re: Is the term "Chinaman" offensive?

Same reason all derogatory terms became offensive. They were used in offensive ways. A word has no meaning until you give it meaning. The N-bomb wouldn't be offensive if it was never used to refer to African Americans the way it was/is.

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I don't get how oriental is offensive at all and I'll argue that all day.

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My wife used to take my son to a play group where there was an Asian (not sure exactly where she's from) woman that she got to know a little. The other day she was trying to explain who she was talking about since I don't remember names well and for some reason, she had a brain fart and couldn't get the word Asian out and said "you know the oriental woman I'm friends with". I busted out laughing. It's just weird to describe a person like that. I asked her if the lady looked like a rug . Told her to please never say that to an Asian persons face. I don't know exactly why it's offensive, but I just know it is. So why bother.