NationStates Jolt Archive

The word "niggardly" is an english word far removed from the word ******; We can trace the origins of 'niggardly' to the 1300's, and to the word 'ignon', meaning "miser".

But there are people who have found themselves in trouble for using it.

White staff member, David Howard, uttered the word 'niggardly' in a private staff meeting and was forced to resign.

A fourth-grade teacher at Williams Elementary School was fired for teaching her students the word 'niggardly'.

Here we see that the ignorance of a word defining the ridiculousness of political correctness. Isn't it time for people to get over slurs in general, especially when a word is used without intentional harm to someone?

Forget that n-word - I hate the other N-word much more: (Nazi)

The word "niggardly" is an english word far removed from the word ******; We can trace the origins of 'niggardly' to the 1300's, and to the word 'ignon', meaning "miser".

But there are people who have found themselves in trouble for using it.

White staff member, David Howard, uttered the word 'niggardly' in a private staff meeting and was forced to resign.

A fourth-grade teacher at Williams Elementary School was fired for teaching her students the word 'niggardly'.

Here we see that the ignorance of a word defining the ridiculousness of political correctness. Isn't it time for people to get over slurs in general, especially when a word is used without intentional harm to someone?
See, now I thought that Niggardly came from an Icelandic term. Go figure. I think I've heard about Mr. Howard, and I believe he was given a different position after a public outcry. However, that could have been a different case.
Also, there is also an odd law in some States' criminal codes that provides a defence if an assault is committed after the victim called the perpetrator a ******. That's only a few states, as I recall. A bad law, I think, because it's a pretty sorry excuse, and it's not easy to verify what someone said after the fact.

The word "niggardly" is an english word far removed from the word ******; We can trace the origins of 'niggardly' to the 1300's, and to the word 'ignon', meaning "miser".

But there are people who have found themselves in trouble for using it.

White staff member, David Howard, uttered the word 'niggardly' in a private staff meeting and was forced to resign.

A fourth-grade teacher at Williams Elementary School was fired for teaching her students the word 'niggardly'.

Here we see that the ignorance of a word defining the ridiculousness of political correctness. Isn't it time for people to get over slurs in general, especially when a word is used without intentional harm to someone?

your damn right,whitey.(No,I mean it,you are.)

So you can get in trouble for using a word that sounds like a swear word? I'd better start eating with chopsticks, lest I am scorned for speaking of forks in front of children.

America has a method of trying to erase words from history, and I think it's a bad idea.

What exactly is the hell point of this thread?

I see "the N word" and I'm guessing it's a debate over whether the REAL "N word" should be allowed, when it is spoken constantly from black people, in most top selling rap music, etc.

Instead, it's a whining diatribe against a word that kinda sounds like the N word.

Grow up.

This thread could have been answered in one remark: words that sounds like bad words aren't actually bad words.

There.

The word "niggardly" is an english word far removed from the word ******; We can trace the origins of 'niggardly' to the 1300's, and to the word 'ignon', meaning "miser".

But there are people who have found themselves in trouble for using it.

White staff member, David Howard, uttered the word 'niggardly' in a private staff meeting and was forced to resign.

A fourth-grade teacher at Williams Elementary School was fired for teaching her students the word 'niggardly'.

Here we see that the ignorance of a word defining the ridiculousness of political correctness. Isn't it time for people to get over slurs in general, especially when a word is used without intentional harm to someone?
I agree, this is absurd.

Admittedly, I'm not too fussed about using niggardly anyway, but even so.

This thread could have been answered in one remark: words that sounds like bad words aren't actually bad words.

There.
I think that that is the threadstarter's view as well.

while there is nothing wrong with the word niggardly some people DO use it in a provocative way as if they were getting away with using 3/4ths of an unacceptable word.

i think the teacher was right to teach her students that word, how else are they going to know its harmless?

however one shouldnt use its etymology as an excuse to make other people uncomfortable.

What exactly is the hell point of this thread?

I see "the N word" and I'm guessing it's a debate over whether the REAL "N word" should be allowed, when it is spoken constantly from black people, in most top selling rap music, etc.

Instead, it's a whining diatribe against a word that kinda sounds like the N word.

Grow up.

This thread could have been answered in one remark: words that sounds like bad words aren't actually bad words.

There.

Okay then... should "******" be allowed, even? Anyone?

Instead, it's a whining diatribe against a word that kinda sounds like the N word.
The original poster's point is that it's stupid to prohibit a word just because it sounds like a "bad word." Its a response to a "whining diatribe against a word that kinda sounds like the N word."

Read ****** by Randall Kennedy, then, come back and discuss this type of elimination of racist words from US history.

The thread has to do with the stupidity of political correctness.

Okay then... should "******" be allowed, even? Anyone?

By allowed...you mean socially acceptable? Or allowed by law (i.e. you get fined if you use it)?

Because, "bunghole" is hardly socially acceptable. But I'm pretty sure you can say it on TV and not get fined or anything.

Now, "fuck" is both socially inacceptable, AND not allowed by law under some circumstances. You say "fuck" on TV and you WILL get fined.

"******" is to me just like the word "fag". Members of each group can say the word, and no one cares. In fact, it can even be humorous!

But then why can't non-black people say "******" and straight people say "fag"?

The words were originally used as hateful words, until the people it was meant to hurt adopted it and took the sting out of the word, mocking it almost.

Another issue is that words themselves do not communicate feeling. I know some white and black friends who call each other "nigga" and "cracka" back and forth. Obviously there is no harm meant in these words. And that right there is reason enough to throw out any law that purports to make using slurs illegal.

This however, is a far cry from a white cop calling an arrested black man "******".

There is a time and place for words. That, I think, applies to most traditional profanities as well.

Forget that n-word - I hate the other N-word much more: (Nazi)

lol :p

The thread has to do with the stupidity of political correctness.
Ah. In that case you're making a stupid point.

Political correctness is about changing the way we speak. People think in speech patterns, and so if a negative word is used to describe a group of people, then a negative thought is attached to them as well. That's why political correctness is important.

PC is like having laws against sexual harassment. There is no problem with having those laws, in fact some might go so far as to say they are absolutely vital. However there is a problem when the law (and this goes for political correctness too) is applied improperly, in a way which loses the spirit of the law, creates divisions and unnecessary regulations and precautions and, most importantly of all, provides ammunition for those who would seek to remove the system altogether.

Still worse is when simply changing the politically correct term is a method used instead of finding a real solution. Instead of renaming poor countries as "LEDCs" (less economically developed countries), a solution needs to be found to that problem. However changing "crippled" to "handicapped" to "disabled" to "person with a disability" is not a senseless move, its one that helps to prevent negative stereotypes from forming and doesn't simply label people into easy categories. Are you bothered by the fact that you have to think before you know what you can call someone? I think its a good thing. It means you're thinking about it. It means that its not so easy to have a knee jerk reaction. That's why political correctness is not stupid.

See, now I thought that Niggardly came from an Icelandic term. Go figure. I think I've heard about Mr. Howard, and I believe he was given a different position after a public outcry. However, that could have been a different case.
Also, there is also an odd law in some States' criminal codes that provides a defence if an assault is committed after the victim called the perpetrator a ******. That's only a few states, as I recall. A bad law, I think, because it's a pretty sorry excuse, and it's not easy to verify what someone said after the fact.

I think hate crimes laws are federal. Im not positive though

The thread has to do with the stupidity of political correctness.

So does his book. Read it.

I think hate crimes laws are federal. Im not positive though
Sounds more like fighting words, and that isn't a defense.

Damn Political Correctness!!!

So does his book. Read it.
I read the book. There's only a little in it that couldn't be inferred anyways, as far as any sort of argument is concerned, though it does provide some amount of useful factual information. I found especially useless the first few chapters simply recounting events where people said the word ******, or ******-lover etc..... so a couple chapters can be summed up with "white people were mean to black people for a long time."