this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2026
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Isn't that just Yiddish for "boy" or something? I haven't seen or heard that one anywhere other than from Jewish people who sprinkle Yiddish into their English.
Goy means a non-jewish nation or person. Goyim is plural.
"She is a Goy" (she's not Jewish)
"They're Goyim" (they're all non Jewish)
It doesn't necessarily have a negative meaning to it but it can in certain contexts just like your example of "boy". You can refer to a boy that way, or it can be used to be racist and denigrate a black man.
So is it being used as slang outside the context of describing people as non-Jewish? I grew up in Skokie, IL, so I was familiar with the yiddish term, but I haven't heard this new usage. Are non-jewish kids online using "goyim" to refer to outsiders of some other in-group?
It's mostly used by Jews and Yiddish speakers afaik
thanks!
You're welcome!
It's the same vein as Gen X / Millennials using "retard", or Gen Z using "Autistic" as insulting language. It's taking something that is a scientific diagnosis and using it as an insult to someone being stupid or dumb-witted.
Basically weaponized ignorance due to lack of education or proper upbringing. When you're not smart enough as a person to come up with a clever insult, use something that is inherently insulting to an entire population.