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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Teabag: Acceptable Term Or Not?

On the Sunday thread, Lizard People took great exception to the use of the term "teabag" or "teabaggers" to refer to individuals that take part in the Tea Party movement. Unquestionably, the original intent of liberals and some media people in using the term was derogatory. The term refers to a sado-masochistic practice involving submission. However, some original Tea Party members referred to themselves as Tea Baggers and the term has become so widespread that it has taken on a new meaning, as a term that refers to the Tea Party movement. According to Wikipedia (link here, caution: slang use vulgar), "The term's growth in the political arena earned attention by the Oxford American Dictionary, and it achieved finalist status for the OAD Word of the Year." Gary Crooks, of the SR's editorial page, tells Huckleberries that he originally killed posts to the blog, A Matter of Opinion, that originally used the term. But now he's reconsidering because it usage has become widespread as a political designation. Larry Spencer called this morning to say that he rarely is offended by language. But he finds the term offensive. What do you think?

Question: Should posts that use the term "tea bag" or "tea baggers" to refer to the Tea Party movement or individuals within the movement be allowed at Huckleberries Online?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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