Gook (/ˈɡuːk/ or /ˈɡʊk/) is a derogatory term for people of Asian descent. The term may have originated among U.S. Marines during the Philippine-American War (1899 – 1902). If so, it could be related to the use of "gook" as a slang term for prostitute during that period. Historically, U.S. military personnel used the word to refer to non-Americans of various races. The earliest published example is dated 1920 and notes that U.S. Marines then in Haiti used the term to refer to Haitians. It acquired its current racial meaning as a result of movies dealing with the Vietnam War.