No, saying that someone "Jewed you down" is not a compliment

[Behind the Aegis]

It’s astonishing to watch a politician reframe a centuries-old antisemitic trope on Jews and money as a compliment.

Michele Reynolds, a Republican running for a seat in Ohio’s competitive 3rd Senate District, which includes Columbus, used the phrase “Jew you down” in her self-published 2014 book.

“I learned from other cultures on how they spend their money. Have you ever heard the term ‘Jew you down?’ This culture has a reputation for not wasting resources,” Reynolds wrote.

Whew.

On Thursday, Jake Zuckerman, the Statehouse reporter for Cleveland.com, tweeted that quote, from “The Dreambiz Blueprint: 101 Business Tips on How to Operate Your Dream Business” by Reynolds, whose website identifies her as a third-generation business owner.

more...

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Years ago, I severely corrected a friend who used a variation on "Jew you down."

He was talking about a debtor who was putting pressure on him to lower the price of his landscaping services that he already provided. My friend said something to the effect that he was "being juiced."

Jew/Juice. Too close not to see the connection.

[Orrex]

2. I'm not a bit surprised

When I've had the conversation with people, most seemed stunned that the phrase could be seen as derogatory, which frankly baffles me.

I've encountered more than a few who refuse to abandon the phrase because "I don't mean it in a racist way" and "people need to stop being so sensitive," so it doesn't surprise me at all that a Republican in neighboring Ohio would have no qualms about saying it.

[delisen]

3. Michelle is a stealth candidate?

I am not in Ohio but when I first visited her website I assumed she was running as a Democrat. I could not find any party affiliation but the name Reynolds was in deep blue. Hiding that you will be a sure vote in Congress for the Republican Party seems tacky.

[nycbos]

4. WTF does that even mean.

I am Jewish myself who have been alarmed to say the least about rising antisemitism.

But I've never heard that expression before. Maybe my brain isn't working today.

[Native]

5. Bargained for a lower price I believe.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I have heard it more than a few times.

To "Jew someone down" means to get a better price. To say "He Jewed me down", generally, means he cheated me, or wore me down on the price. Sometimes, it is simply uttered as "I was Jewed."

[nycbos]

8. Ugh

Disgusting

[marybourg]

18. When you live on the East Coast you never hear that.

An aunt who went to Florida about 50 years ago was at a flea market there and after asking the price of something, a woman sidled up to her and whispered in her ear “Jew him down”. She came home shocked and hurt, and most of the East Coast family had a hard time believing this was even a thing. My father, born in NY. in1910, had never heard that phrase, and suggested what his sister had heard was possibly “chew him down”, but my aunt was adamant. She heard what she heard. And here we are 50 years later.

[Danmel]

22. I live in the NYC burbs

And I've heard that plenty.
I'm Jewish but don't "look Jewish"
I hear a lot.

[marybourg]

23. Well, then I guess things have changed, for the worse.

I lived a very NY.- busy life for 46 years and never heard it, nor did anyone in my family, a generation older than me, until the incident I posted about. I think the percentage of Jews was higher when I lived there than it is now. And of course, the internet.

[Scottie Mom]

6. I despise that phrase!!!!

My gentleman friend and I both have first and last names that in no manner reflect on a the fact that both of us have a Jewish background. Both our first and last names, in fact, sound like an English background.

So, there have been times that that certain antisemitic phrase has been used in front of us. I tried to not say anything for a long time and finally, I stated we both have Jewish backgrounds. Guess what? The person using the phrase simply did not see anything wrong with it and seemed confused that something was said.

Egads.........

[maxsolomon]

9. There's plenty of other words: Haggle, Bargain, Wheedle.

Reynolds is a Repuke, so of course she's cloistered enough no to know it's antisemitic.

[IcyPeas]

10. the houseplant, Wandering Jew

This may not be as big a deal to some but your post just reminded me of this too. I've been interested in houseplants since the 70s. This very popular plant was always known as "wandering jew". I have more recently seen it referred to as Wandering Dude. A lot of gardening/plant stores are calling it that now or it's actual name of Tradescantia Zebrina. Although just last week I saw it in a store labeled Wandering Jew and I did mention to one of the salespeople that I'd seen it referred to as the wandering dude now, she had not heard that.

https://www.gardenstead.com/why-you-shouldnt-use-the-term-wandering-jew/

A favourite of households everywhere for its beautiful appearance, the Tradescantia zebrina is more than a common house plant. While some people may still know it by its derogatory name “wandering jew” it is very important to understand why this name should not be used anymore. What once was a common name for this plant, has long since has gone by the wayside. Taking the time to properly educate yourself on the history behind this plant will help create a more inclusive, safe and culturally aware plant community.

What is the history behind the name?
The reason many people disagree with the name is because of the anti-semitic origins of the term; a term which is clearly intended to discriminate against Jewish people.

The term is believed to have originated in a medieval European folk story about a mythical Jewish man who mocked Jesus and was forced to wander the earth until the apocalypse. This story was created and told to shine a negative light on Jewish people, which is why it is important that this name is not referred to anymore.

Then what should I call it?
You can call it by its traditional name the Tradescantia zebrina
Some call it the wandering dude
Other names for it are Inch Plant
Or Spiderwort
After learning about the history of this term, let’s do better and retire the name for good, and make sure the plant community is inclusive to all.

https://bloomboxclub.com/blogs/news/why-were-no-longer-using-the-name-wandering-jew

Previously, Bloombox Club titled Tradescantia Zebrina with their common name: 'Wandering Jew.'

We assumed the name referred to the Israelites, sentenced to 'wander' through the desert in search of the promised land until the last member of the original generation (Moses) dies.

But further research revealed ‘Wandering Jew’ to be connected to an apocryphal myth, one that has been used to justify anti-Semitism since at least the 13th century.

The story goes that one of the men who taunted Jesus on his way to be crucified was cursed to walk the Earth until the Second Coming. In the context of the observable Jewish diaspora; the displacement of Jewish peoples from the Southern Levant in ancient times, and subsequent statelessness from anti-Semitic regimes, we are profoundly uncomfortable with using this moniker.

[Backseat Driver]

13. I have been pulling out this variety from my vinca ground cover for years

Seems it got in the beds when mulch was placed on the bare spots in the vinca ground-covered beds in the front by the landscapers in my complex. It's a bit lighter green in color and has purply-pink flowers unlike the pretty blue vinca blooms a bit earlier in the spring, but it quickly overcomes the vinca. Each year there's less that comes back each spring from roots, but one needs to take care no stem or leaf is left on fertile ground as you pick a damp day and pull out the whole thing if possible--a real nuisance to eliminate. (I kill all houseplants, LOL!)

https://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/weed-control/how-to-control-trad-or-wandering-jew/

[eppur_se_muova]

15. There is a famous(?) SF novel that features the Wandering Jew as an actual character.

It's called "A Canticle for Leibowitz", and it's by Walter Miller, Jr. It won the Hugo Award and has been cited numerous times as one of the best SF novels ever. Personally, I hated it. Nothing spoils SF like the introduction of religion, and this novel, together with Lester Del Rey's "For I am a Jealous People" are exhibits A1 and A2 in this indictment.

Don't get me started on C.S. Lewis' "Out of the Silent Planet" series. :hurl:

[Zorro]

19. There is a dark humor about "A Canticle for Leibowitz"

The underlying conceit that in a post-apocalyptic world -- several centuries after a nuclear holocaust -- the remnants of the Catholic Church would canonize someone with the name Leibowitz makes the book more than just another SF story. I found the book quite provocative and interesting when I first read it decades ago; think I'll have to go read it again.

As an aside, Miller's short story "The Hoofer" is a nice little read, but don't waste your time with his posthumously published novel "Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman". That's pretty much dreck.

But yeah, "Jew you down" or something similar was what I heard growing up on a few rare occasions, mainly from my Kentucky relations.

[Aristus]

11. Had a guy in the Army ask for a loan until payday. I refused. He hurled "JEW!" at me.

I'm not Jewish, but of course, I knew it was meant in exactly the pejorative way he intended. I don't think I've ever known anyone to have the audacity to claim that it was a compliment.

Oh, and the penniless antisemite? From Ohio.

[eppur_se_muova]

12. My Dad used to use that phrase. When I came home from college, I decided to call him on it ...

the next time I heard him use it.

He never used it again for the rest of his life, without my saying anything. Never asked him about it. I sometimes wonder what the story behind that was. (Why he quit, not why he used it. His father was the obvious explanation.)

(When I was a little kid, I actually thought he was saying "chew him down on the price", which sort of made sense. It wasn't until I was better read that I understood the real phrase.)

[Skittles]

14. thank you

an acquaintance of mine (who I don't see as a bigot) used that phrase in casual conversation, I said JEWED ME DOWN, WTF.....what was strange is, he had a hard time explaining his story without it (something about buying a car), he kind of stumbled through it.....

[70sEraVet]

16. I heard the phrase occasionally when I lived in the Northeast. Now, living in a rural TN county,

I hear it all the time. I really don't think they associate the phrase with Jews. Maybe I'm being naive, but when I point out that it is offensive, they seem genuinely shocked and a bit embarrassed.

[spike jones]

17. Then there is Hip Hip Hooray.

[link:Hip, Hip Hooray ... - Tasmanian Times|
I have read that it was used in eastern Europe before and after WWII when groups of people were starting a hunting party for Jews.

[Paladin]

20. Disgusting phrase. Evidence of a substandard upbringing.

My parents had plenty of faults, but one thing they would not tolerate---from me or any of my school friends, growing up---was antisemitism. My wife and I have instilled the same values in our children. I never would have dreamed this ugly trend would gain such momentum in present-day America.

[Aristus]

21. One-third of our country is evidence of a substandard upbringing.

The American Curse...

[raging moderate]

24. My mother would correct the person: "Scotched you down!"

"You mean he scotched you down!" (She was part Scottish)

[Paladin]

25. I (and my Scots heritage) admire your mother's correction. (nt)

[Coventina]

26. Good grief! More like third-generation racist bigot!!

I was going to type more, but I'm kind of lost for words.