So I've gotten into a debate with some coworkers about the term "Hajji". It was my understanding, as it has been relayed to me be friends and family who have served in the sandbox, as a term that refers to enemy combatants in Iraq. Much like "Charlie" in Vietnam (Viet-Cong / Victor Charlie). Others are saying it is a derogatory term for all Arabs. Now, in the literal sense, a Hajji is someone who has made the trip to Mecca.
The *only* reference I can see to this being offensive is from Generation Kill, an HBO mini-series. And I'm not going to listen to a cited reference from Wikipedia, which only mentions Generation Kill using it in an offensive manner.
/idle curiosity
Is this an offensive term?
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Is this an offensive term?
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
As the term is used by some of the younger folks that I know, yes the term is offensive. In their case it is used interchangeably with towel-head, rag-head, and other more offensive terms.
Usage may be a guide. In this case, it seems to be one used to dehumanize the opponents we face in the ME. Terms used in that fashion will usually be deemed offensive by someone.
BTW, I think you may be confusing "hadji" with "hajji" where "hadji" is defined by the Urban Dictionary as "used as slang by troops in Iraq to describe an Iraqi citizen. Usually used in an offensive context" and "hajji" is someone who has successfully completed the Hajj.
Usage may be a guide. In this case, it seems to be one used to dehumanize the opponents we face in the ME. Terms used in that fashion will usually be deemed offensive by someone.
BTW, I think you may be confusing "hadji" with "hajji" where "hadji" is defined by the Urban Dictionary as "used as slang by troops in Iraq to describe an Iraqi citizen. Usually used in an offensive context" and "hajji" is someone who has successfully completed the Hajj.
Re: Is this an offensive term?
Any term used in a derogatory manner can be offensive. If I called you a 'gun nut' and meant it as a slam, then it would be offensive to you. However, using the term in a fun jesting manner as in "Oh, you are just a gun nut like me" would not be.
The best bet is to not use any type of slang term when referring to a race or nationality as they can too easily be misconstrued as a slam against someone.
The best bet is to not use any type of slang term when referring to a race or nationality as they can too easily be misconstrued as a slam against someone.
Keith
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Psalm 82:3-4
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Re: Is this an offensive term?
Well put Keith.Diplomacy is the Art of Letting Someone Have Your Way
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
Thanks for the input folks! I agree, context is the key and it's best to just avoid any word that could possibly be construed in an offensive manner.
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
My Iraqi Freedom vet son-in-law said he thought the term "Hadji" came from the cartoon Johnny Quest and was intended to be a non or less offensive term than some others used.
Re: Is this an offensive term?
"hadji" and "hajji" are the same word. There is no standard method of transliteration from Arabic to English, so there are many variant English spellings of the same Arabic word. E.g. Mohammed, Muhammed, bin Saud, ibn Saud, etc. Some variants seem to gain favor as the primary, some get a politically correct cachet (e.g. "muslim" vs "moslem.") Urban dictionary is useful to keep up on current slang, but I would NOT use it as a source of good English language practice or knowledge... 
When I was a kid, I read a book, a novel, about a young Arab lad who came to America with the camels that the US military experimented with as alternatives to horses and mules in the western US. The youngster had already been to Mecca, so his name was Hadji Ali. When he got to the US and was asked his name upon landing, the agent wrote down what he heard, and for the rest of his time in the US the kid was known as "Hi Jolly."
(which was the name of the book).
As others noted, the context, usage, and historical period of a word goes a long way towards determining whether it is offensive or not.
When I was a kid, I read a book, a novel, about a young Arab lad who came to America with the camels that the US military experimented with as alternatives to horses and mules in the western US. The youngster had already been to Mecca, so his name was Hadji Ali. When he got to the US and was asked his name upon landing, the agent wrote down what he heard, and for the rest of his time in the US the kid was known as "Hi Jolly."
(which was the name of the book).As others noted, the context, usage, and historical period of a word goes a long way towards determining whether it is offensive or not.
USAF 1982-2005
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
To shed some light, the context in which it was used was a discussion about AK-47 accuracy and the exact statement was:
putting it back...
I took the term hadji/hajji to be an all encompassing term for the enemy combatants in Iraq...I know there are other derogatory terms used, which I know to be very offensive. I still, even knowing what I know about the word now, don't know if it's really all that offensive. I'm just going to refrain from using it to err on the side of caution.Doesn't stop the hadjis in Iraq. It's all spray and pray
putting it back...
Last edited by pbwalker on Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
sorry...I'll edit my posts...usa1 wrote:im offended
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
i hope you know that i was just kidding....pbwalker wrote:sorry...I'll edit my posts...usa1 wrote:im offended
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
Jocularity runs rampant with usa1!usa1 wrote:i hope you know that i was just kidding....pbwalker wrote:sorry...I'll edit my posts...usa1 wrote:im offended
Diplomacy is the Art of Letting Someone Have Your Way
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Re: Is this an offensive term?
Joe , is that one of those words you kids are using these days ?joe817 wrote:Jocularity runs rampant with usa1!usa1 wrote:i hope you know that i was just kidding....pbwalker wrote:sorry...I'll edit my posts...usa1 wrote:im offended
Glock Armorer - S&W M&P Armorer
Re: Is this an offensive term?
darn...it's been a busy day today. I'll put it back. lolusa1 wrote:i hope you know that i was just kidding....pbwalker wrote:sorry...I'll edit my posts...usa1 wrote:im offended
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