Zipperhead

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Spooner

Lifer
Jan 16, 2000
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i know eastwood uses this a lot in Gran Torino, but I've never heard of this as a racial slur

where does this originate, or is it an eastwood original?


(great movie btw)
 

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
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A racial slur coined by US soldiers during Korean War because if Asians were shot in the head with high-powered weapons, their heads would split as if you unzipped them.
 

Sedition

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Dec 23, 2008
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Originally posted by: sourceninja

A racial slur coined by US soldiers during Korean War because if Asians were shot in the head with high-powered weapons, their heads would split as if you unzipped them.

this is what I thought.
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
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Did not know the real reason, I have heard this term in a couple of movies referring to Asians in the war.
 

Spooner

Lifer
Jan 16, 2000
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Originally posted by: sourceninja

A racial slur coined by US soldiers during Korean War because if Asians were shot in the head with high-powered weapons, their heads would split as if you unzipped them.

Ouch :eek:
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,714
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Yep...during the Vietnam War, the "locals" were (among other slurs) known as zipperheads. It was NOT meant in a kindly way...
 

Ramma2

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Jul 29, 2002
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Originally posted by: sourceninja

A racial slur coined by US soldiers during Korean War because if Asians were shot in the head with high-powered weapons, their heads would split as if you unzipped them.

You live up to your userid!
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
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Hmm, I heard that it was because jeeps were often used to run into enemy soldiers, and the tire tread marks they left on their faces resembled zippers. Could be either one or a combination of both, I guess.
 
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