Quote Originally Posted by Sigma-Astra View Post
Then, why can't people just say high spenders or people with more of a disposable income? Why do we need to use derogatory names to section off a portion of the playerbase that's capable of purchasing optional content just because a choice few cannot or will not? Should the people that you're calling "whales" start calling the other side as "entitled, whining children" for wanting it free in-game, cheaper, or not at all? Should that side start calling those people "cheapskates"?

The answer is no on both accounts. We need to stop the name-calling and insulting of other players just because they can spend money on something they want and you want at the same time, but you're not willing to pay for it at it's full price or don't want it there period.
"Whales" is literately what companies (the term was coined by Zynga I believe in F2P games, the Farmville people) call their highest spenders. And not every "whale" is in it for themselves, they will spend large amounts of money on their friends. The analogy to reality is the dude with the expensive home, who has lavish parties every weekend.

The term itself, earliest use on the internet I can find is from 2004-2006 for poker "extreme high rollers" of online poker. It's ALWAYS used pejoratively. "A gift from the casino gods" is essentially what they are.