Is the term 'Polak' derogatory??

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 06:34 #1
I'm sorry for my ignorance but i really don't know how the Polish view the word 'Polak' is it a derogatory term used for 'Polish' or just the American equivalent. I have said it around Polish people before and one girl didn't react well, i'm not sure if its a personal thing or a general thing. An explanation of sorts would be appreciated as i don't want to offend people without meaning too.

AmathystThreads: 30 Posts: 3,968 Joined: Nov 10, 06 ♀	Jul 23, 07, 06:36 #2
in short, yes it is offensive to Polish people. If ya lookin to impress the ladies, I wouldnt use that one again...

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 06:38 #3
ok thanks for the heads up, i just wasn't sure :)

slwkkThreads: 3 Posts: 249 Joined: Mar 31, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 11:11 #4
Quoting: tornado2007 ok thanks for the heads up, i just wasn't sure :) yeah better say Polish or just Pole(s)

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 11:12 #5
ok kool i apprieciate the answers i just wasn't sure, no offense meant

helloThreads: 37 Posts: 1,104 Joined: Dec 5, 06 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 11:15 #6
I don't think the term "Polak" (which means "a Polish man" or a "Pole" and is used in everyday language in Poland) is derogatory at all. If anything "Polack" sounds more offensive than "Polak."

♂

Jul 23, 07, 12:34 #7

I'm Russian. The Russians as well as Ukranians call Poles only Polak (more exactly "Poljak") and Polka (female).
I'm sure this term is used since 18 century at least (Lach before).
It is used without any derrogatory sense. It is quite neutral. No Pole who speak Russian or Ukranian notice any negative in this word. No Pole told me he found himself offended when Russians or Ukranians spoke about him as Polak or her as Polka.

Osiedle_Ruda

Jul 23, 07, 13:34 #8

Can I assume that you are referring to the term "Polack" rather than "Polak" or "Polka"?

I believe that the former has derogatory use, in the USA at least, but I've never heard it used it in the UK. The latter two simply mean "Polish male/female" respectively, and I can't imagine how they would be considered offensive, as they are the usual terms for a Polish man or woman.

Unless you were using it in an offensive context, such as e.g. "ty pierdolony Polak", but an English speaker would hardly be likely to be using the word like that, would they, and I don't think the OP used it like that either.

slwkkThreads: 3 Posts: 249 Joined: Mar 31, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 16:10 #9
Quoting: Osiedle_Ruda Can I assume that you are referring to the term "Polack" rather I was thinking about 'polack' word when I replied... sorry. polak/polka is ok, but it's kind a weird if you mix languages... speak English or Polish ;)

King SobieskiThreads: 7 Posts: 1,106 Joined: Jan 22, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 17:28 #10
i dont think polak is derogatory at all. i have even seen an accounting firm called "pol-acc", quite funny actually.

♂

Edited by: Matyjasz Jul 23, 07, 17:38 #11

The word Polak, as stated before, means a Polish man, so the meaning is not offensive. However, if its going to be used often in a negative way, there’s a big posibility that it will become a derogatory term. It's just like with the word Paki. Why is it considered offensive? It's just an abbreviation of the word Pakistani, isn’t it? Or the word Redneck. What’s so offensive about having a red neck? :confused: Personally I wouldn’t want it to become a derogatory name, so tornado, you are welcome to use it in a positive context as much as you can. :)

♂

Jul 23, 07, 17:43 #12

Quoting: Matyjasz

The word Polak, as stated before, means a Polish man, so the meaning is not offensive. However, if its going to be used often in a negative way, there’s a big posibility that it will become a derogatory term.

In Russia and Ukraine it seems to be not so by the mere fact that for today it is the only name for Pole. Formerly in 17-18 centuries Poles were also called Lachs but this is quite an obsolet for today Russian and Ukranian languages.

♀

Jul 23, 07, 17:48 #13

Quoting: Matyjasz

It's just like with the word Paki.

I've often wondered about this. I would assume, following the rule that made "Paki" offensive, that "Scot" or "Jock" will become offensive and therefore not "PC". I know people who find "Jock" an offensive term towards Scottish people but I do not think this is offensive. Its actually Scottish for "John" so probably is on the same line as Polak at the moment.

♂

Jul 23, 07, 17:53 #14

Quoting: truhlei

In Russia and Ukraine it seems to be not so by the mere fact that for today it is the only name for Pole. Formerly in 17-18 centuries Poles were also called Lachs but this is quite an obsolet for today Russian and Ukranian languages.

Not only by Ukrainians and Russians but also by Turks and Tatars... Well generally by our eastern neighbors and Poland was very often called Lechistan. For example king John III Sobieski was called "The Lion of the Lechistan".

♂

Jul 23, 07, 18:01 #15

Quoting: PolskaDoll

I've often wondered about this. I would assume, following the rule that made "Paki" offensive, that "Scot" or "Jock" will become offensive and therefore not "PC". I know people who find "Jock" an offensive term towards Scottish people but I do not think this is offensive. Its actually Scottish for "John" so probably is on the same line as Polak at the moment.

Basically words are just words, it's the context in what their are being used that determines if their are going to be considered offensive or not. It would be a pity if the word Scot would also become an offensive word but sometimes we just can't do anything about it. :(

♂

Jul 23, 07, 18:02 #16

Quoting: Matyjasz

Not only by Ukrainians and Russians but also by Turks and Tatars...

Is it possible that settlers from these countries put this word into use in the West?
As to offensive meaning, there are some other examples. Russians call a Jew as Evrej. A word Zyd also exists but only in offensive meaning in Russian. Only an antisemit cal call Jew in such way.
As to West Slavs as far as I know that is the only word that means Jew ant it is not offensive. It is quite neutral

MatyjaszThreads: 2 Posts: 1,786 Joined: Jul 20, 06 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 18:08 #17
Quoting: truhlei Is it possible that settlers from these countries put this word into use in the West? I guess it is possible, but I'm not an expert on that issue. Quoting: truhlei As to West Slavs as far as I know that is the only word that means Jew ant it is not offensive. It is quite neutral Yes, this is the only word for Jews here in Poland and definitely is a neutral one.

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07 ♀	Jul 23, 07, 18:11 #18
Quoting: Matyjasz It would be a pity if the word Scot would also become an offensive word It most certainly would be a pity. Luckily, at the moment it seems to a proud word used by Scots - "I am a Scot". but I have heard "Scot" used in a derogatory way - sad, but true.

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 23, 07, 18:56 #19
Well thanks everybody for your help with this subject, it just goes to show, you learn something everyday once again THANKS :)

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 07:24 #20
I think the answer is you called a Polish girl a Polish MAN. If I was her, I might be slightly offended.

ola123	Edited by: ola123 Jul 25, 07, 09:37 #21
Polak in polish means Pole so its no offensife although it is seen as offensive when used in foreign language in place of "Pole" as Polak or Polack. Polak is not offensive only in polish language. Lachy and Przyrowie is offensive. Slav I find offensive too but I dont know if I should,

♂

Edited by: truhlei Jul 25, 07, 12:19 #22

Quoting: ola123

Lachy and Przyrowie is offensive.

Quite an interesting phenomenon. In 17 century Lach was the only term in Russian for Roman Catholic szlachtic from the Crown. Sometimes Russians called Roman Catholics from Litwa also az Lachy. That was quite neutral and the only term for Poles.
Now it may be derrogatory in Russian but not in all cases (for example for Russian historian it is quite neutral and historical). As to its derrogatory sense now, it in my opinion came from West Ukraine. It could be also neutra there but some old west Ukranians hated all Poles since Austrian period.
As to Russians they seem to know nothing of derrogative names of Poles. Sometimes the expression Pszek is used but very few Russians know it (I learned it first when I was 42 years old from a Polish article). That occures because Russian man in the street knows very little about Poles and doesn't have contacts with them at all and Rissian mass media inform only about meal problem and few Polish activities in EU. As to antimissil challenge, it is described as complete USA creation. You see, no possibility to invent any derrogative name

♂

Jul 25, 07, 12:34 #23

Quoting: ola123

Polak in polish means Pole so its no offensife although it is seen as offensive when used in foreign language in place of "Pole" as Polak or Polack. Polak is not offensive only in polish language.

Thank you Ola for the contribution i find all this very helpful and i will have to withdraw some of my harsh comments about you in previous posts, so here i APOLOGISE to you for those.

thnx

p.s. i wasn't calling a Polish girl a polak just poles in general

ola123	Jul 25, 07, 12:37 #24
Quoting: tornado2007 Thank you Ola for the contribution i find all this very helpful and i will have to withdraw some of my harsh comments about you in previous posts, so here i APOLOGISE to you for those. thnx no problem tornado, I dont care too much of opinions of strangers on the net about me but in fact Im pleased to read your comment now ;).

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 13:34 #25
Quoting: ola123 no problem tornado, I dont care too much of opinions of strangers on the net about me but in fact Im pleased to read your comment now ;). Hay if your going to band opinions about like i do then you have to have the balls to admit when your wrong and publicly apologise or admit your wrong :)

♂

Jul 25, 07, 14:42 #26

Quoting: tornado2007

I'm sorry for my ignorance but i really don't know how the Polish view the word 'Polak' is it a derogatory term used for 'Polish' or just the American equivalent.

Think of it this way:

A black guy wouldn't want you calling him a n*gg*r unless you, yourself are black.

It's kinda the same with Polak and Polish people. You'll hear us calling each other Polaks a few times (in Polish), but if you aren't one you shouldn't be saying it, especially in English.

ZgubionyThreads: 21 Posts: 2,037 Joined: Oct 20, 06 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 14:45 #27
Quoting: ArturSzastak Think of it this way: A black guy wouldn't want you calling him a nggr unless you, yourself are black. Definitely not the same. The PL people in NJ that I know aren't offended by it either. I say it in front of my girlfriend and she doesn't even care. It all depends on the context I guess.

tornado2007Threads: 20 Posts: 3,497 Joined: Jul 11, 07 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 14:47 #28
OMG i'm confused, although it seems its the context and language in what i say the word 'Polak'

ArturSzastakThreads: 6 Posts: 828 Joined: Feb 16, 07 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 14:53 #29
I'd like to know when Polak became an insult anyway. Did people forget what it even means. All Polak means is "person hailing from Poland" Quoting: Zgubiony It all depends on the context I guess. That too, but would you like some random guy you don't know calling you a Polak? It also depends on what kind of person you are, too, passive or aggressive.

BubbaWooThreads: 46 Posts: 4,438 Joined: Sep 26, 06 ♂	Jul 25, 07, 14:55 #30
Quoting: ArturSzastak All Polak means is "person hailing from Poland" glad someone finally took the time to point that out...

POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Unanswered \| Archives
POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Poland and Polish Community	Witamy, Guest \| PF Members \| Gold Members

Home \| Unanswered \| Archives \| Random \| Statistics	Time in Poland: 16:04 / May 26
About Us \| Contact Us \| Rules, Privacy \| Poland Advertising	© 2005-12 PolishForums.com