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{{Italic title}}
]
{{Short description|Ethnic slur}}
'''Beaner''' is a derogatory term for ] and ], though it is also sometimes directed (perhaps erroneously) at ] in general. The term is likely derived from the use of beans as a staple of the Mexican diet.
{{about|the slur|other uses|beaner (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|The Beano}}


'''''Beaner''''' is a derogatory ] originally from the ] to refer to individuals from ] or of ] heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of beaner|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/beaner|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.dictionary.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name="mouth">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/27/AR2005092701875.html |title=The Mouth of Mencia |newspaper=] |date=September 28, 2005 | first=William | last=Booth | access-date=April 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=San Diego's top Latino cop retires |work=] |date=September 1, 2005}}</ref><ref name="pedro">{{cite news |title=Pedro deflects the barbs; Racist comments don't faze Sox ace |work=] |date=September 14, 2000}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=July 31, 2000|title=You are what you eat... arguably: John Sutherland on national nicknames|work=]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,348802,00.html}}</ref><ref name="NBC">{{cite news |last1=Romero |first1=Dennis |title=The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/worst-slur-mexican-americans-still-mystery-some-n959616 |access-date=2019-02-01 |work=NBC News |date=2019-02-01}}</ref> It originates from the ] being a ] in ], such as Salsa Verde Soup or Bean Quesadilla.
The term is often used by stand-up comic ] and on his show '']''. Race relations and culture are common themes in his monologues.


== Usage ==
] had a 2003 hit single with their facetiously titled song "]".
The word was first seen in print in 1966, although the term has reportedly been in use at least since the 1940s, having evolved from previous slurs such as ''bean-eater'' (1919) and ''bean-bandit'' (1959).<ref name="mouth" /> It is one of many national and ethnic slurs that refer to a nation's cuisine, such '']'' for a German, ''spud-muncher'' for an Irish person, and ''frog'' for a French person.<ref name=":0" />


The word is considered to be one of the most offensive slurs for Mexican-Americans, although according to ''The Historical Dictionary of American Slang'', the word is only "usually considered offensive".<ref name="mouth" /> Academics say that it is the most prominent anti-Mexican slur, having replaced '']'' after the 1950s. It can resonate with the ] sentiment that "you’re not American, and you never will be", and as such is sometimes directed at any Hispanic.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Romero|first1=Dennis|title=The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/worst-slur-mexican-americans-still-mystery-some-n959616|access-date=2021-10-17|website=NBC News|date=February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
==See also==
*]
*]
*]


In the 2000s comedian ] was known for using it, and other pejoratives, extensively and used it regularly for ] in his '']'' program.<ref name="mouth" />
==Links==
*


In May 2018, about two weeks before ] initiated a racial bias training program for its American employees, a Hispanic customer in ], received his order with the name ''Beaner'' written on it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pérez|first=Dinorah|title=Hispanic Customer Given Starbucks Order With Racial Slur Written on Cup|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/starbucks-la-canada-racial-slur-cup-hispanic-latino-customer/2049594/|access-date=2021-10-10|website=NBC Los Angeles|date=17 May 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>
]


== Other use ==
Because the term originates from a common English word, there are other pre-existing or unknowing uses of ''beaner''. For example, ''beaner'' has been used to describe someone from Boston (], ], ]); when accidentally smoking a marijuana seed (alternatively called a ]);<ref>{{Cite web|title=I Found a Beaner in My Satchel|url=https://cannapages.com/articles/i-found-a-beaner-in-my-satchel|access-date=2021-10-09|website=cannapages.com}}</ref> a nickname (the 2012 book ''In Beaner's Backyard'');<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/brandon-beebe-graves/in-beaners-backyard/|title=IN BEANER'S BACKYARD {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en}}</ref> in coffee shops (for the ]); and for a ] in baseball (]). Awareness about the offensive meaning of the word is resulting in its usage being criticized and phased out of mainstream use:


* On September 15, 2007, regional coffee chain ], having been called "Beaner's Coffee" since its founding in 1995, decided to change its name to Biggby Coffee in response to comments about the unintended slur in its name. Biggby CEO and founder Bob Fish said, "We ultimately felt we would be condoning the use of a disparaging term if we chose to do nothing".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biggby.com/beaners-coffee-to-rebrand-as-biggby-coffee/|title=BEANER'S COFFEE to Rebrand as BIGGBY COFFEE|date=2007-09-15|website=BIGGBY COFFEE®|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref>
Jessie is a Beaner
* In 2019, the use of the word ''beaner'' in the ], clued as "Pitch to the head, informally",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=1/1/2019|title=Tuesday, January 1, 2019 crossword by Gary Cee|website=www.xwordinfo.com|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref> generated controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/01/nyt-crossword-puzzle-ethnic-slur.html|title=The NYT Crossword Puzzle's Use of an Ethnic Slur Says a Lot About the State of Crossword Puzzling|last=Graham|first=Ruth|date=2019-01-03|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref> New York Times crossword editor ] claimed he knew that the term had a pejorative meaning, but he had never personally heard it used as a slur before and argued that "any ''benign'' meaning of a word" ought to be "fair game" for inclusion in the crossword.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ny-times-crossword-editor-apologizes-for-slur-in-new-years-day-puzzle/|title=NY Times Crossword Editor Apologizes for 'Slur' in New Year's Day Puzzle|date=2019-01-02|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref> Shortz ultimately apologized for including the slur.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/06/682575357/sunday-puzzle-stuck-in-the-middle|title=Sunday Puzzle: Stuck In The Middle|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref>
* In 2019, ] coffee shop Beaner's Central changed its name to Wussow's Concert Cafe. Owner Jason Wussow stated that "Although the name Beaners was chosen twenty years ago out of innocent unawareness, it is undeniable that this word is xenophobic and offensive to many".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/restaurants-and-bars/2730982-West-Duluth-coffee-shop-to-change-name |title=West Duluth coffee shop to change name |website=duluthnewstribune.com |date=2019-06-25|access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref>

== Use in film ==
The word has been used by ] in '']'',<ref>{{cite web |title=The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some |author=Dennis Romero |work=NBC News |date=2019-02-01 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/worst-slur-mexican-americans-still-mystery-some-n959616 |access-date=2019-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202090430/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/worst-slur-mexican-americans-still-mystery-some-n959616 |archive-date=2019-02-02}}</ref> by ] in '']'' and '']'', by ] in '']'', by ] in '']'' and by ] in '']'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Sidney Lumet's The Morning After |author=John Cribbs |publisher=The Pink Smoke |url=https://thepinksmoke.com/frustratinglumet2.htm |access-date=2019-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203050050/https://thepinksmoke.com/frustratinglumet2.htm |archive-date=2019-02-03}}</ref> and in the movies '']'' by ] and '']'' by ].

== See also ==
* ]
* ]
* ]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{Ethnic slurs}}
{{Portal bar|Mexico|Society}}

]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 04:53, 23 November 2024

Ethnic slur This article is about the slur. For other uses, see beaner (disambiguation). Not to be confused with The Beano.

Beaner is a derogatory slur originally from the United States to refer to individuals from Mexico or of Mexican American heritage. It originates from the bean being a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine, such as Salsa Verde Soup or Bean Quesadilla.

Usage

The word was first seen in print in 1966, although the term has reportedly been in use at least since the 1940s, having evolved from previous slurs such as bean-eater (1919) and bean-bandit (1959). It is one of many national and ethnic slurs that refer to a nation's cuisine, such kraut for a German, spud-muncher for an Irish person, and frog for a French person.

The word is considered to be one of the most offensive slurs for Mexican-Americans, although according to The Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the word is only "usually considered offensive". Academics say that it is the most prominent anti-Mexican slur, having replaced greaser after the 1950s. It can resonate with the xenophobic sentiment that "you’re not American, and you never will be", and as such is sometimes directed at any Hispanic.

In the 2000s comedian Carlos Mencia was known for using it, and other pejoratives, extensively and used it regularly for comedic effect in his Mind of Mencia program.

In May 2018, about two weeks before Starbucks initiated a racial bias training program for its American employees, a Hispanic customer in La Cañada, California, received his order with the name Beaner written on it.

Other use

Because the term originates from a common English word, there are other pre-existing or unknowing uses of beaner. For example, beaner has been used to describe someone from Boston (Beantown, Boston baked beans, Boston Beaneaters); when accidentally smoking a marijuana seed (alternatively called a bean); a nickname (the 2012 book In Beaner's Backyard); in coffee shops (for the coffee bean); and for a hit by pitch in baseball (beanball). Awareness about the offensive meaning of the word is resulting in its usage being criticized and phased out of mainstream use:

  • On September 15, 2007, regional coffee chain Biggby Coffee, having been called "Beaner's Coffee" since its founding in 1995, decided to change its name to Biggby Coffee in response to comments about the unintended slur in its name. Biggby CEO and founder Bob Fish said, "We ultimately felt we would be condoning the use of a disparaging term if we chose to do nothing".
  • In 2019, the use of the word beaner in the New York Times crossword, clued as "Pitch to the head, informally", generated controversy. New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz claimed he knew that the term had a pejorative meaning, but he had never personally heard it used as a slur before and argued that "any benign meaning of a word" ought to be "fair game" for inclusion in the crossword. Shortz ultimately apologized for including the slur.
  • In 2019, Duluth, Minnesota coffee shop Beaner's Central changed its name to Wussow's Concert Cafe. Owner Jason Wussow stated that "Although the name Beaners was chosen twenty years ago out of innocent unawareness, it is undeniable that this word is xenophobic and offensive to many".

Use in film

The word has been used by Tommy Chong in Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino and The Mule, by Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, by Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco and by Jeff Bridges in The Morning After, and in the movies 30 Minutes or Less by Fred Ward and Lone Star State of Mind by David Semel.

See also

References

  1. "Definition of beaner". www.dictionary.com. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  2. ^ Booth, William (September 28, 2005). "The Mouth of Mencia". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  3. "San Diego's top Latino cop retires". The San Diego Union-Tribune. September 1, 2005.
  4. "Pedro deflects the barbs; Racist comments don't faze Sox ace". The Boston Herald. September 14, 2000.
  5. ^ "You are what you eat... arguably: John Sutherland on national nicknames". The Guardian (UK). July 31, 2000.
  6. Romero, Dennis (2019-02-01). "The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  7. Romero, Dennis (February 2019). "The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  8. Pérez, Dinorah (17 May 2018). "Hispanic Customer Given Starbucks Order With Racial Slur Written on Cup". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  9. "I Found a Beaner in My Satchel". cannapages.com. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  10. IN BEANER'S BACKYARD | Kirkus Reviews.
  11. "BEANER'S COFFEE to Rebrand as BIGGBY COFFEE". BIGGBY COFFEE®. 2007-09-15. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  12. "Tuesday, January 1, 2019 crossword by Gary Cee". www.xwordinfo.com. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  13. Graham, Ruth (2019-01-03). "The NYT Crossword Puzzle's Use of an Ethnic Slur Says a Lot About the State of Crossword Puzzling". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  14. "NY Times Crossword Editor Apologizes for 'Slur' in New Year's Day Puzzle". TheWrap. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  15. "Sunday Puzzle: Stuck In The Middle". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  16. "West Duluth coffee shop to change name". duluthnewstribune.com. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  17. Dennis Romero (2019-02-01). "The worst slur for Mexican-Americans is still a mystery for some". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  18. John Cribbs. "Sidney Lumet's The Morning After". The Pink Smoke. Archived from the original on 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-02.

External links

  • The dictionary definition of beaner at Wiktionary
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