Nick Hull wrote:
In article ,
"John W. Kennedy" wrote:

It came from a period when even Jews felt the word "Jew" was faintly
distasteful, for reasons that are unknown to me. "Hebrew" was the usual
euphemism; I suppose "anti-Hebraic" sounded silly.

Apparently the worst insult you can heap on a jew is to call him a jew.
I don't know why; I don't mind being called an american.

Hence no doubt the ghastly euphemism (predating PC) - "jewish
gentleman". As in "Abe Cohen is a Jewish gentleman." Instead of "Abe
Cohen is a jew."