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AdministrativeBall58 OP t1_j9gqq1m wrote

Reply to comment by whatthefruits in What’s going on with NJ these days? by AdministrativeBall58

It’s a modification to an exhaust pipe

Edit: …and to other parts of the car of course. I always knew the term “Ricer” was racist. That’s the bad word. Rice burner refers to the car! Downvote all you want I’m just trying to explain something!

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evgeney t1_j9h3dca wrote

Was gonna defend you but it's a controversial term

"The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping. In some cases, users of the term assert that it is not offensive or racist, or else treat the term as a humorous, mild insult rather than a racial slur.

Early usage 1917 to 1930s Examples of "rice burner" used literally, meaning one who burns rice or rice fields, as in stubble burning, date to 1917. In 1935 it appeared in a US newspaper caption in with a racial connotation, disparaging East Asian people."

Clear you didn't mean it that way but fyi

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RafeDangerous t1_j9jm6i9 wrote

None of those examples relate to the usage that's being talked about. "Rice Burner" came into wide use in the 80s as a disparaging term for Japanese cars, and was especially popular with fans of American muscle cars. The implication is that they literally use rice as fuel instead of gasoline because rice is a stereotypical staple in Asian diets. Definitely started as an insult, and pretty similarly racist to linking black people and fried chicken and watermelon. At this point it's become such common usage that it might be headed in the direction of "Paddy Wagon" (a slur referring to lawlessness among Irish immigrants), meaning that the original disparaging intent and meaning is becoming forgotten and use is fairly mainstream.

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AdministrativeBall58 OP t1_j9h4f8n wrote

So did you downvote me? Well when I was growing up it always referred to loud or supped up cars. Typically Hondas or fords. I didn’t mean to offend anybody. People get too tigger happy with the downvote button.

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whatthefruits t1_j9h5pdc wrote

i mean, i didnt downvote, but def was going to if you didn't have a good reason for using the term. I'd stop using the term moving forward though. It having derogatory roots still indicates that it can just as easily hurt others. Within context, noting the condescending tone, it could easily be misconstrued.

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AdministrativeBall58 OP t1_j9heiay wrote

I understand and I appreciate that. I just grew up saying it and had Japanese friends with cars and they called them rice burners! 🤷‍♂️ times change, thanks for letting me know.

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