[LINK] soc.motss and the Bulgarians

[rfmcdonald]

Scott Safier picked the title "We can always call them Bulgarians" for his queer resources page because, it seemed, the word "Bulgarian" was commonly used as a euphemism for non-heterosexuals in American theatre in the first half of the 20th century. When Bulgarian USENET users discovered his site, they were outraged at this slur on their nation's honour. Bulgarian homophobia doubtless had little to do with this affair.

Google Groups has the entire long interesting, and only incidentally depressing controversy archived. USENET is good for something.