according to http://www.answers.com/dago, it is an alteration of Spanish name Diego. As a slur, it was originally directed at those of Spanish descent. When and why it was redirected to Italians is anyone's guess.
According to a 2 hour documentary on the Italians in America, many of the 1st immigrants could barely speak the English language. Therefore, many became cheap laborers. Day-Laborers they were refered to. Then, those Day-o's became Dagos! I struggled for years to find that out! I just found out TODAY how they got to be called "guineas"!
The word 'dago' is a derivative of the Spanish name 'Diego', which means 'James'. It was originally coined in the 17th century by British sailors to indicate Spanish or Portuguese people, especially sailors. Despite the hispanic origin of the word, in the 19th century the word 'dago' became more commonly used in the USA as a derogatory term for Italians, due to the large immigration from that country. However, it is still used to indicate Spanish or Portuguese people as well, but rarely the French. The word 'wop' is derived from 'without official papers', which was a comment that was written by US immigration officials in their records, with reference to poorer Italian immigrants who entered the USA without passports or any other means of identification. It then became a derogatory name for Italians or those of Italian origin in general, within the USA. Rarely used in other English speaking countries.
That is an ethnic slur and we will not post the answer on Wiki Answers.
a peasant of Spanish or Italian ethnic origin
No. The word "slur" is not bad unto itself. A slur is a bad thing.
Answer this question… Demetrio, who asks if someone is O.K. after he or she has been subject to a racial slur
To refer to someone, usually from the Mediterranean area, as a Dago is sometimes used as a slur. Over time, its use has softened and is used by some to refer to themselves. In Portuguese, the word Diego refers to a deckhand and perhaps that is the origin of the word.
That is an ethnic slur and will not be considered for response on WikiAnswers.
What is the ethnic origin of the surname Menefee?
What is the ethnic origin of the last nameMerid?
The word 'dago' is a derivative of the Spanish name 'Diego', which means 'James'. It was originally coined in the 17th century by British sailors to indicate Spanish or Portuguese people, especially sailors. Despite the hispanic origin of the word, in the 19th century the word 'dago' became more commonly used in the USA as a derogatory term for Italians, due to the large immigration from that country. However, it is still used to indicate Spanish or Portuguese people as well, but rarely the French. The word 'wop' is derived from 'without official papers', which was a comment that was written by US immigration officials in their records, with reference to poorer Italian immigrants who entered the USA without passports or any other means of identification. It then became a derogatory name for Italians or those of Italian origin in general, within the USA. Rarely used in other English speaking countries.
what is the ethnic origin of the name Kamaran Gill?
No, you cannot. You get your ethnic origin from your biological mother and father, and they got their ethnic origins from their mother and father, so changing your ethnic origin would mean changing your ancestry, which is impossible.
It is of French origin.
The name is Germanic in origin.
Origin: Greek, meaning: 'Healer'
Their age, gender, and ethnic origin.
German? Swedish?