13 Everyday Phrases With Offensive Histories
This article explains 13 common phrases that have offensive or harmful origins that many people are unaware of.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Language carries history, and some everyday expressions come from racist, violent, or discriminatory contexts. While many people use these phrases casually, their origins reveal painful truths. Understanding where these words come from helps us choose language more thoughtfully.
1. Peanut Gallery
NBC Television on Wikimedia Commons
The term “peanut gallery” originally referred to the cheapest section of theaters in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This area was often where Black patrons were forced to sit. The phrase was used in a dismissive and derogatory way. Today, it is used to mean unhelpful critics, but its history is tied to segregation.
2. Sold Down the River
D Gore on Wikimedia Commons
This phrase comes from the time of American slavery. Enslaved people who were “sold down the river” were sent to harsher plantations in the Deep South. It meant betrayal and severe suffering. The casual use of the phrase ignores its violent past.
3. No Can Do
Eothan on Wikimedia Commons
The phrase “no can do” originated in the 19th century. It mocked Chinese immigrants by imitating broken English. It became a common saying but was rooted in racism. Using the phrase today continues a history of stereotyping.
4. Grandfathered In
Daniel Schwen on Wikimedia Commons
The term comes from “grandfather clauses” used in the American South after the Civil War. These laws allowed poor white men to vote if their grandfathers had voting rights, while blocking Black men. The phrase is now used in business and policy to mean exceptions to new rules. Its history, however, is directly linked to racial discrimination.
5. Long Time No See
Benedicte Wrensted on Wikimedia Commons
This phrase was originally a mocking imitation of the way Native Americans and Chinese immigrants were thought to speak English. It was a way of belittling non-native speakers. Over time, it became a friendly greeting in casual use. Its origin reflects stereotypes about other cultures.
6. Master Bedroom
Chris Light on Wikimedia Commons
The term “master bedroom” came into use in the early 20th century. Many historians argue that it connects back to slavery and the role of the “master” in the household. The word choice reflects power and ownership. Some real estate groups now prefer “primary bedroom” instead.
7. Gyp or Gypped
Touam (Hervé Agnoux) on Wikimedia Commons
This slang term means to cheat or swindle. It comes from “Gypsy,” a derogatory word for the Romani people. The phrase paints an entire ethnic group as dishonest. It is still casually used without recognition of its offensive roots.
8. Cakewalk
The Playgoer on Wikimedia Commons
The “cakewalk” was a dance performed by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century. They created it to mock the formal dances of white slave owners. White audiences later adopted it, often turning it into racist minstrel shows. The phrase now means something easy, but its history is tied to slavery and ridicule.
9. Paddy Wagon
Manrat Thiusthas on Wikimedia Commons
“Paddy wagon” refers to police vans used to transport prisoners. The word “Paddy” was a slur for Irish people, who were stereotyped as criminals in the 19th century. The phrase carried anti-Irish prejudice. While still in use, it reflects a history of discrimination.
10. Rule of Thumb
Joshua Tree National Park on Wikimedia Commons
The origin of this phrase is debated, but one claim is that it referred to an old English law allowing a man to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Historians argue about whether this law actually existed, but the association spread. The phrase has since been separated from that history. Still, the story linked to domestic violence makes it problematic.
11. Spirit Animal
Kandukuru Nagarjun on Wikimedia Commons
The term comes from Indigenous spiritual traditions. It refers to sacred connections with animals in certain Native American cultures. Using it casually to describe personal traits or favorite animals disrespects its cultural meaning. Many Indigenous groups consider its misuse offensive.
12. Hip Hip Hooray
Peder Severin Krøyer on Wikimedia Commons
The cheer “hip hip hooray” is widely used in celebrations today. However, some scholars link its roots to anti-Jewish rallies in 19th-century Europe, where mobs used “hep hep” chants during attacks. While this link is debated, the phrase carries a troubling history. Most people use it innocently, unaware of these origins.
13. Uppity
Frederick Whitman Glasier on Wikimedia Commons
The word “uppity” was used in the American South as a racist insult. White people used it to describe Black people who did not “know their place” or who challenged racial hierarchies. It later entered general use to mean arrogant or snobbish. Its history, however, is rooted in racism.