In a recent thread the word Zionist was used and apparently it was offensive.
I was greatly surprised that a word that signified the Israeli people's desire to return to the land God gave them, and that also was assigned to those of us who are supporters of this cause might be now considered inappropriate.
When did the word become an offensive term? If it is offensive, does it constitute some racism or some other derogatory slight?
Like other English words that changed meaning over time, I would more and more (as I got older) use some word or term only to hear twittering response from the younger folks who had redefined the word to some unrelated double meaning.
If someone would kindly point me in the right direction on the use of this word, I would appreciate it.
I was greatly surprised that a word that signified the Israeli people's desire to return to the land God gave them, and that also was assigned to those of us who are supporters of this cause might be now considered inappropriate.
When did the word become an offensive term? If it is offensive, does it constitute some racism or some other derogatory slight?
Like other English words that changed meaning over time, I would more and more (as I got older) use some word or term only to hear twittering response from the younger folks who had redefined the word to some unrelated double meaning.
If someone would kindly point me in the right direction on the use of this word, I would appreciate it.