Gil, how was the term used?

If used as an "informer", I wouldn't call that defamatory or relating to the character of one.

The police and Government uses "snitches" and it is considered a good thing.

This board has evolved to the point where every word is looked at with the potential intent of calling someone a basher, critiquing their character, etc.

Kind of reflects our current social outlook where a wrong word or statement may ban someone from life.