JAP

Jap is an English term that originated as an abbreviation of Japanese. While it has appeared as a neutral shorthand in some contexts in the past, it is now widely regarded as a pejorative slur when used to refer to Japanese people or to Japan. It is considered offensive and dehumanizing in most modern contexts, and its use is generally avoided in respectful discourse.

Historical context shows the term gaining notoriety during the 20th century, particularly in the World War II era, when it appeared in propaganda, media, and casual insults directed at Japanese nationals or people of Japanese descent. The plural form Japs was also used in some sources, reinforcing its slur-like status. After the war, public sensitivity to ethnic slurs increased, and the word’s frequency declined markedly in everyday language.

Etymology and usage notes indicate that the term is a truncation of "Japanese" that acquired a hostile edge through wartime rhetoric and xenophobic attitudes. In contemporary writing and speech, the term should be avoided, with "Japanese" or "Japanese people" used instead to denote nationality or ethnicity.

Context and guidance: In historical analyses or discussions of racism and media representation, scholars may examine the term to illustrate how slurs arise and function. However, general usage by speakers or writers outside of critical or academic contexts is considered inappropriate and disrespectful.

See also: Ethnic slurs, Japanese people, racism and discrimination.