NIGGER

Of all the words in the American English lexicon, there is perhaps one of all others whose usage conjures more explicit and implicit personal, political, social, cultural meanings and messages than all others, the word N-I-G-G-E-R. In fact the level of awareness and sensitivity in the mere recanting of "this word" has been problematic, and is often referred to as "the N-Word" to shield us from its offense. Quoting Merriam-Webster’s online reference, the word nigger "now ranks as perhaps the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English." There are also those who advocate removing the word from dictionaries all together.

The term has taken on several meanings, of which additional details, descriptions, and explanations is provided below. Briefly, the word is prevalently used in the following contexts: 1) as a racial slur, 2) a negative description for any dark-skinned people, 3) a negative description of people, irrespective of physical appearance connoting low social, political, moral, cultural, or economic status, and 4) a reference used by Blacks for other Blacks; used "affectionately/politically empowering" in Black "vernacular" or as a description of negative behaviors.

The use of the term "nigger" by Blacks in reference to others Blacks is generally tolerated, although its usage in this context is highly offensive to some. The mere utterance of this term by Whites is generally frowned upon, and may elicit strong or volatile reactions regardless of its contextual usage.

1. a. A Negro. (Colloq. And usu. contemptuous.) Except in Black English vernacular, where it remains common, now virtually restricted to contexts of deliberate and contemptuous ethnic abuse. b. Loosely or incorrectly applied to members of other dark-skinned races. c. to work like a nigger, to work exceptionally hard. orig. U.S.

Function: noun; Etymology: alteration of earlier neger, from Middle French negre, from Spanish or Portuguese negro, from negro black, from Latin niger; Date: 1700

1 usually offensive, see usage paragraph below : a black person

2 usually offensive, see usage paragraph below : a member of any dark-skinned race

3 a member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons <it's time for somebody to lead all of America's niggers... all the people who feel left out of the political process -- Ron Dellums usage Nigger in senses 1 and 2 can be found in the works of such writers of the past as Joseph Conrad, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens, but it now ranks as perhaps the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English. Its use by and among blacks is not always intended or taken as offensive, but, except in sense 3, it is otherwise a word expressive of racial hatred and bigotry.

1: (Verb) To divide (a log) into shorter lengths by burning it at the desired intervals; hence niggering. 2: To do, make, or repair (something) in a careless, haphazard, or tasteless manner; to mess (something) up. "Let’s don’t nigger it up—said to black workers. 3: To idle, laze around.

(Noun) A black person. This word has been in use since the late 18^th century. It is now a term of racist abuse when used by white speakers, although it can be used affectionately or sardonically between black speakers. The word is derived from niger, the Latin word for the colour black, via Spanish (negro), French (negre) and the archaic English neger.

1. a derogatory term for a Negro. Currently one of the most contemptible terms for a Negro. "NIGGER" REFERENCES:

nigger-brand – an ulceration on the back of a horse.

niggerdom (also Negrodom) – the life and culture of the American Negro.

nigger-driver – a hard taskmaster. One who drives blacks or one who is powerful and brutal.

nigger-heaven – the upper balcony in a movie theater.

nigger-lover – a term for a Caucasian who associates with Negroes or who takes up civil rights causes. [Jig-Lover]

nigger-luck – amazingly good luck.

nigger-night – Saturday night.

nigger-special – a watermelon.

nigger-steak – a slice of liver. Because liver was considered an inferior cut of meat and because of the color.

nigger-tip – a small tip or none at all. Refers to tipping as in a restaurant. [US 1900s]

nigger-up – to outfit in a gaudy or outlandish manner. Refers to personal dress, cars, etc.

Wash a Negro – To attempt the impossible; Barrow, in Sermons, circa 1677, ‘Therefore was he put … to wash Negros … to reform a most perverse and stubborn generation.’ OED

Nigra (niggra, nigruh) – A Black person. The common Southern pronunciation of negro, is all but universal in Virginia. 1938 Daniels, "And this planter was saving a little nigra girl for himself." 1942, "Washington niggras are a bad, dangerous lot. I’m a Southerner. I know."

Black comedian Rudy Ray Moore as character Dolemite: "My Nigger if you don’t get no bigger," **Audio**

Super Cat

Carl Sandberg

Patti Smith

John Lennon and Yoko Ono : Woman is Nigger of the World

Numerous sources are available during and after the slavery period, i.e. Mark Twain’s "Huckleberry Finn," Harriet B. Stowe’s "Uncle Tom’s Cabin"

"Why We Should Delete ‘Nigger’ From Our Vocabulary"

Black Perspectives on the "N-Word"

Senator Byrd’s Comments, using the term "white nigger"

"Nigger!" As a Problem in the Law: Lecture, Professor Kennedy, Harvard Law School – **Media/Audio**

Ayto, J., and Simpson, J. The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang. New York: Oxford

University Press, 1992.

Blaxploitation.com. "The Soul Of Nigger Charley." blaxploitation.com/p_23.html (Larry

Spangler Paramount, 1973)

Cassidy, F.G., and Hall, J.H. Dictionary of American Regional English, V. III, I-O.

Harvard University Press, 1996.

Knowles, Elizabeth, and Julia Elliott, Eds. The Oxford Dictionary of New Words. New

York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.m-w.com. (2001)

Partridge, E.P. A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, Eighth Ed. New

York, 1984.

Simpson, J.A., and E.S.C. Weiner. The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Ed., V. X,

M-O. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989.

Spears, R. Slang and Euphemism. Middle Village, New York: Jonathan David

Publishers, Inc., 1981.

Thorne, T. The Dictionary of Contemporary Slang. New York: Pantheon Books, 1990.

Copyright Charlie M. Williams, 2001