This Name Is Too Offensive For A Snack Food, But Not For An NFL Team

A U.S. government agency put the smack-down on one snack product's application for a trademark Monday, citing an offensive word in the product's name.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the federal agency responsible for granting trademarks, said in a letter that it would not issue a trademark to "Redskins Hog Rinds" because the word "Redskin" is considered "derogatory."

"Registration is refused because the applied-for mark REDSKINS HOG RINDS consists of or includes matter which may disparage or bring into contempt or disrepute persons, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols," the letter read. The letter also cited online dictionary definitions of the word that say "Redskin" is a "dated" and "offensive" term used to refer to Native Americans.

The attempt to get a trademark for the hog rinds was submitted by the California-based law firm LegalForce RAPC Worldwide on behalf of an unnamed Capitol Heights, Md., man, according to The Washington Post.

Washington, D.C.'s, NFL team, the Washington Redskins, have also run into trouble over their controversial name. Legislation was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives last spring that would cancel the team's trademark of the word "redskin" and would also ban future trademarks using the word.

Still, according to a 2013 poll, an overwhelming majority of Americans don't think the football team's name needs to be changed.

(Hat tip: Think Progress)