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I see that term get thrown around a lot, and I find it really offensive. I wish people wouldn’t say it.
I suppose having some German heritage makes it sting a little more than it does for other people, but I think adding “Nazi” to anything is just offensive. You’re likening someone to a group of really horrible people who did really bad things, and it’s just going too far in my opinion.
Grammar Nazi is a hurtful term, and in most cases people really mean for it to be. Those of us who use and promote proper grammar, spelling and punctuation are not evil, bad or wrong. We care about something that’s actually important to society and communication. Using offensive terms toward us is disrespectful. There’s no need to say that to anyone.
If you need a term for people who are vigilant about grammar, call us Grammar Police, Or Grammar Enforcers. At least that sounds more like a profession than an insult. Someone I know even suggested calling us “Grammar Angels” since we do try to help people be better communicators, even if they don’t see it that way.
I can sort of understand the harsh, offensive terms if you’re talking about someone who’d be happy to ban people from a site, or the whole internet, for not being able to write properly. However, it’s really not necessary to insult them. You can be the bigger person and just realize that in their mind they’re trying to do what they think is best for the site or society, and while their methods may be off, their reasoning is sound.
I can’t stop the use of the term globally, but I’d really appreciate it if no one called me Grammar Nazi, at least not where I can see it. Enforcer, Police, Angel, aficionado, lover, those are fine by me. Just stop using the terms that make it sound like I’m some sort of evil entity trying to crush freedom and expression.
