Semantic characteristic of linguistic expressions which invoke negative connotations: such derogatory meaning components can be created by new formations (e.g. wet-backs for ‘illegal Mexican immigrants’), by meaning change, (e.g. dame,...

A word is a term of derision, or a phrase is pejorative, if it implies contempt or disapproval. The adjective pejorative is synonymous with derogatory, derisive, and dyslogistic. When used as an adjective, pejorative has two meanings: (1) tending to...