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yes -

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and that is, I think, the subtlety that is being lost in translation here: the term "trailer trash" can be taken to specifically denigrate trailer dwellers (code for poor). It can whether the people being described dwell in trailers, or don't, because it suggests - even if YOU don't suggest, the term can be taken to suggest - that all trailer dwellers (code for poor) are alike in their vulgarity and comparability to rubbish.

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So what you need to know before saying trailer trash is, it *is* classist in the US -- not in the direct way that denigrating, say, "filthy proles" would be, but in an indirect way. We all know exactly what you mean by trailer trash, so it's a useful idiom, but it sounds judgmental.

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I think just stating whatever fact leads you to conclude they're trailer trash - "This family appeared on a vulgar show like Jerry Springer's" - should communicate the right sort of information, without appearing to express scorn for an entire class of people.

This message was edited 1/16/2008, 1:02 PM

Yup

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Nowhere near the same thing to me.

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To the other question: not all anti-socials are trashy, but all trailer trash are anti-socials (I don't think trash applies to anyone who isn't anti-social). I don't see anti-social as a mental problem, but more as a 'poor upbringing' problem. I know there are some mental problems that cause awkward social behaviour, but that isn't what I call anti-social. Anti-social is more not at all caring about others, and not, caring but not being able to have the 'correct behaviour'. (I hope it's a bit clear what I mean)