A hundred years ago it was mildly derogatory, but I don't think I've met someone who was offended by "dude" unless it was affront at the extreme informality of

A hundred years ago it was mildly derogatory, but I don't think I've met someone who was offended by "dude" unless it was affront at the extreme informality of the word. (Maybe that's too fine of a distinction to make.)