If that original usage of mercenary counts, then "foreign" is a tautologous modifier

I agree it's not racist to call (for example) Bassong a mercenary (and as you rightly point out, he really tries, so he's probably not the best example in any event).

However in its current, popular usage mercenary does not carry a connotation of race. Otherwise the articles you cited wouldn't be referencing Fowler, Bardsley et al; and I doubt when people call lawyers "mercenary" they impute any nationality by the term.

Whatever its origins, mercenary now simply means someone who will do things not for love, honour or duty; but for money - which as I pointed out earlier, applies more or less to all of us in our own careers.

Given this current usage of "mercenary", which all your examples actually follow, calling players "foreign mercenaries" clearly implies that being foreign has something to do with a bad attitude.

Unless you have an old definition of racism to go along with your old definition of mercenary, I'm afraid the cap fits. If the intention was in fact the original usage of "mercenary" then "foreign" is tautologous. But I don't think either of us really thinks that was the intent.

Posted By: Old Man on May 12th 2016 at 11:41:43

Message Thread

*Foreign mercenaries* (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 08:40:28
- I don't think it was meant that way (NCFC) - Yellalee, May 12, 11:02:37
  - I respect your view Lee. (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 11:10:39
    - But omitted other black players? That's why it doesn't make sense to me. (n/m) (NCFC) - Yellalee, May 12, 11:20:06
      - Well you don't have to dislike *every* black player (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 12:07:03
      - Details (n/m) (NCFC) - Old Git, May 12, 11:41:22
- and this is exactly why everybody despises you norway (n/m) (NCFC) - South stand corner, May 12, 10:17:00
  - Haha (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 10:27:05
    - Rik from The Young Ones wades into the discussion (NCFC) - South stand corner, May 12, 10:37:47
      - Yep - it was definitely not you being called out the other day (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 10:40:39
        
        as I said, middle class guilt (NCFC) - South stand corner, May 12, 10:46:22
  - What, for calling out casual racism? (NCFC) - Old Man, May 12, 10:23:32
    - Mercenaries are ALWAYS foreign (NCFC) - Old Git, May 12, 10:49:26
      - wib (n/m) (NCFC) - the Tilt Man, Apr 1, 19:16:48
      - Interesting citations to back up your (incorrect) semantic argument (NCFC) - Old Man, May 12, 10:57:26
        
        Oi! You can say what like about my children but never criticise my semantics!! (NCFC) - Old Git, May 12, 11:26:37
        
        If that original usage of mercenary counts, then "foreign" is a tautologous modifier (NCFC) - Old Man, May 12, 11:41:43
        
        Well I guess because of the extent of the metaphorical usage you now have foreign and (NCFC) - Old Git, May 12, 11:55:11
        
        Details (n/m) (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 11:02:23
      - Keep up OG (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 10:54:59
    - he wasn't doing that though (NCFC) - South stand corner, May 12, 10:36:02
- xenophobia (NCFC) - Tombs, May 12, 08:52:16
  - happy buffday Tomblybobs (n/m) (NCFC) - Ralf Scrampton, May 12, 09:57:39
  - Happy birthday (n/m) (NCFC) - happy clappy hughes, May 12, 09:22:44
  - Happy Birthday. What are you doing in Londons? (n/m) (NCFC) - Adster, May 12, 09:09:13
  - Xenophobes... (NCFC) - Rob NCFC, May 12, 09:07:15
  - Happy birthday mate x (n/m) (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 08:59:39
  - Catism (NCFC) - Yellalee, May 12, 08:54:29
    - wahey! cheers Lee 🐱 (n/m) (NCFC) - Tombs, May 12, 08:56:34
- Not racist just ill informed (n/m) (NCFC) - Adster, May 12, 08:50:48
  - No... racist. (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 08:59:03
    - Is it National Virtue Signalling Day or something? (n/m) (NCFC) - Old Git, May 12, 10:33:54
      - Mate (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 10:41:51
    - Interesting who you leave Ollsen or Mbokani out of you accusations. (NCFC) - happy clappy hughes, May 12, 09:22:10
      - What do you think of Pinto? (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 09:36:38
        
        If you look at my post history (NCFC) - happy clappy hughes, May 12, 09:45:18
        
        *Into the side* (n/m) (NCFC) - happy clappy hughes, May 12, 09:45:36
      - Or Tettey for that matter. (n/m) (NCFC) - happy clappy hughes, May 12, 09:25:06
    - Brady and Klose at least have been very good. I think foreign mercenaries applies to (NCFC) - Adster, May 12, 09:08:06
      - Precisely (NCFC) - norway, May 12, 09:34:49

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