[matsemann]

> don't know how you could see "mongoDB" and not think it is tech

I disagree with the author in that I would be comfortable wearing a mongodb shirt in public. Mongoloid is a slur, and at least in Norway it's often shortened to "mongo".

[icelancer]

I wouldn't be comfortable wearing a MongoDB shirt in public either. I mean, it's awful technology.

[jjgreen]

Is that a racial slur (i.e., Asian), or about Down syndrome? The latter was used in the UK many years ago, I've not heard it for 25 years (?), so "mongo" wouldn't raise an eyebrow here now.

[matsemann]

It's kinda both. Mongoloid here used to refer to people with Downs, by comparing them to the (non existent) Asian race of Mongoloids due to both often having eyes with epicanthic fold. Of course I didn't know this when using it as a kid back in the days, and I've luckily not heard it used for ages, but I think all of my peers would remember it if used on a t-shirt.

[vladvasiliu]

In France, that would be related to Down syndrome. Technically, in these parts it would be "mongol", with an l, like the people of Mongolia.

AFAICT it's not exactly used against people with actual Down syndrome, but rather as a synonym for "idiot" and the like.

[stvltvs]

Interesting, in the States, that term is no longer used very much and was never shortened AFAIK.

[selimthegrim]

I’m pretty sure it was shortened, but as a name for a character

[jjgreen]

In "Blazing Saddles" ...