to find the use of the word 'fenian' by a working member of the military offensive

[tarantula]

Was very tired, stressed today and have PMT so might be over reacting.

The military were in our building today for security reasons. Overheard the following in my office and not sure whether to report it. I was not paying attention at the beginning as was working.

First soldier : 'blah blah blah fenians' (I only picked up on that word)
Second soldier : 'Do you know what fenian means? '

At that point I stood up glared at both soldiers and left the room as felt rather upset. The first soldier was def talking in a derogatory tone. Not sure what explanation the second soldier was going to give, could have been a dressing down about how offensive the word was, I didn't wait to hear.

Wondering whether to say anything to the powers that be at work about this as it made me feel very uncomfortable.

Don't bother about it.

If you didn't hear the whole conversation what would there be to report?

I've never heard of the word before, but if you think the second one was saying it was inappropriate to use it then problem resolved surely?

Im Catholic and I use the word Fenian. If the mainstream news can use it, then so can I. And yes, I know what it means.

I'd say what you witnessed was the start of a dressing down.

It is offensive, but the offender was about to get gripped.

Were you able to see if soldier2 was senior to soldier1?

Can you explain why a half heard possibly misunderstood conversation has made you feel so very uncomfortable?

Black people use the n word.

Ive never heard fenian on the news.

I regard it as highly offensive and to be honest, Id have to mention it. Here in Scotland we have a real problem with sectarianism and that word can land you up in court.

It's almost always a deliberately derogatory term in my experience. Clutching at straws, at least the second soldier seemed to be (possibly?) pulling the other one up on his usage of it?

Have to mention what though rhonda?

The conversation could have been about anything with hundreds of possible innocent reasons for mentioning the term, maybe the first one was telling the second about something somebody else said?

The OP doesn't know.

IF, and it's a bit of a big IF, it was being used wrongly then it sounds as though a correction was taking place. That being so I'm afraid I just can't agree with the 'run and tell' thing. I just don't 'get' tittle tattlers I'm afraid.

MenopausalHaze It was the way he said the word 'fenians'. Like talking about scum of the earth.

I couldn't see if one soldier was senior tbh. I wouldn't really know how to tell.

Was thinking that it I should mention it as the word is so offensive (unless used in a strictly historical sense) and think that the military leaders should be telling their men not to use should words in public.

trois - are you serious? In what context would you use the word?

'Black people use the n word'

Some (a minority, mainly American) might use it, but most black people still find it hugely offensive.

I wouldnt like to be called a Fenian by a (I am assuming British?) soldier. I would find it in very poor taste.

sorry I have never heard that word, what does it mean, if it is too bad can the op PM me please.

How is it an insult? Is it in how it is used? i.e. effin' Fenians? Am catholic and Irish - as far as I know it's a term used to describe members the original republican movement - nothing derogatory.

Were they both from the UK? My Kiwi friend was amazed to hear that Fenian was seen as demeaning here. She says that it was used there to refer to Irish Catholic settlers in NZ, not as a rude term, and there are places / companies, etc, with the name Fenian in them. She may be wrong, of course, but I can well imagine her in a conversation like the one you described above.

It sounds to me like the second soldier was doing exactly what you recommend should be done.

It's the same opening I use for a telling of for my DCs when they use unacceptable language.

Sevenfold: it's a sectarian insult.

Kahuna, I said that in response to trois, who said she is Catholic and uses Fenian, not as a justification, just so you know.

I would have to mention that a serving member of our armed forces, while in uniform, was using inappropriate language which could have in some circumstances resulted in charges being raised against him and his regiment being brought into disrepute.

Its a horrible word and in Scotland, we are trying to stamp such things out. I havent been proud to be Scottish for quite a while, but right now, I am.

in the west of scotland it's a derogatory term, for sure.

Rest of post was in answer to zigzag sorry.

It's mentioned in an article here about sectarian (and other offensive) terms the PSNI have been instructed not to use.

I think if you lived somewhere where there isn't sectarian bollocks then you could be unaware of it being used as an insult.

Sorry, I missed that@meditrina.

It is a sectarian insult and a soldier shouldnt be using it, although it doesnt surprise me that he was.

I dont see what complaining about it will achieve though I'm afraid.

Stepford - it actually originated as a word for American Irish Republicans I think (GCSE Irish history is a bit vague at 32).

But now, yes, in Ireland and the UK it is very offensive. YANBU.

Tarantula, can you say where this took place?