Context matters. Since the phrase "forked tongue" became a stereotyped cliché of Hollywood Cowboy & Indian movies, it is probably best cast on the scrap heap of stereotyped idiom history, along with "paddy wagon" and "welshing on a bet." To utter the phrase to someone with an American Indian background is tacky at best (with or without the "a"), and most certainly insensitive. However many people have no clue why such phrases might offend, so I usually strike up a conversation about how old phrases should be inspected anew.
Chip Berlet
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org
> [mailto:lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org] On Behalf Of Michael Dawson
> Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 1:09 PM
> To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
> Subject: RE: [lbo-talk] Question about appropriateness of a phrase
>
>
> Did you leave out the "a" in front of "forked" on purpose?
> If so, then I say it's a moderately offensive caricature. If
> you use the "a," then I think you're just using a
> generally-accepted phrase, though perhaps not the best one
> for the occasion. There are lots of substitutes: two-faced,
> both sides of your mouth, hypocrite, having and eating of cake, etc.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org
> > [mailto:lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org]
> > On Behalf Of John Thornton
> > Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 9:28 AM
> > To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
> > Subject: [lbo-talk] Question about appropriateness of a phrase
> >
> > This list is filled with people whom I may occasionally
> disagree with
> > over some issues but whose opinions I generally value as they are
> > about as progressive as one can be and still be grounded so
> I'd like
> > to pose a question before I do something hateful and rash. Does the
> > phrase "You speak with forked tongue" when directed at someone of
> > known Native American ancestry seem like a very
> inappropriate racially
> > offensive phrase? Since Kelley and I disagreed one time
> over the use
> > of the term redneck I'd be especially interested in your
> opinion but
> > I'd like several people to comment if they don't mind. Thanks.
> >
> > John Thornton
> >