I was out and about at a university I will be teaching at next year the other day. In the office they had a box of biscuits, produced by Nestle US called "Nips"... I did a triple take...
I'm not quite sure I know what to think of it... I somehow don't think the US is likely to sell "gringo" or "nigger" biscuits, not quite sure why Nips is acceptable... Mr/ Ms Nip, like Austraia's Mr Coon of Coon cheese fame? I also had to wonder why, why on earth does the English office not twig to this...
11 comments:
Uh-oh.
PS: The word that makes me cringe, snap and snarl is "Japs".
PPS: What's your take on "gaijin"? It's never bothered me, but it's obvious that it makes my Japanese friends uncomfortable.
You know in Aus, "Japs" is sometimes used - mostly by older people - with no sense of being derogatory. Akin to Brits or Aussies or Scots. It's going out though. There was actually a world series cricket TV ad in around 1983 that had a chant about "The Pakis (Pakistan) the Windies (West Indians).
Youtube is magnificent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0EGzyOGBOM
Gaijin - depends how it's used. Like most "racial" words it can be venemous, but I think not necessarily. Hiro's family often use gaijin san and their intention is quite polite. It can be used badly / disrespectfully by both foreigners and Japanese. IMO
Produced in Japan for sale in Japan or produced in the US for sale in Japan?
Either way... Seriously?!??! Yikes.
It's made in the US, I assume for local consumption as well as export.
Wow.
http://www.nestleusa.com/Brands/Chocolate/Nips.aspx
This is the website.
The website says they are 70 plus years old, which means they probably predate any other meanings of the word. I'm guessing the decision was this made to keep the original name despite whatever connotations it now has. Especially with a large company like Nestlé, they'd value the tradition and history of the products. I wonder if they have gotten complaints?
As an American, the first thing I thought of when seeing Nips is nipples. I can assure you that pretty much the only Americans who know that Nippon is Japan's name are really old, lived during WW2 and know that "nips" is a slur. Japs is still around, but that also means Jewish American Princess.
Oh really Theresa. Intersting. Nip for me is totally vile speak and I think in Aus. still carries currency. Jap, is much less vile to my ears - it can be said without malice where Nip can't be.
The etymology dictionary says it was first recorded in 1942.
Pity my grandfather isn't still arond to ask his take on when it became a recognisable slur.
And nip = nipple... I guess so... and they are somewhat nipple like in their appearance!
Hi, I like this nips and I love it since from my schooling and I hope that I will stand in its quality and that makes it to withstand still.
Japan market
Post a Comment