Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]

Merged: Polak slang term meanings

I need more answers than what I'm getting. My last name is polish but I don't have much history to go on, it frustrates me I can't explain to others about my last name or the country. One thing that is hard to explain is why 'Polak' is an offensive term. Growing up I have never thought of it as offensive, I never looked into it. When I google it, the only things that come up are urban dictionary referring it to be the same offense as using the term nig*er, or calling a mexican a wetback? I want the history. Who started it, why is it offensive, was it something that came forward during Nazi? I hate these short simple answers I keep getting. I want to know this because everytime I say my last name, Orzechowski, I hear 'ahh, Polak...'