# The recent taboo of using the N-word under ANY circumstances **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 4, 2019, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189 "2019-01-04T11:03:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/21 "2019-01-04T17:27:55Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Probably a prudent practice considering people have been raked over the coals for saying “niggardly”. Let’s be honest here, the only time people use the word niggardly is to tweak people perceived as overly PC, or to talk about “that time someone got in trouble for using niggardly” It’s an archaic word whose usage is driven entirely by it’s resemblance to a vulgarity. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/22 "2019-01-04T17:42:11Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Probably a prudent practice considering people have been raked over the coals for saying “niggardly”. “People”? I know of one person from that stupid incident, what, 10-15 years ago? Anyway, are you going to respond to the OP? Is there a recent taboo of using the N-word under ANY circumstances? I’ve already cited two places where it was used – current rap songs and the Jackie Robinson movie, so my view is that the OP is wrong, but I’d be interested in counter cites. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/23 "2019-01-04T17:47:08Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > “People”? I know of one person from that stupid incident, what, 10-15 years ago? > > Anyway, are you going to respond to the OP? Is there a recent taboo of using the N-word under ANY circumstances? I’ve already cited two places where it was used – current rap songs and the Jackie Robinson movie, so my view is that the OP is wrong, but I’d be interested in counter cites. I can’t speak for the OP, but I don’t think rap or the Jackie Robinson movie are good examples: 1. Most rappers are black. There is a societal understanding that it’s OK for black people to use the N word and not okay for non-blacks to do so. 2. The Jackie Robinson movie only “got away” with it because it fit several narrow criteria: Everyone understood that it was an anti-racist movie, and also that the movie would have gotten far more flak for substituting “N-word” for “nigger” or “African-American” for “nigger” (if the actors had said to Jackie, “You fucking AFRICAN-AMERICAN,” it would have been downright farcical.) Whereas a school teacher faces criticism for pronouncing the word “nigger” out loud while reading Huck Finn because there is a perceived alternative - he/she can opt to say “N-word” instead of nigger. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/24 "2019-01-04T17:52:56Z")
I think you should take that up with the OP, since he/she was asking about the taboo under ANY circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/25 "2019-01-04T17:56:05Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Actually I’d agree with the OP but don’t think it’s unique in that respect. There are a number of pejoratives and slurs in English that many people are uncomfortable saying; even when it’s just quoting something that someone said. Plenty of times you’ll hear people say “the C-word” or “a MF” in contexts where swearing would be OK but still it’s just not something you want to voice. > > And it’s the same with other languages IME. > > Probably, in English, \*\*nigger \*\*is right at the top end of offensiveness but some word had to be, and with the history it’s not surprising. (Bolding mine.) Please note the lack of widespread condemnation. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/26 "2019-01-04T17:58:12Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > (Bolding mine.) > > Please note the lack of widespread condemnation. Hmmm, that must also not be a “circumstance” according to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/27 "2019-01-04T18:34:59Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Let’s be honest here, the only time people use the word niggardly is to tweak people perceived as overly PC, or to talk about “that time someone got in trouble for using niggardly” > > It’s an archaic word whose usage is driven entirely by it’s resemblance to a vulgarity. Quite possibly, today. But I’ll note at a little over 50 I learned it as a regular word and I never even noticed the similarity until the first controversy came around about 20 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/28 "2019-01-04T19:16:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Everyone understood that it was an anti-racist movie, and also that the movie would have gotten far more flak for substituting “N-word” for “nigger” or “African-American” for “nigger” (if the actors had said to Jackie, “You fucking AFRICAN-AMERICAN,” it would have been downright farcical.) Whereas a school teacher faces criticism for pronouncing the word “nigger” out loud while reading Huck Finn because there is a perceived alternative - he/she can opt to say “N-word” instead of nigger. I’m not sure I understand the distinction you’re drawing here. Why is it farcical for a film to self-censor but totally reasonable for a teacher to censor great American literature? The film, for what it’s worth, could also have bleeped out the word. Which seems like a reasonable choice if you’re threading the needle of verisimilitude and propriety. And what about Tarantino’s movies. They basically all use the word, and while they certainly have something of an anti-racist vibe, Django Unchained is the only one where that’s the central focus. I think it’s clear that context is relevant, but also that people avoid using the word even when it would be contextually reasonable because it’s so easy for things to be taken out of context, and why open yourself up to that? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/29 "2019-01-05T01:31:19Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Only I know my own intent, and when I search deep within my own heart my motives are pure. I practice a Buddhist form of meditation called Lovingkindness, which means that I radiate an attitude of goodwill towards all sentient beings in the universe. Don’t believe me? I’m sorry, I can’t prove it to you but it happens to be the truth. Does this extend to people who have their children circumcised? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/30 "2019-01-05T01:46:52Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > It’s an archaic word whose usage is driven entirely by it’s resemblance to a vulgarity. ‘Snigger’, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/31 "2019-01-05T03:22:32Z")
On the TV Show QI, they pointed out that an English word with many meanings is “jigger” (though most are variations of saying “thingy”). I think that word will probably die out too. And IMO it’s normal and not a big deal. It’s like how “clean \'s clock” is becoming pretty rare IME. It sounds too close to “cock” in this kind of sentence, so people use some other substitute. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/32 "2019-01-05T03:52:53Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > On the TV Show QI, they pointed out that an English word with many meanings is “jigger” (though most are variations of saying “thingy”). I think that word will probably die out too. > > And IMO it’s normal and not a big deal. > It’s like how “clean \'s clock” is becoming pretty rare IME. It sounds too close to “cock” in this kind of sentence, so people use some other substitute. “Lost jigger of salt” is a pretty famous line from a pretty famous song, so I doubt that’s going anywhere. It’s a pretty standard drink measure. And, I have no idea where you come up with “clean someone’s clock” sounding like “cock” – that’s just bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/33 "2019-01-05T04:54:49Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Does this extend to people who have their children circumcised? Dude. Knock it off. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/34 "2019-01-05T04:59:26Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > And, I have no idea where you come up with “clean someone’s clock” sounding like “cock” – that’s just bizarre. Which part is bizarre: whether the word “clock” and “cock” sound similar or that in this context some people would find it an awkward phrase to voice? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/35 "2019-01-05T06:24:00Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > On the TV Show QI, they pointed out that an English word with many meanings is “jigger” (though most are variations of saying “thingy”). I think that word will probably die out too. Well, not in some warehouses. [“Jigger” is a common name for a pallet jack.](http://www.usgr.com/pallet-jacks/about_pallet-jacks_pallet-trucks_pump-trucks_jiggers.php) I’m not aware of any effort to start using the term “jegro” instead. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/36 "2019-01-05T07:08:44Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Intent and context should matter. …former President of the United States Barack Obama used the n-word in a public venue which was [widely reported](https://www.ajc.com/news/national/word-used-president-obama-podcast-interview-race/hzOPibuZCFpPKgjvRKAaoL/). It was relatively uncontroversial. It appears that intent and context does matter. Can you make a case that it does not? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/37 "2019-01-05T09:54:03Z")
The situation is not analogous to blasphemy - because African-Americans aren’t imaginary beards in the sky, but real human beings with real feelings. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/38 "2019-01-05T13:09:43Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I think you should take that up with the OP, since he/she was asking about the taboo under ANY circumstances. Perhaps I should have been more specific: the taboo is for white people to say the word under any circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/39 "2019-01-05T13:55:44Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > “Lost jigger of salt” is a pretty famous line from a pretty famous song I believe the line is “Searching for my lost shaker of salt”. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189/40 "2019-01-05T14:10:43Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Which part is bizarre: whether the word “clock” and “cock” sound similar or that in this context some people would find it an awkward phrase to voice? I’m saying I’ve never heard of anyone not using that phrase because clock sounds like cock. It’s a pretty old-fashioned phrase, so it might be going out of favor, but I’d like a cite that it’s going away because of the similarity of those words. Do people avoid referring to shih tzu dogs or shiitake mushrooms? How about Suffolk County or Norfolk Virginia? Anyway, I had forgotten about that other use for jigger that **Bryan Ekers** brought up. When I was in manufacturing, it was used all the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-taboo-of-using-the-n-word-under-any-circumstances/827189.md?page=3)