JohnH,
Oriental isn't derogatory, it just isn't appropriate when discussing people.
It would be used to describe artwork, furniture or rugs, but not people.
Asians is the term you mean to use when you use "oriental".


"John H" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 00:32:38 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 19:10:18 -0500, "Jim Carter"
wrote:


"Paul Schilter" ""paulschilter\"@comcast dot net" wrote in message
...
Jim,
Didn't know that. Where does the term Eskimos come from? I take it they
wish to be called "Inuit"?
Paul
Hi Paul:
The term " Eskimo" is taken from the Algonquin tribe language and the
meaning is "eater of raw flesh". It was an ancient name that the Inuit
detested as it was in reference to the, sometimes, act of cannibalism.
The
Inuit have always called themselves "Inuit" as a people and "Inuk" as a
person. I have traveled to Rankin Inlet in Nunavut ( Canadian Northern
Territory) to visit my niece who is a school teacher in this town. ( and
to
go fishing ) She told me of how the people react to Americans who call
them "Eskimo". They definitely don't like it at all.

That's odd. For some reason, we have a small contingent of Inuit here
in town - I think two or three of the family teach in local colleges
and at UCONN. They have never objected to the term Eskimo.

Go figure.

Later,

Tom

I've never had a Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese object at my use of the
term
'Oriental', which many say is derogatory. Perhaps your Inuit and my
Koreans,
Vietnamese, and Chinese are just very polite!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."