counter-slur

A word or phrase that is intended to be insulting towards members of privileged/majority groups, but doesn’t carry the same weight as a typical slur.

Normally used by members of underprivileged/minority groups in retaliation to verbally abusive members of privileged/majority groups.

Richard: “Hey f***t, nice outfit!”

John: “Hey breeder, shut up!”

Richard: “Was that a counter-slur you just used? Really?”

Brad: “What’s your favorite obscenity to yell at someone in traffic?”

Jamal: “I mean, if someone cuts me off I sometimes scream ‘cracker’ at them.”

Brad: “What? That counter-slur barely counts. It just doesn’t have the same impact as yelling ni-”

Jamal: “Ok! I get it.”