Can we do better than "reneger" to replace "Indian Giver"?
May 3, 2018 9:27 AM Subscribe
... Research shows there are several close words, the closest being 'reneger'. We can do better ...
Don your Shakespearean head cover of choice and dig in to this opportunity to come up with a new word, or phrase, preferably word, to name a person who gives something and then takes it back. Research shows there are several close words, the closest being 'reneger'. We can do better. Latin, Chinese, any old roots will do. The more obscure and fun to use the better. The word should feel right 100 years from now, like an old hammer with a smooth handle, for those inclined to tack an -er to newsmakers of late. I am not rich, but I could cook you a pretty nice dinner. And just think, "Invented the word [ ] " would look pretty sweet on a headstone, or maybe a plaque that says "On such and such a day at this place the word [ ] was invented." You know, so a bunch of tourists can annoy your descendants.
Don your Shakespearean head cover of choice and dig in to this opportunity to come up with a new word, or phrase, preferably word, to name a person who gives something and then takes it back. Research shows there are several close words, the closest being 'reneger'. We can do better. Latin, Chinese, any old roots will do. The more obscure and fun to use the better. The word should feel right 100 years from now, like an old hammer with a smooth handle, for those inclined to tack an -er to newsmakers of late. I am not rich, but I could cook you a pretty nice dinner. And just think, "Invented the word [ ] " would look pretty sweet on a headstone, or maybe a plaque that says "On such and such a day at this place the word [ ] was invented." You know, so a bunch of tourists can annoy your descendants.
"taker-backer"
posted by hydra77 at 9:45 AM on May 3, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by hydra77 at 9:45 AM on May 3, 2018 [5 favorites]
We have a related word in English, "defalcator." This has a few meanings but is mostly used to mean "embezzler." I mention it because it has a certain ring to it, doesn't it?
The Italian for "renege" is "dispromettere," which is relatively self-explanatory to my eyes. So "dispromettist" or "disprometter."
posted by adamrice at 9:49 AM on May 3, 2018 [5 favorites]
The Italian for "renege" is "dispromettere," which is relatively self-explanatory to my eyes. So "dispromettist" or "disprometter."
posted by adamrice at 9:49 AM on May 3, 2018 [5 favorites]
Personally I also find it more tasteful to refer to this action as a verb and not as a pejorative noun. (EX: I must reneg on my invitation for tonight, an emergency came up). No one likes name-calling.
posted by cakebatter at 9:49 AM on May 3, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by cakebatter at 9:49 AM on May 3, 2018 [4 favorites]
I’m a proponent of person-first language so person who reneges works fine for me.
posted by warriorqueen at 9:52 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by warriorqueen at 9:52 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
I will support the OP's request for an alternative to 'reneger' by noting that in my dialect of English, from the Southeastern US, the second e in 'reneger' or 'renege' easily becomes a short 'i' instead of a short 'e' and suddenly your harmless synonym sounds like a really offensive word. (Merriam-Webster backs me up on this)
posted by hydropsyche at 9:53 AM on May 3, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 9:53 AM on May 3, 2018 [21 favorites]
A "defaulter" is one who fails to follow through on an an agreement.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:57 AM on May 3, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:57 AM on May 3, 2018 [7 favorites]
In our house we refer to "backsies-givers".
posted by redfoxtail at 10:06 AM on May 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by redfoxtail at 10:06 AM on May 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
in logistics we call that person a diverter. the act is diverting or diversion. It's not looked well upon there either :)
I'd just put "gift" in front of it.
posted by French Fry at 10:18 AM on May 3, 2018
I'd just put "gift" in front of it.
posted by French Fry at 10:18 AM on May 3, 2018
adamrice has a nice Italian one upthread, and if you anglisize it a bit you get 'dispromiser' which has a suitable little sting to it.
posted by glasseyes at 10:18 AM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by glasseyes at 10:18 AM on May 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
I use "colonialist-giver." More historically accurate, perfectly comprehensible to any interlocutor who is familiar with "indian-giver," but jarring and unfamiliar enough to force someone to consciously consider the historical and cultural context of the original term. I like to think it's more effective at scrubbing the original than "simply" providing a drop in replacement that doesn't explicitly call attention to the offensiveness of the phrase it's supposed to replace.
When I was scrubbing "gay" as a synonym for "bad" from my vocabulary, I replaced it with "heteronormative" for similar reasons. Very effective, IME.
posted by Krawczak at 10:19 AM on May 3, 2018 [12 favorites]
When I was scrubbing "gay" as a synonym for "bad" from my vocabulary, I replaced it with "heteronormative" for similar reasons. Very effective, IME.
posted by Krawczak at 10:19 AM on May 3, 2018 [12 favorites]
“Aryan-giver”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:56 AM on May 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:56 AM on May 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: cakebatter, I am in the same boat as hydropsyche, wrt pronunciational proximities. And yes name calling is not great, but the head of this thing was a co-worker calling herself an Indian Giver, and we both paused and uttered "Can we still say that?". Point being it is self referential, not a trident.
So far, in order of appearance...
taker-backer
defalcator
dispromettist (alt -ist + er)
defaulter
backsies-giver(s)
diverter
gift-diverter?
dispromiser
colonialist-giver
Aryan-giver
None of these have that 100 year old tool feel... We'll get there. We got this.
posted by casual observer at 11:03 AM on May 3, 2018
So far, in order of appearance...
taker-backer
defalcator
dispromettist (alt -ist + er)
defaulter
backsies-giver(s)
diverter
gift-diverter?
dispromiser
colonialist-giver
Aryan-giver
None of these have that 100 year old tool feel... We'll get there. We got this.
posted by casual observer at 11:03 AM on May 3, 2018
to name a person who gives something and then takes it back
In the tax world, a giver who retains the right to revoke their gift has made an "incomplete" gift. So, incomplete giver? Gift revoker?
posted by melissasaurus at 11:07 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
In the tax world, a giver who retains the right to revoke their gift has made an "incomplete" gift. So, incomplete giver? Gift revoker?
posted by melissasaurus at 11:07 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Revocateur
posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:14 AM on May 3, 2018 [49 favorites]
posted by HandfulOfDust at 11:14 AM on May 3, 2018 [49 favorites]
Among my friends we refer to Grover Clevelandsies, after the only US president who served two non-consecutive terms ("I'm done...just kidding, give the presidency back!"). However, it should be said that we are a bunch of dorky ladies in mid-life who are 100% here for dumb president humor, as should be clear from my username.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 11:29 AM on May 3, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 11:29 AM on May 3, 2018 [11 favorites]
Reappropriator/ reappropriatrix.
posted by coppermoss at 11:34 AM on May 3, 2018
posted by coppermoss at 11:34 AM on May 3, 2018
A "de-gifter"?
I would go with "flake" for someone who says they're going to do something but then doesn't keep their word, but if it's specifically about giving an item and then trying to get it back, "de-gifter" rolls off the tongue and is clearly understood.
posted by subocoyne at 11:38 AM on May 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
I would go with "flake" for someone who says they're going to do something but then doesn't keep their word, but if it's specifically about giving an item and then trying to get it back, "de-gifter" rolls off the tongue and is clearly understood.
posted by subocoyne at 11:38 AM on May 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Ungiver?
posted by fedward at 11:41 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by fedward at 11:41 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Renege isn't the closest word for this--it is the actual term for this and far predates "Indian Giver".
posted by Polychrome at 11:44 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Polychrome at 11:44 AM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
I like HandfulOfDust's Revocateur.
If you're looking to slangify a term, revocateur could be shortened to "voker" and dispromiser/dispromettist could be shortened to "dispro."
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:19 PM on May 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
If you're looking to slangify a term, revocateur could be shortened to "voker" and dispromiser/dispromettist could be shortened to "dispro."
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:19 PM on May 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
I know it enjoys other uses, but isn't someone who reneges called a renegade? I guess you could append to it and say "gift renegade" or something.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 12:20 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by Mister Moofoo at 12:20 PM on May 3, 2018
Recantor. Retractor.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:26 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 12:26 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
"Oathbreaker'? I think we're sort of distracted, linguistically, by the illusion that mere commoners can own things. A hundred years from now we'll probably have aristocratic and royal classes again.
Besides that, how about "vader"? It sort of sounds like it's based on "to void" but really you're referring to “I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.”
posted by XMLicious at 12:27 PM on May 3, 2018 [4 favorites]
Besides that, how about "vader"? It sort of sounds like it's based on "to void" but really you're referring to “I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.”
posted by XMLicious at 12:27 PM on May 3, 2018 [4 favorites]
As an extra bonus, everybody who gets called an Oathbreaker will show up as a ghost later on and help Aragorn defeat the Corsairs at Pelargir.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:03 PM on May 3, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 1:03 PM on May 3, 2018 [6 favorites]
I like back-taker for this.
posted by Space Kitty at 1:13 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by Space Kitty at 1:13 PM on May 3, 2018
In some business circles they use the term "re-trade" and "re-trader" when someone tries to re-negotiate a deal that was agreed upon.
posted by Mid at 2:18 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by Mid at 2:18 PM on May 3, 2018
I hereby invent the word yoinker.
posted by drlith at 3:17 PM on May 3, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by drlith at 3:17 PM on May 3, 2018 [14 favorites]
We already have a perfectly good word for this: politician.
posted by Athanassiel at 4:47 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by Athanassiel at 4:47 PM on May 3, 2018
Or promise-breaker.
posted by Athanassiel at 4:49 PM on May 3, 2018
posted by Athanassiel at 4:49 PM on May 3, 2018
Boomeranger(though I’m worried that it seems like it’s related to baby boomers).
Ricocheter. Ricochet giver. Giftocheter (with giftochet pronounced similarly to ricochet).
This is a tough post with autocorrect.
posted by FencingGal at 5:31 PM on May 3, 2018
Ricocheter. Ricochet giver. Giftocheter (with giftochet pronounced similarly to ricochet).
This is a tough post with autocorrect.
posted by FencingGal at 5:31 PM on May 3, 2018
Something related to bait and switch?
Bait-switcher?
Switch-baiter?
posted by duoshao at 5:58 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Bait-switcher?
Switch-baiter?
posted by duoshao at 5:58 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
To me reneger is more backing out of a promise, rather than actually taking something back . . .
False giver? Gift-faker? Gift betrayer? Giftrayer? Performative gifter?
"Two-handed gift giver," as in they give with one hand and take with the other?
posted by mark k at 11:08 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
False giver? Gift-faker? Gift betrayer? Giftrayer? Performative gifter?
"Two-handed gift giver," as in they give with one hand and take with the other?
posted by mark k at 11:08 PM on May 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Snatcher-back has a snappy, appropriately derogatory tone to it, I think.
posted by daisyace at 6:52 AM on May 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by daisyace at 6:52 AM on May 4, 2018 [2 favorites]
To riff on that, how about "snatcher-backer"?
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:44 AM on May 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:44 AM on May 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Or "snatch-backer".
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:44 AM on May 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:44 AM on May 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
"Revocateur" has a delicious ring to it, and sounds of course a lot like "provocateur"—a revocateur is certainly likely to provoke!
"Yoinker" is also fantastic. It immediately makes me think of Snake from the Simpsons, which might work against the 100-year feel, but I think it has potential to catch on. It also sounds just insulting enough: "God, he's such a flippin' yoinker!"
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:07 PM on May 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
"Yoinker" is also fantastic. It immediately makes me think of Snake from the Simpsons, which might work against the 100-year feel, but I think it has potential to catch on. It also sounds just insulting enough: "God, he's such a flippin' yoinker!"
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:07 PM on May 4, 2018 [3 favorites]
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posted by cakebatter at 9:33 AM on May 3, 2018 [11 favorites]