It depends a great deal upon the inflection and phraseology used. “Gringo” can be perfectly OK, but “gringo chingada” (with a sneer) definitely NOT. Interestingly, Canucks are rarely referred to as ‘Gringos’, which I learned after borrowing a guy’s backpack with a Canadian flag emblem, and wearing Birkenstocks with white socks, eh?
It seems to me that the group being referred to gets to define what’s offensive. I’m not sure I’m 100% on board with that concept. “Colored” and “Negro” were at one time the preferred & respectful terms for black people; not so nowadays. And “Chicano” has gone in and out of vogue in my lifetime. I can personally attest that “gringo” has been used as an insult despite how Lalo/Junco may mean it. I have also heard the N word used without any derisive intent (by ignorant persons, to be sure). Bottom line: can we all agree to try NOT to take offense unless we know offense was intended?
I thought ‘gringo’ came from a song the Americans sang during the Mexican-American War: Green grow the Lilacs……. It was a perjoritive name used against Anglos.
Templo S.U.D. about 4 years ago
I’m not Hispanic based upon my GoComics user display name. It’s Portuguese too, but I’m not natively Lusophone either.
scote1379 Premium Member about 4 years ago
Calling a American a Gringo is the same as calling a American a Yank or a Yankee , It’s all in how its said .
DaBoogadie about 4 years ago
I’m a Day-Glo white gringo…I blame my parents. Socially, I more closely resemble a bag of Skittles.
pathfinder about 4 years ago
“Gringo”, historically, refers to the green jackets worn by invading American forces and was (and may still be,) a pejorative reference.
Serial Pedant about 4 years ago
It depends a great deal upon the inflection and phraseology used. “Gringo” can be perfectly OK, but “gringo chingada” (with a sneer) definitely NOT. Interestingly, Canucks are rarely referred to as ‘Gringos’, which I learned after borrowing a guy’s backpack with a Canadian flag emblem, and wearing Birkenstocks with white socks, eh?
ComicsBinger Premium Member about 4 years ago
I am the only gringa in my neighborhood and I like this neighborhood. Just saying. Gringa vieja loca
Bruce1253 about 4 years ago
Not PC Cuco Rocha, it has become a derogatory term in its use.
FireMedic about 4 years ago
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/07/209266300/who-exactly-is-a-gringo
MikeStiles1 about 4 years ago
I secretly love how well he nailed “Malibu Dude”
eromlig about 4 years ago
It seems to me that the group being referred to gets to define what’s offensive. I’m not sure I’m 100% on board with that concept. “Colored” and “Negro” were at one time the preferred & respectful terms for black people; not so nowadays. And “Chicano” has gone in and out of vogue in my lifetime. I can personally attest that “gringo” has been used as an insult despite how Lalo/Junco may mean it. I have also heard the N word used without any derisive intent (by ignorant persons, to be sure). Bottom line: can we all agree to try NOT to take offense unless we know offense was intended?
spaced man spliff about 4 years ago
I thought ‘gringo’ came from a song the Americans sang during the Mexican-American War: Green grow the Lilacs……. It was a perjoritive name used against Anglos.
Daeder about 4 years ago
“Dear Cuco, stop your cultural appropriation of my tacos!”
— Tucker Carlson