Canadians, is "Canuck" offensive?

JAHpow

JAHpow

Active member
I used the term to reference making a video for use in Canada as the Canuck version at work and my super told me to be aware that people could be offended if I use that term openly.

Is that a term that is universally found offensive in Canada or just an embraced nickname? I assumed it was the latter.

Also, I'm not apologizing for using it.
 
I'd make a poll asking if it's offensive or not offensive, but I couldn't find the button to add it. Mods, can ya help me? (Then delete this post)
 
Not offensive imo, can see why it would be percieved that way since its a nickname for nationality. But i doubt anyone except a few people would maybe take offense to it. Personally i could not care less if its used.

edit: also completely depends on context

**This post was edited on May 26th 2021 at 5:10:28pm
 
14292381:eheath said:
The Vancouver hockey team is the canucks, definitely not offensive.
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Counterpoint: the Redskins were once a mascot.

I'm sure someone will say it's different but this unknown is probably why op was asking.
 
14292436:r00kie said:
Counterpoint: the Redskins were once a mascot.

I'm sure someone will say it's different but this unknown is probably why op was asking.
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I mean we're talking about a nick name based on the name of the country and a racial slur, pretty different.
 
14292438:eheath said:
I mean we're talking about a nick name based on the name of the country and a racial slur, pretty different.
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This is what I was frustrated with. I wasn't reprimanded or anything, my boss is a cool dude, but he cautioned me over it. He compared it to the Redskins, Fighting Sioux, and Squaw Valley and said it came from an indigenous language. I looked it up and nobody for sure knows where it comes from, but some think it originated in Hawaii. I found no indications that it is racial slur.
 
14292451:JAHpow said:
This is what I was frustrated with. I wasn't reprimanded or anything, my boss is a cool dude, but he cautioned me over it. He compared it to the Redskins, Fighting Sioux, and Squaw Valley and said it came from an indigenous language. I looked it up and nobody for sure knows where it comes from, but some think it originated in Hawaii. I found no indications that it is racial slur.
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I'd go with the when in doubt, bail out rule on this one. Probably best to not use generalized labels for groups of people, especially in a profession context. Leaving it out doesn't make you a thin skinned, PC freak, just conscious.
 
14292460:r00kie said:
I'd go with the when in doubt, bail out rule on this one. Probably best to not use generalized labels for groups of people, especially in a profession context. Leaving it out doesn't make you a thin skinned, PC freak, just conscious.
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I wasn't in doubt though. Canuck is so common and I've never heard used in an insulting way.
 
14292381:eheath said:
The Vancouver hockey team is the canucks, definitely not offensive.
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If you called a hardcore Flames fan a Canuck I guess they might get upset.

Honestly, if you were talking about Canucks or wanted to show me the "Canuck version" of something, I would assume you were talking about the hockey team. It's just not that commonly used as a term otherwise. Nobody has ever called me a Canuck instead of Canadian.

That said, if you have a serious job, maybe they're taking issue with your use of slang? It's not an offensive term, but it's also not a professional one either and some workplaces expect more formal language.
 
14292702:paige. said:
If you called a hardcore Flames fan a Canuck I guess they might get upset.

Honestly, if you were talking about Canucks or wanted to show me the "Canuck version" of something, I would assume you were talking about the hockey team. It's just not that commonly used as a term otherwise. Nobody has ever called me a Canuck instead of Canadian.

That said, if you have a serious job, maybe they're taking issue with your use of slang? It's not an offensive term, but it's also not a professional one either and some workplaces expect more formal language.
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Lol formal language is not a thing here in my marketing department. If I was talking to the VP of marketing then that's a different story. To my immediate coworkers, it's not a thing. That's what I'm annoyed over is that of all the words dropped it's Canuck "that people might get offended by".

14292732:Casey said:
It’s a workplace, everyone is just terrified of getting fired for discrimination.
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Betas

I've already bought a Canucks hat that I'm gonna wear to company outings.
 
Nah I can't think of any Canadian who would be offended by that. I guess it comes from the fact that no one's ever been discriminated against for being Canadian, as far I know
 
Asked my Canadian friend. I doubt many/any take offense which is funny because I do think we also will personally use it as a slightly derogatory remark when giving them shit.

kinda like “buddy”. “My buddy” and “hey, buddy...” have two totally different meanings.

canadian friend just texted me back, not offensive. Lol which is good cuz we give him shit for being Canadian so glad he can be proud of his heritage.

at the end of the day, people who get offended over things like that are insecure AF and that’s their problem, not ours IMO
 
14292376:JAHpow said:
I'd make a poll asking if it's offensive or not offensive, but I couldn't find the button to add it. Mods, can ya help me? (Then delete this post)
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Did you post on Mobile? cuz the poll button is gone for me on mobile too
 
ive heard canucks refer to themselves as canucks. so it probably isnt offensive or maybe its an only other Canadians can call other Canadians canucks. but probabaly not. your probably good
 
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