Ethnic slur vocabularies vary in negativity, indexing derogation level of outgroups

Evidence

On the other hand, the array of ethnophaulisms used for an ethnic group can vary in valence, which indicates the negativity of the cognitive representation being used for the ethnic groups (Mullen, Rozell, & Johnson, 2000, 2001). The ethnophaulisms for some ethnic groups are relatively moderate in valence, indicating a relatively benign cognitive representation. For example, ethnophaulisms applied to Welsh immigrants in the US have tended to be relatively neutral in valence (such as “cousin jack” and “taffy”). Alternatively, the ethnophaulisms for other ethnic groups are extremely negative in valence, indicating a relatively derogatory cognitive representation. For example, ethnophaulisms applied to Greek immigrants in the US have tended to be extremely negative in valence (such as “greaseball” and “asshole-bandit”). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1282

Categorization

• CANDY: The specific slur examples (Welsh ‘cousin jack’ vs Greek ‘greaseball’) make a light, concrete conversation fact about how slur vocabularies differ by target group.