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