12 Everyday Words You Use That Are Actually Racist
6. Vandal
Extremely similar to a "barbarian" in many ways, a "Vandal" was originally a member of the Germanic people who ran around Europe and North Africa smashing up the place in the 4th and 5th Centuries. Having invaded Rome and sacked the place, the East Germanic tribe's actions became infamous - and so "vandalism" arose as a result. Despite countless other tribes and societies throughout history smashing things up, for some reason the Vandals became synonymous with deliberately damaging someone else's property. Harsh indeed.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
Extremely similar to a "barbarian" in many ways, a "Vandal" was originally a member of the Germanic people who ran around Europe and North Africa smashing up the place in the 4th and 5th Centuries. Having invaded Rome and sacked the place, the East Germanic tribe's actions became infamous - and so "vandalism" arose as a result. Despite countless other tribes and societies throughout history smashing things up, for some reason the Vandals became synonymous with deliberately damaging someone else's property. Harsh indeed.