I've seen teabagger used by lots of "mainstream" media. It think it's just become an easy shorthand, since tea partiers or tea party members is more of a tongue-twister.

I've even heard teabaggers refer to themselves that way. So, sorry, it's a done deal.

So the rule is if you've heard a couple of members of a certain group use a term to describe themselves the word or phrase is free to be used by all?

I do wonder though, what was the "other" things???

Early on that was definitely the case but I don't think it is particularly true any more. At least not in the mainstream journalistic media I'm consuming (though we all tend to have our own boundaries on what is mainstream).

That said, and while I found the unintended use of teabagger as funny as the next person I tend to fall into the camp of calling a group of people whatever they prefer to be called, unless is a complete obvious manipulation of the language (I probably wouldn't go along if the Democrats changed the official party name to "The Party of the Clearly and Obviously Best People in the World Party").

It's funny, I haven't even thought about how "teabaggers" was derogatory. I have been calling them that for shorthand. If I insulted anyone I truly didn't mean it as such.

As GD said, my point wasn't "don't call people names" it was "don't present assertions as if they are facts".

@sleepyjeff - I wouldn't say it's the rule, but I like it as a policy. I use it more for shorthand now than to insult, but I won't lose any sleep if Tea Partiers take offense at me calling them names - - they've had some choice ones for me, and those that haven't have continued to associate themselves with those that have. In fact, I'm pretty sure Teabagger was coined in direct response to their "stand" on homosexuality. It was an irresistible target, and I can't resist.

So, yeah, I'll be calling them teabaggers, and I doubt it will derail their tea party movement by much.


Oh, and I think Kennedy's other things remain undone.

Fair enough.


But what were they? Mile High skyscrappers? Bullet Trains? Flying Cars?

Bullet-proof convertibles

^Someone had to say it;)