Is this considered derogatory in Mexico?
I've recently been told that the very common phrase "Mexican standoff" is considered derogatory in Mexico. I've searched a number of sites for the origin of the phrase and read a wide variety of explanations of its meaning and derivation. Is there someone from Mexico who can tell me if it's considered insulting in your country?
6 Answers
Well, the expression came into usage during the last decade of the 19th century and from what I've read it's most strongly believed to have come about in reference to Mexican American War or post-war Mexican bandits in the 19th century.
I think if an educated individual were to look at the history of the phrase and the definition of what it actually is, they could see quite obviously it's not derogatory toward the people of Mexico. However, with a boom of ignorance and over-sensitivity, particular in the current generation of people who call themselves "adults", you'll have too many people who are ignorant to the facts and will surely harass you about being a racist or rude. This second paragraph is of course my opinion. In an effort to fight ignorance I've posted the definition below, keep in mind when and how it came about.
Definition:
A Mexican standoff is most precisely a confrontation among three opponents. The tactics for such a confrontation are substantially different than for a duel, where the first to shoot has the advantage. In a confrontation among three mutually hostile participants, the first to shoot is at a tactical disadvantage. If opponent A shoots opponent B, then while so occupied, opponent C can shoot A, thus winning the conflict. Since it is the second opponent to shoot that has the advantage, no one wants to go first.
What a bunch of oversensitive nonsense. People need to relax and pull the sticks out of their collective posterior orifices!
Sincerely, The Drunken Irishman
I am not of Mexican descent, but if I were, the phrase:
Mexican standoff - a situation in which no one can emerge as a clear winner, would definitely sound racially biased.
Let's call it a US standoff and give it the same definition to see how people of United States origin feel, shall we?
I've recently been told that the very common phrase "Mexican standoff" is considered derogatory in Mexico.
I'm sorry, I don't get it, why would this phrase be considered racist? Is there an official translation for it in Spanish?
How would this phrase be used to insult someone? An example or more context would be nice, as well as who told you this? Was this person Mexican? Do they even speak Spanish?
You've peeked my curiosity. If you can provide a decent translation I have numerous friends I can ask.
My point of view has been that it is best not to use phrases that include ethic reference, particularly around people of that ethnicity. Another example would be Chinese Fire Drill (although they do have them and they are actually highly organized).
I think in the United States there is a tendency to be nervous about anything that denotes anything related to an ethnicity or group identification that is not clearly positive, for fear that someone will take it as derogatory. Especially when those groups are traditionally disadvantaged (by which I mean recipient of prejudice- I don't think anyone can argue that being a recipient of prejudice is a disadvantage in society) groups.
Case in point is the current controversy over sports teams names that refer to Native Americans (some names of which seem more offensive to me than others). As I saw in a comment somewhere- no one seems to complain about the Vikings or the Celtics. I do not know of modern day Scandinavians feel any connection to the "Viking" appellation (even though I am 1/4 Scandinavian by descent)- but I do feel connection to the Celtic label (as one might guess by my avatar/picture- that derivation is a good part of the rest of me). I believe Irish Americans were at one time a disadvantaged group, but the name only makes me root for the Celtics at times when otherwise I might have picked other teams. It does not offend me, even with the silly logos.
I personally do not see the situation that the term "Mexican Standoff" is being used to denote as anything negative- it is just a description of a real strategic quandary. Still, there are probably those that would not feel the same, and might take offense, simply based on the use of an ethnic term.
