Monday, October 27, 2008

Hmmm....offensive?

In my earlier post today I used the term "jappy" to describe a type of person. The definition of the term "jappy" as I have heard it would be a woman/young girl who is of Jewish American descent and who might be considered a "princess". I've never actually considered it to be a derogatory term. In fact, I'm kind of jealous to be honest. I know for a fact that "the gays" as I call my brother and his adorable friends LOVE japs and think they're stylish, fashionable and sassy. That they have something of a "uniform" (ie: Tory Burch flats, citizens jeans, Vineyard Vines polo, North Face fleece, LV bag) is kind of endearing. I had someone comment that the term may be construed as offensive. Thoughts?

10 comments:

Sandra said...

I don't think it is offensive. My JAP friends call themselves that and don't mind when I do!!!??? Can't wait to see what the other responses are...

Anonymous said...

I think the term JAPPY is INCREDIBLY offensive!

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

I took it in the sense you meant it, no offense taken - although as a California WASP-y sort, I'm not sure my vote counts. Does it make a difference that I am often spotted in Citizen jeans and Tory flats?

Anonymous said...

i wouldnt exactly say it was a compliment, but i have heard other jewish people say it about rich spoiled girls..

Coco said...

Not offensive at all. I had no idea my daily mom fall uniform was "jappy". Except LV, I have the Fendi.

And go with the Patagonia, the cut is way more flattering.

Nina said...

I don't think it is at all offensive. I have it many times through my one friend and I never thought of it as derogatory.

Anonymous said...

I'm a jap and use the term jappy all the time, there is no other word in the english language that can substitute, everyone knows what you mean when you say something is jappy. People need to chill. No one gets offended when you say something is waspy right?

Jessica Ryan said...

I grew up in New York City. There are more Jews per capita there than the rest of our country combined. There are Jews and there are Japs. You can be a Jewish Princess and not be Jappy. But many princesses are Jappy. Jappiness is an attitutue. Many in the NY area are from Long Island (pronounced Lawngeyeland!)

In the 80s the Japs wore Jordache and Sergio Valente with their big hair in pony tails off the side of their heads. They carried LeSportsacs and crackled their chewing gum. At prep school we were all about the different colored Ralph Lauren polo shirts and Calvin Kleins and Tretorns (I miss them!)

Some Japs tried to be preppy but it didn't work.

And some Jews were princesses and totally preppy.

Not sure how I would describe it today. I could see a Jap in NorthFace, but not necessarily Patagonia. I could see a Jap wearing Juicy and Louis... but definitely not J.Crew and would never set foot in Vineyard Vines!

News Readin' Wife said...

Although not one, I have been mistaken for one man, many, many times. And I say, not offensive.

Lulu said...

Since it's an acronym..is it even possible to be offensive?

Sorta like yuppie and wasp-y and other various acronyms...

I think you're fine!!