Ottoman

[Pastor Dave]

Could it be that the name often used for a footrest is also a derogatory term? (Something like 'under foot?')

[joko]

an ottoman is not designed to be a footrest - its a storage box with a usually padded flip-up lid - apparently came from the ottoman empire.

I've never heard it used as a derogatory term...would people "get it"?

I suppose you could start a new form of insult though..

you big ottoman! ;oP

[shaneystar]

An upholstered sofa or divan without arms or a back.
An upholstered low seat or cushioned footstool.
A heavy silk or rayon fabric with a corded texture, usually used for coats and trimmings.
Of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its people, language, or culture.
A Turk, especially a member of the family or tribe of Osman 1
Never heard of it used as a derogatory term though.
I don't think it would catch on somehow !

[Marsh]

How about Pouf or Pouffe which fit both definitions?

[Grunty]

We have always been taught to hate people we are at war with, so it is possible because we were at war with the Ottoman Empire in the 1914 - 1918 war. Similar attitudes have resulted in sayings like "Dutch courage", French leave" and "Turk's head". We are of course now friendly with those countries.

[Narolines]

I've never heard of it as a derogatory term either - nor "Turk's Head", for that matter, which is a fancy knot, I always assumed so called because it resembles a turbanned head and "Turkish" was at one time used as a general term equating to "exotic and eastern".

[Quizmonster]

There is a quote from a 17th century sermon which reads: "They do not Ottomanlike one brother kill another to reign alone."
Clearly, the preacher didn't hold them in very high esteem! Presumably, also, he expected his congregation to know about the murderous tendencies he was talking about, so they probably had anti-Turkish feelings, too.

[Pastor Dave]

Joko...if you were an Arab, yes...you would get it. This is my point. Perhaps the term was designed to offend hte 'right' people. The Ottoman's were Arabs, and there is hardly a greater insult in that culture than to be put 'under foot.' I'm wondering if Grunty is on to something...
PD

[Quizmonster]

The Ottomans weren't Arabs, they were Turks. The name itself comes from the founder - Othman/Osman - of the Turkish empire around 1300 AD.
They overran the Arab lands of the Middle East, so it is quite conceivable that the Arab equivalent of 'ottoman' would be an insult used in Arabic but there is no history of any such meaning in English whatever...even though we did fight them in WWI. (Lawrence of Arabia and all that.)

[joko]

pastor - as i said ottomans were not necessarily made for feet - they are padded storage boxes or seats - they can of course be used for whatever you like but that was not why they were invented.

ottoman is the name of the empire - so if you called someone it - it would be true if you were from that place.

[mmmm pie]

no its the bus driver in the simpsons!!