[Stu27720]

What is the meaning behind the derogatory terms ‘gooks’ and ‘zipperheads’ used against Asians? I believe this has some basis in the Korean and Vietnam wars, but am not sure.
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Name : Stu27720, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 26, City : Commerce, State : MI, Country : United States, 

[Jasmine]

The word ‘gook’ does not come from the word ‘hanguk’ because I have not heard of such a word to referring to Koreans. I think she may have ment ‘hangul’ which terms the unique Korean language. Anyways, ‘gook’ is a phrase used by Koreans to welcome other people into their country. ‘Mi guk’ was the common phrase which means ‘welcome to our country.’ Unfortunately, the ‘tourists’ took it to mean ‘I’m a gook!’ hence the racial slur. I have no idea where ‘zipperhead’ came from. never heard it before.

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Name : Jasmine, Gender : F, Race : Asian, City : S.C., State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, 

[Missy]

‘Gook’ comes from the Korean word for the Korean people ‘han-guk,’ – the dimwitted military men didn’t catch the ‘han’ and it became the derogatory ‘gook.’

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Name : Missy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Korean-American, Age : 22, City : Honolulu, State : HI, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

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