Niggling ain't racist.

[ImpulsE69]

I'm fear I'm becoming too politically correct. I was typing up a benign response in another thread and went to use the word "niggling" and had to stop myself when it suddenly occurred to me to question whether what I was about to type would be considered a racist remark. I knew the meaning, but did not know where it was derived from. Was there a racist undertone/background to this word? Was there a slang spin that I wasn't aware of? Having never taken up spelling bees, I had no idea what the origin of this word might be. It seemed that given the meaning of the word and its spelling that it might have some connection.

A quick google search cleared my conscience when I was shown that indeed this word did not have any history or connection to that other word. Crisis averted.

/blog

I am guessing there are other words out there that are not what they may seem (to some).

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You should read more.

 

[ImpulsE69]

That is probably true. Everyone should.

 

[BoomerD]

Don't be a niggard with your time. Do your research.

 

[justoh]

words cannot be racist. don't be ridiculous

 

[_Rick_]

The word "racist" is literally racist.

 

[bradley]

Anyone has a problem with the word niggardly or niggling is likely illiterate, especially those who liberally/openly label others/things as racist while misusing the term without understanding the actual meaning. How's that for political correctness?

 

[Iron Woode]

Anyone has a problem with the word niggardly or niggling is likely illiterate, especially those who liberally/openly label others/things as racist while misusing the term without understanding the actual meaning. How's that for political correctness?

I seem to recall a number of ridiculous incidents using that word.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_"niggardly"

 

[bradley]

The Economist later pointed out with amusement that it received a letter from a reader in Boston who thought the word "niggardly" was inappropriate. "Why do we get such letters only from America?" the British magazine commented. lol

 

[Jeff7]

I am guessing there are other words out there that are not what they may seem (to some).

I can't say that I'm finding this thread to be all that titillating.


Oh well. Anyone want to go to Fuddruckers?

 

[BUTCH1]

In B4 the lock.

 

[lxskllr]

Oh well. Anyone want to go to Fuddruckers?

You better appreciate that picture. I forgot I had safe search off D^:

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Got banned from a game server for saying niggardly because it's implied racism, which when I used it, it wasn't.

 

[BUTCH1]

Got banned from a game server for saying niggardly because it's implied racism, which when I used it, it wasn't.

They were probably just looking for a reason..

 

[ImpulsE69]

I was more amused at the fact I had to actually stop and think about offending someone unintentionally, because...internet. I'm getting old.

 

[ImpulsE69]

You better appreciate that picture. I forgot I had safe search off D^:

Dammit, thanks for making this thread NSWFH.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

They were probably just looking for a reason..

Nope, when we play songs, it has to have racist words bleeped or censored, but curse words are okay.

Meh.