Nazi

Many Americans use the word 'nazi' to call someone a name who they think is very strict or acting like a control freak.

This was illustrated in an episode of "Seinfeld," where the Soup Nazi would not give soup to people who ordered in a way that displeased him. On "Grey's Anatomy," there is a strict and tough doctor who has the nickname 'the nazi.'

By using 'nazi' in this way, the heartless brutality of the actual Nazis, who were responsible for the extermination of 6 million Jews, seems to be lost on most Americans.

Example:
-My professor is driving me crazy! She won't let us use our phones in class. What a phone nazi!