"Daihard" <daihardM3@yahoo_NOSPAM_.com> wrote in
news:2R6Ia.16574$Nf.40215@sea-read.news.verio.net: 

> "Kay" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote...
>>
>> If I reacall you think Supertech is a nutcase.
>> How come you take his definition without
>> questioning?  History is my thing and I concur
>> with Austin that Wae has never been a derogatory
>> word.  Japan used to be called Wae.  It is a
>> generic name for Japan for centuries as Korea
>> is a generic name for Chosun, The Republic of
>> Korea, The Peoples Republic of Korea, Koryo, etc.
> 
> I can't speak for Koreans, but I know for a fact that the term "wae"
> (or "wa" in Japanese) carries no derogatory tone in itself.  The
> ancient Japanese are often referred to as "wa-jin" (Japanese people)
> in history books.  If I understand correctly, "Korea" came from the
> two Kanji "ko" and "rai," which respectively mean "high" and
> "beautiful." 
> 
>> He is also right that only when "nom" is attached
>> to Wae, it becomes derogatory.  In the same way,
>> Chosun is not a derogatory term; in fact it has
>> a beautiful meaning, "Morning freshness."  Yet,
>> "sun" is separated from Chosun and "jin" is added,
>> and used derogatively, it becomes a derogatory
>> word.
> 
> I have a Korean-Japanese friend whose Japanese mother was once called
> "il bon nom" by his father's relative.  He told me it was a very
> offensive term, and that he was glad she did not get the impact of
> that name-calling. 

This is the first time since I joined this group a few
weeks ago that I get to discuss something worth discussing,
void of profanity and name-calling.

Of course, "ilbon" is Japan.  However, "nom" is reserved
for a male.  For a female, it is "nyon."  Both are 
offensive terms when used that way.  However, it
can be used in an affectionate way, as well.
"Ilbon-nyon," is definitely offensive, though.

It is bad and I hope Koreans would stop using
them.  It helps no one.  One USA is enough;
we don't need more name-callers.