate for their age, which can be pretty restrictive. It’s like saying there’s a right way to be at any given age, which stifles individuality and can make people feel like they can’t just be themselves. Everyone should be free to act in a way that feels true to them, no matter how old they are.
#3 “Blacklist” and “Whitelist”
Ever thought about how we use “black” for bad things and “white” for good things? Terms like “blacklist” and “whitelist” reinforce these old racial stereotypes. It might seem like no big deal, but constantly associating black with negative and white with positive can subtly reinforce racial biases. It’s a small, constant reminder of harmful associations that we’d do better to leave behind.
#4 “Gyp” or “Gypped”
If you say you got “gypped,” you’re actually using a term that comes from “Gypsy,” referring to the Roma people. It implies that they’re swindlers or cheats, which is a really unfair stereotype. This kind of language contributes to the discrimination and negative bias the Roma community faces even today.
#5 “Man Up”
This phrase tells men to toughen up and hide their feelings as if showing emotion makes them weak. It’s really damaging because it tells men they can’t be vulnerable or seek help when they need it. Everyone has feelings, and it’s healthy to express them, regardless of gender. Telling someone to “man up” just reinforces outdated ideas about masculinity.
#6 “That’s So Ghetto”
Saying this to describe something as cheap or inferior is loaded with racist undertones. It’s rooted in stereotypes about marginalized communities living in impoverished areas. This kind of language unfairly stigmatizes people based on where they live or their socioeconomic status, and it reinforces harmful biases.
#7 “Dumb”
Calling someone “dumb” to mean they’re stupid isn’t just rude; it’s also offensive to people with speech disabilities. Originally, “dumb” meant someone who couldn’t speak, so using it to imply stupidity perpetuates harmful stereotypes and shows a lack of understanding and respect for people with disabilities.
#8 “Long Time, No See”
Have you ever greeted someone with “Long time, no see”? It’s a common way to say hello after you haven’t seen someone in a while, right? But did you know its origins are kind of sketchy? It’s believed to mock the broken English of Native Americans or Chinese immigrants, which isn’t cool. Even though we use it all the time now without thinking, it’s important to understand where these phrases come from and how they might carry offensive undertones.
#9 “Like a Girl”
We’ve all heard someone say, “You throw like a girl” as an insult. It suggests that anything associated with girls is inferior or weak. This is super harmful because it teaches both boys and girls that femininity is something to be ashamed of. Girls grow up thinking they’re not as capable, and boys think it’s bad to show any traits considered “girly.”
#10 “That’s So Gay”
Using “gay” to describe something negatively is hurtful and homophobic. It equates being gay with something bad or undesirable, which can be really damaging to LGBTQ+ people. It’s a subtle way of reinforcing negative stereotypes and making people feel like their identity is something to be ashamed of.
#11 “You People”
Using “you people” can sound really condescending and exclusionary. It’s often used to refer to a group as if they’re different or separate from the speaker, which can feel quite alienating. It tends to generalize and stereotype a group, making them feel othered and marginalized. It’s a subtle way of reinforcing divisions between “us” and “them.”
#12 “Indian Giver”
This phrase might come up when someone takes back a gift, but it’s actually pretty offensive. It comes from a misunderstanding of Native American culture and implies that they were untrustworthy. It’s a term that’s rooted in ignorance and disrespect, and using it today perpetuates those old, harmful stereotypes about Native Americans.
#13 “Grandfathered In”
This term sounds pretty harmless, right? But it actually has a really dark history. It comes from post-Civil War laws that allowed white voters to bypass new restrictions that were meant to keep Black voters from voting. It’s a reminder of a time when laws were designed to maintain racial inequalities, so using it casually today can be pretty insensitive.
#14 “Sold Down the River”
You might hear this phrase when someone feels betrayed, but it’s actually really offensive. It comes from the days of slavery when slaves were literally sold down the Mississippi River to even harsher conditions. It’s a stark reminder of a brutal past, and using it in everyday conversation trivializes the suffering of those who endured it.
#15 “Crippled”
This term used to be a common way to refer to someone with a physical disability, but now it’s considered very offensive. It reduces a person to their disability and carries a lot of negative connotations. Using “crippled” can make people feel dehumanized and overlooked, so it’s better to use respectful, person-first language instead.
#16 “Mumbo Jumbo”
When we say something is “mumbo jumbo” to dismiss it as nonsense, we’re actually using a term that originally referred to West African religious practices. It’s a way of trivializing and mocking other cultures. This phrase carries a history of colonial attitudes that disrespected and devalued African traditions.
#17 “Hooligan”
Calling someone a “hooligan” to mean they’re rowdy or violent might seem harmless, but it actually has a specific ethnic history. It originally referred to a particular Irish family and by extension, Irish people in general, suggesting they were troublemakers. Using it today can perpetuate old ethnic stereotypes that painted Irish immigrants in a negative light.
#18 “Peanut Gallery”
You might have heard someone refer to a group of people as the “peanut gallery” when they’re being rowdy or loud, right? But here’s the thing: its history isn’t so innocent. Back in the day, the “peanut gallery” referred to the cheapest and crummiest seats in a theater, usually where Black patrons were segregated. It’s a reminder of a time when Black people were marginalized and segregated in public spaces.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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