To be a racial slur the word(s) do not have to be intended to be such. The word N-----is terribly offensive to many blacks and whites. Yet it is often used in music, slogans, history books, and even like I just used it here. It's the fact that it is so offensive to so many people is what causes most to reject its use. And it's offensive because for years it was used as an ethnic slur-especially in the south.

Team nicknames have always been an interesting topic. My favorite team the Dodgers got their name because streets of Brooklyn in the 1890s caused pedestrians to 'dodge' trolley cars while walking in the streets, and these folks were dubbed 'trolley dodgers' . For whatever crazy reason Brooklyn adopted the name Dodgers. The "Packers" of Green Bay named after a meat packing company?

Actually, the most appropriate nickname of a football team is right now in the NFL-The Washington " Football Team." Much like a friend of mine once named his dog "DOG". Seriously, how more appropriate can these names be? On the other side-How about Stanford's mascot's name: the "TREE". Who wants to be a "Cubby" in Chicago? Are all New Orleans fans "Saints". Are all New York Giant fans tall?

Then there is the great Madrid soccer team " Los Colchoneros" (The Mattress Makers)-seriously.