• isosphere@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      It’s “rice” because it’s asian; it’s a derogatory term used towards people and their cars. When I was younger, this term was used against asian drivers and their asian cars - and it was not a compliment.

      Looking at Urban Dictionary I see no mention of this anti-asian side of it, but it was there when I was growing up. Maybe others can chime in with their experience, I imagine it wasn’t the same everywhere.

      Not implying the people using it here are being racist, I don’t think they are aware of what I’m recalling here.

      • michaelmelanson@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        The Wikipedia article says it’s derived from the term “rice burner” and talks about the history of the term.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_burner

        I can say I first heard the term about 20 years ago about cars with unnecessary decals and accessories, and it definitely had a racist connotation then.

        I certainly wouldn’t use the term myself and I cringe when people use it here.

    • Adderbox76@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Think of the movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. It’s used to describe unnecessary modifications to a street racer (led lights, decals, etc…) that was mockingly called “ricing” because it was prevalent in the asian street racing communities. (rice eaters…har har har…)

      I thought I was the only one who cringed whenever I heard that word. But this thread is making me realize I’m not crazy.