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Ever Been Called "Chief"?

by thunderbird
11 replies
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I don't like being called chief. It grates my nerves.
  • Profile picture of the author LastWarrior
    In regards to the US crowd, some non-native people know "Chief" as
    the leader of his particular clan. So when they call someone chief,
    they think they are imparting some sort of compliment.

    Then as some words have changed over the years, like gay, fag or
    squaw, the meaning has changed. Gay use to mean happy. Fag use
    to mean a bundle of sticks and means cigarette to some in different
    countries. And squaw use to just mean a female native and now
    is used more often as a term of a more offensive nature.

    From my experience in the MN area of the US and the many reser-
    vations, I've seen/heard the word "chief" directed at people many
    times and have some guesstimate stats. Chief is used about 75%
    of the time as a complicate or someone's nickname and remaining
    as a means to impose a derogatory sarcastic remark.

    And yes, I've been called chief a few times... usually having to do
    with being the tough boss in one of my service businesses. LOL!

    LastWarrior
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    • Profile picture of the author Wade_Wells
      Chief = Leader, Boss. Term of respect.

      In the US Army, it was (I've been out for twenty plus years now, so no idea if it still is) term of respect often used to reference a section leader.

      As a section leader, my men would often refer to me as "Chief." Example: "Hey Chief, are going to be working in the motor pool today?"

      "Top" would be a First Sergeant. Example: "Good morning, Top."

      I had a guy work for me for a little over a year, a few years ago, when restoring a classic vehicle. He always referred to me as "Chief." He was ex-military as well. I never really thought about it, but looking back, I'm sure it was his way of letting me know he saw me as the boss.
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      • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
        That's all true about Chief being a somewhat term of respect.

        The thing is I think I know how Thunderbird feels...it can also be condescending...my pet peeve is 'Sport' or 'Slick'
        I absolutely cannot stand it.
        I rarely condescend to anyone and I don't expect it from anyone else...especially people I barely know.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          My friend Warner Kielwasser, who I have totally lost touch with (Warner, if
          you're reading this, call me ) used to call me chief and I called him chief.

          It was just kind of a goof between us. We were really close at one time when
          we played in a band together but then he just vanished off the face of the
          planet.

          Anyway, that's my story.
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          • Profile picture of the author ThomM
            Chief, not so much.
            I get called Boss though on occasion, in fact it happened today.
            The thing is, is that Boss is a southern prison term for a guard.
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  • Profile picture of the author olawriter
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by olawriter View Post

      Yes I have been called 'chief'. I do not find it offensive.
      I think it depends how it's used and which part of the World you're from.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    I've been called a lot worse than chief and I'm still standing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      On any given day in London, one is liable to be addressed as: chief, boss, guv'nor, squire, mate, man, sunshine, pal and ducky (although that last one is usually restricted to certain parts of town).


      Frank
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      • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
        Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

        On any given day in London, one is liable to be addressed as: chief, boss, guv'nor, squire, mate, man, sunshine, pal and ducky (although that last one is usually restricted to certain parts of town).


        Frank
        As far as I know, most of those terms are not used in Canada. Newfoundland may have a few doozies, since they've retained a lot of stuff from Ireland and other parts of the Old World.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sunfyre7896
    Chief can be used in a military context, but at least in Texas, it's used as somewhat insulting. This is used mainly in a context of impatience or you did something the other didn't particularly find amusing. Such as "Are you gonna move it today sometime Chief."
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
    I must be weird. Names never bothered me much. That old saying "Call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner!" is what I have lived by my entire life.

    I have been called many names - many of which I would not repeat here - but I learned something at a young age: No one can insult you without your permission. SO if a name like Chief, Man, Dude, Idjut, Moron, Doofus, etc. bother you it's simply because you allow it to.

    Sticks and stones, after all...

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