Blog 3

Blog 3: Connotation of a word

Connotation of the word Jew

Words can hurt. They can especially hurt when used with the wrong tone. Any compliment or any ordinary word's meaning can change whenever a person adds a little emotion into it. When a word is spoken, it becomes more powerful than if the word was written. A word that has been changed from statement to insult is the word Jew.

The word Jew has changed throughout the history of time. When it was first used, Jew was used to describe a man or woman who practiced the religion of Judaism. Being a Jew was a great part of one’s life. Many were proud to be called a Jew. It wasn't until the beginning of world war two, that the word Jew was turned into an insult. When Hitler took office in the uprising of the Nazi party, the word Jew was changed forever. Hitler made being a Jew one of the scariest things of that time. Hitler’s view on the Jewish population changed today’s peoples thought on the word Jew.

When a person hears the word Jew, you can see his or her body language change. Because of Hitler’s take on Jews, people prefer to not use Jew to describe a Jewish person anymore. Although many prefer not to use Jew in there major vocabulary, many, now, use the word Jew as an insult. When one friend say to another, "man your such a Jew", mainly referring to a stereotype or possibly as just an insult, the word Jew is being misused. Jew is now often mistaken for words like idiot or just calling someone cheep (Jewish stereotype). The word Jew has been made into an insult in today’s modern day slang.

The word Jew has many meanings in today slang. The original meaning of Jew, a person who practices the religion of Judaism, is still used correct in modern day conversation although its newer definitions are mainly used in conversations. The word Jew is not a terrible word when used right. The word Jew has changed from a nice and accurate word to a racist word.