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marshall

(6,706 posts)

10. Those definitions make no reference to the phrase's racist origins

Wed May 15, 2013, 04:27 PM

May 2013

In days gone by, when Native Americans were forced to live on reservations, they were not allowed to leave without written permission from the US agent who was assigned to their area. If they left without such permission, they were termed "off the reservation." In that sense it is similar to the less racially charged term "AWOL."

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Source: Two 'rogue' workers principally behind IRS targeting of conservatives [View all] brooklynite May 2013 OP

Kick (nt) pinto May 2013 #1

Who uses the term "off the reservation" nowdays? marshall May 2013 #2

That jumped out at me too. (nt) Control-Z May 2013 #5

Tell me again JustAnotherGen May 2013 #3

Not as stupid as one might think. zeemike May 2013 #4

"off the reservation" Life Long Dem May 2013 #6

Those definitions make no reference to the phrase's racist origins marshall May 2013 #10

Sounds like they should be fired! hrmjustin May 2013 #7

So my question is: Control-Z May 2013 #8

Am I the only person who feels this may have been justified? thefool_wa May 2013 #9

Agreed! Auntie Bush May 2013 #12

IRS handling of tax-exempt status for tea party groups was not limited to these two employees. Bandit May 2013 #11

BENGHAZI! nt Earth_First May 2013 #13

Rove and Cbeney? (nt) ehrnst May 2013 #14