New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Do you think Ginger is usable?
I wonder if there is a difference between the US, UK, Ireland, NZ, AU, SA and other English speaking countries (in case I forgot some).
Here in Europe, I feel like it has become a slang term for a person with red hair with mostly negative associations. I have the feeling that some people would even say it is a term that should not be used and borders on racism.
But I know that in the US the Duggar's have a daughter named Jinger and it seems to be more normal. There is also Ginger Rogers.
So I am wondering. Where are you from and is the name usable where you live?
Here in Europe, I feel like it has become a slang term for a person with red hair with mostly negative associations. I have the feeling that some people would even say it is a term that should not be used and borders on racism.
But I know that in the US the Duggar's have a daughter named Jinger and it seems to be more normal. There is also Ginger Rogers.
So I am wondering. Where are you from and is the name usable where you live?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I’m in Europe too and I don’t think it’s useable, except for a pet.
1
I’m in the UK, and I know a man in his 70s who goes by Ginger but his real name is David. He hasn’t got much hair now but it did used to be ginger when he was younger. It’s pretty normal but I’m not sure what it would be like nowadays for a kid and at school. I know a girl who hates it when people say her hair is ginger but I don’t know why because I love ginger hair! To be fair her’s is a bit more auburn. I’m pretty sure it’s offensive if you call someone a ginger, not if you say their hair is? I’m honestly not sure.
This message was edited 8/23/2020, 12:55 AM
1
I'm in Australia, yep a red head, don't think it's usable
1
I don’t think it’s usable as a full name. Maybe as a nickname for Virginia.
1
I am a ginger and was picked on mercilessly when that term took off. (I live in the US) I couldn't figure out why you thought it wasn't usable. Cracking up over here right now. You've given me something to consider. It could be a bit like Karen in that way.
This message was edited 8/22/2020, 4:58 PM
1
I’m in Australia and while a “ginger” is someone with red hair, because we’re Aussie’s and we have to shorten everything, generally people will just say “ging”. So it sounds practically the same, just leaving the “er” part off. Also here in Australia, red heads often get called Blue or Bluey, because you know, that makes sense! :) All that aside, I just think of Jinger Duggar and of course Ginger Rogers, so I totally think it’s usable. I actually really like it as a name. But I love botanical names and unusual names, so it’s my thing.
1
I'm originally from the southern US and now live on the west coast of Canada, and I think it's usable in both places. I think it's cutest when used as a nickname for something more formal. Admittedly, I do use it as a term for red-heads, mainly because I find it adorbs.
1
I live in Poland, so it's not really usable here, but speaking from my half-British perspective, it feels like a nickname a redheaded Virginia in an Agatha Christie novel set in the 1950s would have, and Virginia feels very stereotypically American to me. So it's an ehhhh. About as usable as Susie - not terribly tease-provoking, but dated and not particularly attractive.
1
It comes across to me as sorta old-fashioned but could be young, and I don't take it that seriously, so it seems about like Scarlett, Saffron, Daisy...
I've met one who was born in the early 1980s; she had a friend named Sonnet, so I tend to think of Ginger and Sonnet together.
I'm familiar with the slang, but it's not a word I'd use naturally except if I was talking about the spice...I don't say things like 'cheers' 'brilliant' 'wicked' in conversation either. The closest translation I can think of into American slang would be carrot top.
I've met one who was born in the early 1980s; she had a friend named Sonnet, so I tend to think of Ginger and Sonnet together.
I'm familiar with the slang, but it's not a word I'd use naturally except if I was talking about the spice...I don't say things like 'cheers' 'brilliant' 'wicked' in conversation either. The closest translation I can think of into American slang would be carrot top.
1
It's a little old fashioned, but yes, it's still usable. I prefer it as a nickname for Virginia.
1
It's a little old fashioned, but yes, it's still usable. I prefer it as a nickname for Virginia.
1
Yeah, why wouldn't it be? I think its a good name. Its old but that doesn't make it nasty
1
I'm from the US. Ginger is not uncommon as a name here, full or nn for Virginia. It's quite dated now, dated to the 1950s or thereabouts, though I do know a Ginger who's a bit older than me, born in the late 1970s.
It's not used as a term for a red-haired person, derogatory or otherwise, and I would say that red hair is not considered a flaw the way it seems to be in the UK.
So yes, Ginger is usable in the US, though it's very much out of fashion. Also, it's a very popular name for dogs.
It's not used as a term for a red-haired person, derogatory or otherwise, and I would say that red hair is not considered a flaw the way it seems to be in the UK.
So yes, Ginger is usable in the US, though it's very much out of fashion. Also, it's a very popular name for dogs.
1