I'm looking for a word (phrase if necessary) that means "a term of endearment", but more specifically, a term of endearment that was/is somewhat derogatory and even better, a term that is now accepted by the community (or person) for which it was originally derogatory.
Like the term "ham" for a radio amateur.
Over the years radio amateurs have adopted the my word here "ham" for themselves with seemingly no remorse.