cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1194333/x-accused-of-giving-racists-impunity-after-refusing-to-bar-n-and-p-word-posts
X accused of giving racists ‘impunity’ after refusing to bar N- and P-word posts
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/14/x-racists-impunity-hate-posts
80 Comments
Archangel1313@lemmy.ca · 91 pts · 80d
Oh, man...I feel so dumb. I don't know what the "p-word" is.
beep@piefed.world · 67 pts · 80d
The racist slur “Paki”.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 51 pts · 80d
Huh til. Never heard this before. Gotta be honest tho I'm kinda surprised its a slur, don't get me wrong I won't be using it, but it does feel like a "good" shorthand for Pakistani.
REDACTED@infosec.pub · 30 pts · 80d
Seriously, I've heard people say "Pakis" as a short for Pakistani in a non-insulting way, similar to Spaniards or Aussies.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 37 pts · 80d
Funny enough it actually mentions in the Wikipedia article that most Americans are unfamiliar with the slur. I'll be honest without this thread if I heard someone say it, I would probably have used it unknowingly just assuming it was similar to Aussie or something.
This is not to make light of the slur, but if someone called me an "Ameri" I would probably just assume they're French, which might be meaner than anything they're trying to say to me.
KingKong33@lemmy.ml · 11 pts · 80d
Is Spaniard not the correct term?
turdburglar@piefed.social · 7 pts · 80d
the one person from spain that i knew told me not to use it. she said it was like using ‘chinaman’
Telodzrum@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 80d
“Spaniard” is the preferred and most-official demonym. IDK what she was on about.
turdburglar@piefed.social · 1 pts · 80d
um, being from spain.
where you from internet stranger?
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 80d
NGL I sat here for like 40 seconds wondering what you call people from Spain before remembering that Spanish can refer to both language and people.
turdburglar@piefed.social · 6 pts · 80d
indeed.
Zagorath@quokk.au · 6 pts · 80d
The bigger issue is that Spanish is an adjective, and we're looking for nouns. You can say "an Aussie" or "a Spaniard". You can't say "a Spanish".
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 80d
Non-insulting according to whom? Some people are so ingrained to racism that they don't even sound racist. It's like old people who say "negro" but don't mean to offend. They're just unconsciously recycling the racism in which they were indoctrinated.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 80d
As discussed in this thread, America doesnt really have the same historical racist context. I would not be shocked if Pakistani people here were okay with it because the context is different or i would not be shocked if American Pakistanis also didn't know. This is not a defense of the word, I will not (and really have never used it) just idly noting that context is very important.
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 1 pts · 80d
Ah, but it is such a fun word! Shortening it takes out the fun of saying the full Pakistani.
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 15 pts · 80d
Racism has different manifestations in different places.
It kind of shows how stupid it all is.
DiaDeLosMuertos@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 79d
Imagine me when I first got to Australia as an Englishman to see a big headline in the newspaper saying something like, "Pakis lose to England".
I was like, Whaaaaaaaaat !!!!!!
I've now been here 32 years and I sometimes explain to Aussies that Brits aren't allowed to use that word, which they're rather surprised about. Because as you said in your last two sentences.
Cheers.
tleb@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 80d
Here in Canada in the 00s I remember it being a really bad slur. I haven't really heard it used at all since then though
zebidiah@lemmy.ca · 13 pts · 80d
Which is hilarious, because in new England a "packy" is a package store, which is a euphemism for a liquor store.
So I got quite a few looks when I asked if we were going to "hit the packy" on the way to the party....
lastlybutfirstly@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 79d
There's an old movie on YT called Shield for Murder with a character named Packy and the subtitles censor the name.
bryndos@fedia.io · 7 pts · 80d
Very much not good in England. You might well think England did enough to fuck up that part of the world in '47. But no we still have to be a bucket load of racist cunts.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 6 pts · 80d
Its actually mildly interesting, are there other slurs that really wouldn't be slurs in another country? The F slur would be one I suppose is just a cigarette for some people?
atomicorange@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 80d
Cunt is a really nasty misogynist slur in the USA and a friendly mild ribbing in the UK and Australia.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 80d
Oh yes! This is another one good shout out!
Oppopity@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 80d
You can't say spaz in the UK.
DiaDeLosMuertos@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 79d
Lol. As an Englishman in Australia I do enjoy using that word. Spazzed out just means went a bit wild. Spastic drunk is fine too, well I think......
bryndos@fedia.io · 5 pts · 80d
Yeah "fag" is fine in context such as: "I'm just nipping out for a fag" "Can I bum a fag?"
But you can't say it to, or about, a person, well, unless you're a homophobe.
'removed' is almost always a slur though, you'd better be in that rare circumstance where you're very clearly referring to a bundle of sticks otherwise, no.
I guess 'nip' is also occasionally a racist slur for Japanese, but normally quite innocent; just something quick. or a pinch, or a wee dram.
Vaguely related, you might be interested in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari. A few British slang terms migrated out of queer-creoles into more mainstream usage , possibly via popular radio and tv.
Monument@piefed.world · 5 pts · 80d
A British comedian friend living in the U.S. used to (15-ish years ago) have a joke about asking a guy outside a bar in middle America if he could bum a fag.
He would impersonate the most southern accent he could muster and say “I don’t care. Ain’t no business of mine.” As part of a joke about cultural differences/how the U.S. could be unexpectedly wholesome.
Never asked if that was a true story. We fell out awhile ago.
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 80d
Fancy a fag?
What? You're a fag!
No mate. Fag means cigerette.
You're a cigerette!
Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 79d
Clarkson got in trouble for noticing a slant on a bridge. I didn't even realise he was being offensive.
Nora@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 80d
oh yes I will be looking at that, thanks!
edit: Another one (please someone correct any parts of this that are wrong). I believe in Korean "you" or some other way of addressing people sounds quite similar to the n-word.
quick edit 2: though I guess different languages don't really count in quite the same way, its similar though.
stsquad@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 80d
"Just going to pop outside to smoke a removed" would not raise eyebrows in the UK.
wewbull@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 80d
Nothing wrong with a good helping of removeds.
LemmyEntertainYou@piefed.social · 1 pts · 79d
Language is weird. Paki is absolutely a racist slur for Pakistani but then Brit is totally acceptable for a British person despite the two words having the exact same origin.
5too@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 79d
Isn't Brit a British term originally? I'd guess that'd the reason it's considered different
Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 79d
I was going to talk about shortening of Nigeria, but apparently the entomology is completely separate.
CovertOperative@piefed.zip · 1 pts · 79d
Entomology? I'm not sure where insects come into it.
Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 79d
My spelling was way odd. I mean Etymology.
bridgeburner@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 79d
U sure it isn't "Pajeet"? That one seems worse.
zo0@programming.dev · 11 pts · 80d
Trigger Warning!! ::: spoiler Tap for spoiler poop :::
YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 79d
How DARE you!
restingOface@quokk.au · 6 pts · 80d
P*lestine
spacegoat@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 80d
Peebug
toofpic@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 80d
Parrot people, obviously (huh, not blocked here as well!)
LordDaveTheKind@piefed.social · 60 pts · 80d
If you are a decent person, you are not on X. There is no other option.
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 80d
I login every now and then to troll. It's amazing how much of a shithole that place is.
But I agree that I shoudn't login at all.
yesman@lemmy.world · 44 pts · 80d
Came here to find out what P word was. Saw that this was England and knew immediately.
It's comforting as an American to know that Europe is still in the running for who can be the most racist.
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 16 pts · 80d
Where do you think american racism came from? It's all the same racist empire.
melsaskca@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 79d
My theory is the the British sent their criminals off to the Australian colony and the real smart criminals escaped and formed the usa. /s
Telodzrum@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 80d
Anywhere people live, there is a contender for most racist person and group.
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -21 pts · 80d
Nope. This is a denial of the reality of racism - which globally privileges pale skin over dark.
You might be able to make a similar but worthless point about "prejudice" or something, but this kind of talk about racism is just wrong and harmful.
Telodzrum@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 80d
Imagine being this dumb and obstinate at the same time.
Don’t worry buddy, I still believe you’re capable of learning and growing out of your beloved and hopelessly clutched ignorance.
I’m rooting for you.
GalacticSushi@piefed.blahaj.zone · 25 pts · 80d
But "cisgender" will get your post flagged 🙄
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 80d
Every right wing website or mod ever.
“We don’t allow [political posts, racism, etc] on this site.”
Quietly allows offhand comments that are racist and political from right wingers, quickly tell people to shut up and deletes their posts if they call out the bullshit, especially if using objective data.
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 12 pts · 79d
P word? Can't say paedophile anymore because it hurts their feelings? Should we say "person who loves children more than me" instead?
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today · 7 pts · 79d
its likely Pakistan, with of the stan. which is a slur for pakistani people.
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 79d
I wasn't aware that was a thing.
Oh how creative of the British, to create a slur that's half the name of people their heritage. Guess I'll refer to the English as Engs from now on. "Oy bruv, it's them Engs innit. Free the north of Ireland!"
elucubra@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 79d
People who lust after children
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 1 pts · 79d
No that P word. Hint:
P___
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 79d
Poser? Prick? Pussy? I don't think any of them are as bad as pedo.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 2 pts · 79d
You never played wordle? None of those are 4 letter words.
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 79d
You gave me a P and a long underscore line 🤷
So it's P * * *
I don't know, other than pedo. I give up.
But reading from the article and comments it's a British word that has something to do with Pakistanis. I'm not familiar with that word, I'm not from the UK and have never heard it during my visits there or in the British media I've watched (I'm Dutch). I knew the British in general are rather racist, but I didn't know there was such targeted hate towards the Pakistanis. Wtf did they ever do to those colonistic inbred posh fucks eh?
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 2 pts · 79d
(sorry, I didn't realize '___' render as single line)
Don't give up!
PEDO -> P _ _ _
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 79d
Yeah I got it from another reply. I didn't know that was a thing. Certainly won't say it. Fuck racism, fuck fascism.
But ok ok, I'll continue.
Porn
P O R N
NostraDavid@programming.dev · 8 pts · 79d
The_Wumpus@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 79d
Had to read the comments to figure out the p word
phoenixz@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 80d
FFS, can we stop being so difficult? WHICH P word? Penis? Pencil? Pogostick? What N word?
Can we just put the words there if we're talking about specific words, so that not your entire readership needs to collectively guess what you're talking about? Quote the words, if needed, but can we PLEASE stop censoring words, especially in news or educational context?
These days even "d**th" gets censored because oh boy o god, if somebody uses the D word, we will be in trouble!
yesman@lemmy.world · -18 pts · 80d
People on the internet who complain about "censorship" only come in two varieties.
let's hear the Nazi out
Please say the bad word, dog I'm begging you, just say it. Let me say it.
Railcar8095@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 80d
The "letter-word" thing has always been weird for me as a non native English speaker.
It reminded me to Voldemorts "He Who Shall Not Be Named" thing. I'm used to it now, but I think about it it's still a weird thing.
HiTekRedNek@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 80d
Banning the g word when? It's offensive to the Romani.
jdr@lemmy.ml · -9 pts · 80d
Genuinely 1984
BooBees@fedinsfw.app · 4 pts · 80d
Have you not read the book? It’s not a warning about being too critical of the world’s richest bigot and political insider.
Hardeehar@lemmy.world · -8 pts · 80d
So use the n and the p word, then? Feel free to express yourself on X
BooBees@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 80d
Do what now? Why would I go on that shithole? Why would I speak like a bigot? I have no idea what your point is in response to my comment. Has no one actually read that book but me? So weird.
Kushan@lemmy.world · -4 pts · 80d
You don't understand hyperbole.
BooBees@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 80d
Not before my coffee I don’t
wampus@lemmy.ca · -12 pts · 80d
Meh, X skews right-wing, sites like Lemmy skew left, every social media site uses censorship along the lines that their intended bubble-market prefers.
Not exactly news, nor surprising in any way.
Also not all that 'tech' oriented really, it's more mundane political drivel.
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 13 pts · 80d
So... Lemmy "skewing left" is the same as open racism on X? Give me a break.
It might not be surprising, but fascism is always disgusting.
wampus@lemmy.ca · -6 pts · 80d
Lemmy skews left, and censors moderate views / comments. You're generally ok in various areas to be openly hostile towards certain demographics -- typically white people, cisgendered people or men in general. You can use pejorative language to describe those groups with impunity. You can get banned from lemmy sites for questioning left-leaning narratives. Functionally, it's not that dissimilar.
Censorship is used in part to cater a site to its market niche / audience. Whether you agree/disagree with a sites censorship approach, is generally based on whether you're in that target audience / intended marketing bubble. If you've never been censored on a site for moderate views, you're just squarely in the target group.