This must have been convered before, but:

I think I've only heard "Anglo-American" in phrases like "Anglo-American relations". "Anglo" meaning non-Hispanic, or I suppose non-Hispanic white, is pretty common in the Southwest US, but that includes all of us white Anglophones, not just Protestants of British descent.

If I heard WASPs objecting to WASP I wouldn't use it, on the principle that people should be called what they want to be called. But so far I haven't heard that.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>If I heard WASPs objecting to WASP I wouldn't use it<hr></blockquote>
Maybe those denigrated by the use of this term have too much class to reveal that they are offended by being being called a WASP. I don't think one should continue to do something questionable until someone objects to it. I do realize that some people innocently use the term without intending any insult, but in the mass media, I believe the the intent is usually to put down this rich, exclusive group.

I've not heard WASP used in Britain but haven't lived there for many years. To me it denotes a family that came over with the Mayflower, and is extremely privileged. I can't see it as an insult.

Surely the insulting part of JAP, which is pronounced in the same way as the old epithet for Japanese people, is the word 'Princess'? JAPs make reservations for dinner after all. I don't see the Jewish American part being self-loathing but describing a situation where families who had come to America could spoil their daughters when those in the Old Country couldn't afford to.

ok, but what about books where a character is descriped as saying "waspish" or "washpishly"

almost without exception it would refer to a female character and one who was a bit prissy.

So, if WASP isn't derogatory the usage of it might well be???

And I hate to reference my appalling television habits but wasn't Charlotte on Sex in the City (yes, roll eyes now) described as a wasp?

personally, living in NZ i have only ever heard it on american tv shows/books! Didn't actually realise it was used in the UK...

#11 -- Isn't the point that the group isn't that exclusive, but rather the majority in some regions?

#6 -- Is it known whether the term JAP originated inside or outside the Jewish community? If I had to guess, I would say it's the origin of some Jüdisches Selbsthaß indeed; it sounds like it.

Apologies for the irritating typo in the title of this thread, by the way.

oops that was supposed to say :
ok, but what about books where a character is descriped as being"waspish" or saying something "washpishly"

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Is it known whether the term JAP originated inside or outside the Jewish community? If I had to guess, I would say it's the origin of some Jüdisches Selbsthaß indeed; it sounds like it.<hr></blockquote>A good question, indeed. My own inclination is to think that it originated within the community, but as a kind of put-down of someone who was acting in a high-handed manner.

Two opposing interpretations. I wonder if anyone can straighten this out.

This is Leo Rosten on JAP in "Hooray for Yiddish" (1982).

J.A.P

Pronounced "Jap". Acronym for "Jewish American Princess."

This is an "in" word used by young American Jews to describe a rich, spiled or nubile Jewess.

At least that settles the pronounciation if not the etymology.

Sorry that should be "spoiled" and not "spiled".

#13, 15 -- "Waspish" is older than "WASP" and refers to the insect.

#14 -- Thanks for correcting my gender error in Selbsthass. Now I'll remember. He said hopefully.

My impression is that the word arose in the Jewish community, yes. If I had to guess, I would guess in Nassau County, New York.

#17 -- "Jewess"! Is that the last recorded use of the word, I wonder?