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[5] It is unclear whether the author intended to evoke more than the place near Ulysses, New York by the name "Podunk". a phrase for a small or rural town that was popularized by the movie "The French Connection" in 1971, starring Gene Hackman.The film was about a drug smuggling operation that had french connections in mid-state New York. Until, one day, things change: The scenery turns gray; the people lose their charm. Which one to choose? Too many people work in the city and live just outside of it, so they move a little bit farther out to escape the high density living. Author Rudyard Kipling is pictured, circa 1910. in fact, in the 1940's text, the term is used as a slang word to describe a very common sleeper - maybe ruined - , not a Pullmann!thank you again, it increases my english knowledge! "And this book was considered authoritative. Let's start using the proper terms, like Inuit. This suggests that vulgar has a fairly narrow meaning related to a sort of ignorant crudeness, while offensive is an extremely broad concept that may apply to practically anything toward which one feels any resentment or repugnance. This is a late 1800's term used by British colonial soldiers to refer to the members of an East African tribe. Podunk, Michigan, the south eastern portion of the Village of Manchester, Michigan centered on the current village offices, formal before consolidation with the western portion "Manchester" changed in attempts to improve community image, the concurrent USPS designation of the Village of Manchester, Michigan zip code 48158. (Sometimes "Pullman" could be on both ends.). Context is key though. ", Podunk, village in Massachusetts or locality in Connecticut, Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. Where is Podunk Oklahoma? Hayakawa, Choose the Right Word: A Modern Guide to Synonyms (1968) doesn't discuss derogatory, but it too parks vulgar and offensive in separate word groups: obnoxious, hateful, odious, offensive The words in this list are applied to a person or thing which arouses dislike, distaste, hostility, or opposition. By 1934, Webster's defined it as "an imaginary small towntypical of placid dullness.". ', He also had other holdings "neer Podunk," and "on ye highway leading to Farmington.". Podunk: what is it? What does it mean? - definder-gw.qc.to At Michigan an interpretive guide called "What Students Should Know " went beyond the scope of the actual code in saying that even a, The woman also alleged that Bear-McClard had addressed her using, The affidavit listed seven unnamed victims, who relayed accounts of exploitation and abuse, including, Earlier complaints accused Bourne of making, Post the Definition of derogatory to Facebook, Share the Definition of derogatory on Twitter. A website for the property says, "Oak Alley as a sugar plantation was built by and relied on enslaved men, women and children.". Send us feedback about these examples. Countless times in the movie, they used slang phrases such as "podunk" or "pough town" to describe the area. It is listed in the oldest Webster's Dictionary as such, (plus, I'm from there!!) This was all based on actual happenings and the small, rural town known as Poughkeepsie was the actual setting in both real life and in the movie. Howdy Doody, Bob Smith as Buffalo Bob Smith entertains the "Peanut Gallery" on an episode of "Howdy Doody.". Dictionary.com Unabridged ", Wolvengrey says there are obviously words that "reflect a racist attitude towards indigenous people" but Podunk doesn't seem to be one of them. Checks and balances in a 3 branch market economy. The aroma of wine made from Concord grapes is often described as "foxy," a wine term as, In Powell's memoir, Lemann points out, terms like "expert" and "academic" are clearly, Unfortunately, the codes were badly explained and ham-handedly enforced. "But when he got to Eastern areas, there wasn't any information.". Derogatory Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster "We need to dig deeper and understand where the phrases and words we use come from because if we don't we are being complicit in perpetuating the racist systems that are embedded in our language.". So, "vulgar" and its derivatives all kind of mean the same, right? dunk (pdngk) n. Slang A small isolated town, region, or place that is regarded as unimportant. It became a derogatory way to refer to natural hair texture of non-white people throughout Africa, Cedric Burrows, author of "Rhetorical Crossover: The Black Rhetorical Presence in White Culture," told ABC News. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms (1984) puts the three words in three separate clusters of related terms, suggesting that the three are not especially similar in meaning. It happens on every road trip you're driving from city to city, natural wonder to natural wonder. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Business, Economics, and Finance. To me the essence of podunk, however, is the notion of "country bumpkin'. While the phrase sitting "Indian style" is often associated with stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans, some experts believe the phrase means "lotus position," a cross-legged meditation pose with roots in India. This phrase comes from a longer children's rhyme: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe / Catch a tiger by the toe / If he hollers let him go / Eenie, meenie miney, moe, This modern, inoffensive version comes from a similar, older one, where n---er replaces tiger, according to Vox. Is there a generic term for these trajectories? July 2, 2022 . Though the origin of this word is uncertain, experts believe the word derives from the word "Maamajomboo" from the Mandinka people of West Africa. The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE. Of Algonquian origin. The people there are probably a little creepy. And folks who live in the various Podunks are pretty well-practiced at pushing back against its common usage. There are exceptions for instance, we know that "Connecticut" means "long river." remarks.". Similarly, people might not realize that the term "uppity," nowadays used generally to refer to a stuck-up or arrogant person, was commonly used to describe Black people that "didn't know their socioeconomic place.". As this answer is long enough, I'll just try to illustrate an obvious difference with an example. Those languages. "The idea of 'paddy' is a police car that comes around to grab up Irish people who are no good drunk criminals, so it deals with a historical stereotype of Irish people as low lives, Kelly told ABC News. "You have to consider how someone else feels when you use these terms," he said. A minor scale definition: am I missing something? It's that simple. My phone's touchscreen is damaged. The little burg in Eastern Idaho from where I hail could technically be called a Podunk town -- and frequently is by its residents -- but to those who live there it is the greatest place on earth to live and anything but insignificant. But how did "Podunk" come to stand in for any tiny, forgotten whistle-stop of a town? Podunk - definition of Podunk by The Free Dictionary 78 Synonyms & Antonyms of DEROGATORY - Merriam Webster ", "South Windsor Creates 2.5-Mile Trail System Through Wapping Park", "Podonque Cemetery Town of Rushford, Allegany County, NY", "Podunk Pond Fishing near Dixfield, Maine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Podunk&oldid=1137232740, Podunk, Connecticut, an area of the town of, Three places, over 100 miles (160km) apart, in, Podunk, Michigan, a community on Podunk Lake in, Podunk, Michigan, an alternative name for. Most likely a Pullman car in that service would be an older (but still well maintained) car, an early heavyweight or perhaps (in 1940) even a woodsided car with a steel underframe. Derogatory quickly took on the additional meaning disdainful, disparaging, as may be seen in the words frequent use in derogatory comment. derogatory, depreciatory, depreciative, disparaging, slighting, pejorative mean designed or tending to belittle. Slang A small isolated town, region, or place that is regarded as unimportant. by a small tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting an area around the Podunk River in Hartford County, Connecticut.When the word was used (on the grounds of its amusing sound) in a series of letters featuring the supposed small town of Podunk, published in the US in 1846, it gained a greater currency and took on the meaning it has retained . To answer your other question, the difference is that Slovak and Croat were never used as slurs or in derogatory manners. That's because the definition of these words and phrases have often been lost over time, experts said. Germans cheered "hep hep," a German herding call, as they forced Jews from their homes across Europe, according to Cracked. Even though Poughkeepsie may not even count as a podunk town anymore, it should always be credited for inspiring the popular phrase. 12 Common Phrases and Terms That Are Actually Racist or Offensive podunk, n. Green's Dictionary of Slang On Language - The New York Times but to tyrants I will give no quarter, The exact origin of the name is murky, but it appears that "Podunk" comes from an Algonquian word, either the name of a tribe that inhabited an area near Hartford, Connecticut, or a more generic term meaning "swampy place. Why Is It Still OK To 'Trash' Poor White People? This is a po'dunk town. [1][2][3] Podunk was first defined in an American national dictionary in 1934, as an imaginary small town considered typical of placid dullness and lack of contact with the progress of the world.[4]. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Is it the fact that it's vulgar and how do they become actual swear words? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Such cars would normally have the railroad name on the center of the letterboard in large letters, and "Pullman" in smaller letters at one end of letterboard, often over the door. According to linguistics experts, the origin of this phrase derives from the late 1800s Vaudeville era, a popular style of entertainment that included jugglers, comedians, singers and more. And, he adds, there are all kinds of words for places, both negative and positive, that get detached from their original meaning: Shangri-La, for instance, or Xanadu: "Words have interesting histories. Either way, when we refer to an entire group of people by their perceived behaviors, we trivialize their existence and culture. The term stemmed from the Bogomils, who led a religious sect during the Middle Ages called "Bulgarus." Sometimes the term implies injured feelings as a result of an affront or insult [examples omitted] and frequently it suggests the evocation of such aversion that endurance involves mental strain or moral distaste [example omitted] or it may imply a vileness (as of appearance or odor) that excites nausea or extreme disgust [example omitted]. usually used in a blank part of a conversation, or where one cannot think of a come-back. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 14:41. But that kid from Podunk, now unloading freight at the big-box store, is a universe away from Oxford and a Capuchin friar buddy. The United States Board on Geographic Names lists places named "Podunk": Nick Bacon. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964). Another difference I can see is that people can take offence to things that aren't directed at them, but to things that may just be a breach of civility or custom. "@peterbayley @ThatsLife_19 @EadesLore @lizlibra1009 There's a difference between voicing an opinion and calling someone derogatory names. To say these phrases and words are "just expressions" or to say the intent of using the word is "not meant to be racist" is not good enough, Barg explained. If it's not directly racist, it's classist and rude at the very least. "I think the jokey use of Podunk isn't really connected. Copyright 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. As you might expect from their name, none of America's various Podunks are exactly booming. But as Cohan's childhood attests, there was nothing imaginary about Podunk. Delivered to your inbox! Say 'Mmhmm'. Cows graze in a field in the Podunk section of East Brookfield, Mass. This is the big city, not Podunk. It is located six miles west of Arnett, OK, at the intersection of U.S. 60 and U.S. 283. 2023. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Today, "gyp" has become synonymous with cheating someone. Podunk (place) synonyms, Podunk (place) pronunciation, Podunk (place) translation, English dictionary definition of Podunk (place). Podunk, Vermont is fewer than fifty people, their farm animals, and a boarded-up schoolhouse. "Paddy" originated in the late 1700s as a shortened form of "Patrick," and then later a pejorative term for any Irishman. A small isolated town, region, or place that is regarded as unimportant. He says the standard source for these definitions is a man named William Bright, a linguist who in 2004 wrote a book called Native American Placenames of the United States. said Janice Agrios, chairwoman of the board of directors. And according to Arok Wolvengrey, a professor of Algonquian languages and linguistics at First Nations University of Canada, many of those languages are in danger. Though most people use the word "cretin" to refer to someone that is "insensitive" or "stupid," Merriam-Webster writes that the word used to refer to those who lives in the French-Swiss Alps, and were affected with hypothyroidism. vulgar, coarse, crude, gross, obscene These words are comparable in that they are all used when one wishes to describe the character, speech, or actions of people who have in some way offended one's sensibilities or moral standards. Podunk is not necessarily derogatory; there is an implication of insignificance but then 99.9% of all the inhabited communities in the U. S. of A. fill that bill. "This shows how in our language the simplified notions of other cultures get wrapped up in expressions we use," John Kelly, senior research editor at Dictionary.com, explained. William Lloyd Garrison. In his book, "Listening to America: An Illustrated History of Words and Phrases From Our Lively and Splendid Past," he writes, "Peanut gallery was in use in the 1880s, as a synonym for n----- gallery (1840s) or n----- heaven (1870s), the upper balcony where blacks sat, as in segregated theaters.". Explore the world's oddities every week with Ken Jennings, and check out his book Maphead for more geography trivia. Podunkers can get huffy when you question their existence. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates? Also a podunk town can be quite a bit larger than a hamlet. "Hooray" conveys just as much merriment as the full version and comes from hurrah, a version of huzzah, a "sailor's shout of exaltation.". They can deteriorate and they can sometimes become much stronger than they were in the first place.". By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. (little sense as far as I can see). Glenn Beck even defended him, citing the first lady's love of arugula. The food is suss. Even with the steady cycle of tourists they gaze at each newcomer as though he were the latest comer to Podunk. I'm tempted to think that a simple way of putting it is that something being offensive means that the derogation or vulgar offends somebody, though I'm not sure about this. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! When 1930s radio broadcaster Lowell Thomas told his listeners that there was "no such place as Podunk," he was immediately corrected by a resident of Podunk, New York, outside of Ithaca, who told him that this was like saying "there is no Santa Claus!". ", Guy 2: "Well Poughquag isn't that small, but it sure does have a lot of cows, so I guess we can call it podunk. The word plantation appeared in English in the 1400s originally meaning "plant," according to Kelly. I have an engagement to trim a deacon in Podunk this evening. 2023. Also, the birthplace of Connie Mack! <3 let's 'retard' the answers now, shall we? Akin to "flyover states," "nowheresville" and "hicksville," people use "Podunk" as a stand-in for anywhere they think doesn't have much going on. I know that's not the way in which you intended the word, but it may be helpful to point out that it's highly likely that the word "vulgar" came to have the meaning of crude or offensive and: b. Deficient in taste, consideration, or refinement American Heritage Dictionary. Language can have a positive or negative influence on who we are, and how we see other people. The terms include "peanut gallery," "plantation shutters" and "open the kimono." By Olivia Eubanks. Those languages include Fox, Cree and Ojibwe. Ghetto in a sense that it's utterly shitty in every way. boondocks. Podunk - Wikipedia This nameless comic left behind only his or her initials"R.P. Great question. 1. Slang Define: What is Podunk? - meaning and definition But a side comment on Wiktionary - ", University researchers in philosophy, sociology and other fields have spent years trying to figure this out. July 30, 2020, 1:06 AM. Guess what. American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Experts say this phrase, frequently used during the 19th and 20th centuries in American politics, refers to Native Americans who were forced into treaties that limited their mobility by placing them on reservations, so off the reservation would suggest they were placing themselves outside their allowed their legal, or social, parameters. There's considerable difference between the three listed words you asked about in your first question, so maybe you should consider including the research you've done so far. The city was incorporated on may 3, 1999. "Podunk After Pratt: Place and Placelessness in East Hartford, CT." In, Read, Allen 1939. Vulgar and obscene are similar in their suggestion of indelicacy or indecency. because the masses of people were considered crude and boarish as opposed to the elite/nobility/aristocratic/educated/privileged/wealthy. All rights reserved. To do any of these things should be considered at least slightly different from "to offend". In 1846, an anonymous columnist for the Daily National Pilot of Buffalo, New York wrote a series of humorous. Sietze Blankers on Twitter Rather than saying he didn't know what certain place names meant, Goddard says, Bright cited a man named John C. Huden, who in 1962 published a book called Indian Place Names of New England. "Wagon" naturally refers to a vehicle. What were the most popular text editors for MS-DOS in the 1980s? S.I. 2. mod. American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.. Podunks - definition of Podunks by The Free Dictionary . male actors who play psychopaths . According to Lydia Sears in an article written by Peggy Gallagher, "it was a rough, tough crossroads." Located on Bolter Creek, it was a small manufacturing community and at its peak had a population of about 100 people. You find yourself at a rest stop with no toilet paper, where the vending machine eats your last single. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. When a friendly MALE proceeds to forcfully stimulate your prostate with an OPEN alcoholic beverage bottle. But, there are distinctions among the words in many/most cases, I hope I've shown some. Podunk came into existence about 1800. NPR reports that during slavery in the US, masters in the North often sold their misbehaving slaves, sending them down the Mississippi River to plantations in Mississippi, where conditions were much harsher. People are offended much more often without intent by the offender than they are offended without intent by the derogator. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Living in a literal Podunk town can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. In 2011, Rush Limbaugh pontificated that a NASCAR audience booed Michelle Obama because she exhibited "uppity-ism." I believe a listener or reader of these would take the "derogatory" sentence to mean it's offensive to Chinese people", whereas the "offensive" sentence may be taken to mean it's both offensive to Chinese people, but in addition to that, may be seen as offensive on a more general scale; that is, offensive to people at large because racial intolerance is offensive to everyone. Derogatory may be used of one's own actions or activity that tends to detract from his reputation or to lower him in the estimation of others [examples omitted] More often the term is applied to expressions or modes of expression (as choice of words or tone of voice) and then implies an intent to detract or belittle by suggesting something that is discreditable [examples omitted], offensive, loathsome, repulsive, repugnant, revolting are comparable when they mean utterly distasteful or repellent. Negro descent; a black person. The village of Podunk looks down on the neighboring town of Hardscrabble. Although not a comprehensive list, here is a list of some commonly used phrases and their origins as identified by experts who spoke to ABC News. hmm welll.. zuppameep to u too u jerk!!! The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? The little burg in Eastern Idaho from where I hail could technically be called a Podunk town -- and . Denver Harbor is a historic community located in eastern Houston, Texas, United States near the Houston Ship Channel. 2023 Cond Nast. Brunch Query: What Does It Really Mean To 'Go Dutch'? A racially segregated audience sits for a concert at the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Ill., July 16, 1943. Etymologists have traced the name back to an Algonquian word for a "marshy meadow," and colonial towns named Podunk popped up in Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. I think I've gotten the answer I've wanted. His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project. The terms podunk and Podunk Hollow in American English denote or describe an insignificant, out-of-the-way, or even completely fictitious town. Huden "would look through all this amateur literature and find a [place] name, find a translation, and pick the one he liked," Goddard explains. derogatory." However, in the segregated South, seats in the back or upper balcony levels were mostly reserved for Black people, according to author Stuart Berg Flexner, an expert on the origins of American phrases. Sorry if this is perceived wrong. Both derogatory, yet not vulgar or "offensive". Derogatory may be used of one's own actions or activity that tends to detract from his reputation or to lower him in the estimation of others [examples omitted] More often the term is applied to expressions or modes of expression (as . Don't believe any of it. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for Podunk. I have no idea what it would mean in railroad terms. Alternatively, others believe that the term didn't originate as a racist phrase, but instead evolved to have racist usage. First, Podunk is the name of a few real towns. But beyond its Algonquian roots, much of the linguistic history of Podunk is kind of murky. Common areas/landmarks in Podunk: Podunk Cemetary, High Rocks, Lake Lashaway, Devil's Kitchen, Hayden Lodge, Union Chapel. Definition of podunk - Online Slang Dictionary Other sources, like Clarence Rook's book, "The Hooligan Nights," claim that Patrick Houlihan actually existed and that he was a bouncer and a thief in Ireland. The result looks like the.. Podunk, Kektucy is a city located in Satan Rock County, USA . English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Though steeped in controversy, some think the first part of this phrase relates to anti-Semitic demonstrations that started in Germany in the 19th century.