Wolfgang

Be aware that many persons use common terms "loosely," and often not correctly. Common usage in the US is quite variable, and the term "bigot" is frequently used when "racist" is meant.

Older dictionaries - 1950s perhaps - nearly always gave an etymology indicating a corruption of "by God," and among members of my own earlier generations, the term used was actually as "he's a By-God (person)," usually as a mildly reproachful term applied to persons of a different faith, as in "he's a By-God Lutheran," or "he's a By-God Catholic."

In that earlier usage, the implication was either that the person attempted to "impose" belief on others, or disparaged persons of other faith. According to my recollection, from when I was 10 or 12 years old, the term was often applied to those who "declined contact" with the community at large, with the implication that the "others were unworthy."

The definition given by my Random House CD dictionary reflects the current meaning when the term is used accurately in the sense that literate Americans use it:

"A person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion."

The definition cites the 1590-1600 Medieval French/Old French usage as a derogatory name applied by the French to the Normans, and notes "perh. OE: God, by God"

Note that in current usage, as indicated by this definition, the term can be applied to political or social belief, as well as to religious belief. When applied to other than a religious belief, it is common to apply a "clarifying adjective," as in "a liberal bigot," or "conservative bigot."

The term should not, normally, be applied to one who holds strong beliefs. It is properly used only for those who attempt to force their beliefs on others.

An operative requirement is that the belief that the bigot attempts to impose is a "rote rule," but the rule can come from any "scripture," whether it be a bible, Mein Kampf, the Communist Manifesto, the current party platform, or any other.

In colloquial usage, "Natzi" is almost interchangeable with "bigot" since the Natzi regime used the bigotry of the population so extensively in establishing their power (e.g. Nuremburg 1939 "racial purity," indistinguishable from US "sanctity of marriage" movement ca. 2003 to current).

We have lots of them in Kansas.

John