Is 'Chinese Firedrill' offensive?

[LilKim]

[WoodrowFan]

1. replace it with

"Sterotyped Traditional East Asian Unplaned Combustion Event Response Practice Activity"


Serious, I'd say yes it is. Not as offensive as the N-word, but not inoffensive either.

[Fenris]

2. What the Hell is a CHinese Firedrill anyway?

[name not needed]

3. read up

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chinese+firedrill&r=f

[Fenris]

4. Good to know.

[WoodrowFan]

5. from Random House

There are two main senses of Chinese fire drill. One is the broad one, 'a state or example of utter confusion'. The other, rather specific, is a high-school or college prank where a group of students jump out of a car that's stopped at a red light, run around the car, and pile back in before the light turns green. Both of these stem from the idea of a fire drill being confused and panicked.

Whatever the origin of the phrase, and whichever meaning is intended, it is now regarded as offensive to Chinese people, and should be avoided.

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19961008


there's more at the link.