Huckleberry Finn and the dreaded N word (8)
It was a sign of the times and they knew no better, I believe. We know better now.
I, personally, have never held with the term and its not in my vocabulary, I find it abhorrent and I'm not even black. But then, it depends on one's environment, social mix and the exposure to a mix of linguistic idioms one has. There are also some regions whereby the indiginous population expect that language and term each other's peers as such. That is their prerogative, I suppose, but I accept if I am not entitled to be as familiar.....
That said, the funniest joke I ever heard, contains that word, sadly. Take it out and the joke is complete rubbish, it simply doesn't work! I guess the joke is never to be relayed again......
I don't think the world will be a less richer place for the loss of ONE joke if it means we maintain respect for our fellow man, all as equals.
It was a bloody FAB joke though....
I, personally, have never held with the term and its not in my vocabulary, I find it abhorrent and I'm not even black. But then, it depends on one's environment, social mix and the exposure to a mix of linguistic idioms one has. There are also some regions whereby the indiginous population expect that language and term each other's peers as such. That is their prerogative, I suppose, but I accept if I am not entitled to be as familiar.....
That said, the funniest joke I ever heard, contains that word, sadly. Take it out and the joke is complete rubbish, it simply doesn't work! I guess the joke is never to be relayed again......
I don't think the world will be a less richer place for the loss of ONE joke if it means we maintain respect for our fellow man, all as equals.
It was a bloody FAB joke though....
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ooby_dooby: "On the one hand, the effrontery—"the vapid, smiley-faced effrontery," as the great Twain biographer, Ron Powers, put it—to replace a word that a genius pointedly used more than 200 times when he wrote the book in 1885 seems a bit like covering the large, gaping wounds shown in Picasso’s Guernica with Band-Aids."http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132759360/huck-finns-inner-conflicts-reflect-our-own?ps=cprs
I read Huck Finn when I was about 10 years old and never even noticed the word ni**ger. I figured it was just the way they talked back in the 19th century south. I was far more interested in floating down the Mississippi River on a raft which has to be the greatest adventure a 10 year old can imagine. Then a few years ago I read it again and was amazed at A, how much of the detail of the book I forgot or didn't understand and B, how freely this word was used.
Isn't it interesting how a word can create such an emotional reaction. Take the word "Gay". My ex mother in law said she loved the word gay as a little girl but hated what it had become.
Words have power and that power is diminished when they are overused. If you read Huck Finn for the first time you will be startled the first time you read the word ni**ger, after a while you wont even notice it.
I read Huck Finn when I was about 10 years old and never even noticed the word ni**ger. I figured it was just the way they talked back in the 19th century south. I was far more interested in floating down the Mississippi River on a raft which has to be the greatest adventure a 10 year old can imagine. Then a few years ago I read it again and was amazed at A, how much of the detail of the book I forgot or didn't understand and B, how freely this word was used.
Isn't it interesting how a word can create such an emotional reaction. Take the word "Gay". My ex mother in law said she loved the word gay as a little girl but hated what it had become.
Words have power and that power is diminished when they are overused. If you read Huck Finn for the first time you will be startled the first time you read the word ni**ger, after a while you wont even notice it.
They are only words T..and the more we try to ban them or say they have become disgusting parts of the language, the more strength we lend them.
I was out with friends last week who incidentally happen to be gay and they said they hated the word pouff..its ok for them to use it amongst themselves but for an outsider to say it, its an insult..seems the same goes for ni**ger.
My kids have loads of friends and amongst the black kids its common to say that to friends as a greeting. So go figure
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Hi Oooby Dooby , Hi O.P
Just jumpin in here as youve mentioned about books and words
As i know you have a good knowledge of music ,,
The words and lyrics od Dylan ,, some say ,even Dylan does ,that he got a lot of exspressions from Guthrie and Jack Elliot ...
I have a book here {Author O Henry} using same word terminology thats before Elliot and Guthrie .... I think around early 1920s
Thought you may like to look him up ..
Just jumpin in here as youve mentioned about books and words
As i know you have a good knowledge of music ,,
The words and lyrics od Dylan ,, some say ,even Dylan does ,that he got a lot of exspressions from Guthrie and Jack Elliot ...
I have a book here {Author O Henry} using same word terminology thats before Elliot and Guthrie .... I think around early 1920s
Thought you may like to look him up ..
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solsticemoon: They are only words T..and the more we try to ban them or say they have become disgusting parts of the language, the more strength we lend them.
I was out with friends last week who incidentally happen to be gay and they said they hated the word pouff..its ok for them to use it amongst themselves but for an outsider to say it, its an insult..seems the same goes for ni**ger.
My kids have loads of friends and amongst the black kids its common to say that to friends as a greeting. So go figure
I was out with friends last week who incidentally happen to be gay and they said they hated the word pouff..its ok for them to use it amongst themselves but for an outsider to say it, its an insult..seems the same goes for ni**ger.
My kids have loads of friends and amongst the black kids its common to say that to friends as a greeting. So go figure
Elvis Costello uses the word White ni**ger in Olivers Army ,,
Meaning anyone oppressed by the men in suites .....
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Your controversial word is still common parlance.
Black folks use it in casual, everyday conversation,among themselves.
Non-Blacks simply use it as a term of derision.
The meaning of ANY word derives from the way it is used and no more.
There is nothing to fear from words.
So,PIDDLE.
There.
PS
"COOL" used to mean a bit chilly.
"BAD" once meant,well,bad.
"CSer" means a bored person with no life.
Black folks use it in casual, everyday conversation,among themselves.
Non-Blacks simply use it as a term of derision.
The meaning of ANY word derives from the way it is used and no more.
There is nothing to fear from words.
So,PIDDLE.
There.
PS
"COOL" used to mean a bit chilly.
"BAD" once meant,well,bad.
"CSer" means a bored person with no life.
------ This thread is Archived ------
wonderworker: Your controversial word is still common parlance.
Black folks use it in casual, everyday conversation,among themselves.
Non-Blacks simply use it as a term of derision.
The meaning of ANY word derives from the way it is used and no more.
There is nothing to fear from words.
So,PIDDLE.
There.
PS
"COOL" used to mean a bit chilly.
"BAD" once meant,well,bad.
"CSer" means a bored person with no life.
Black folks use it in casual, everyday conversation,among themselves.
Non-Blacks simply use it as a term of derision.
The meaning of ANY word derives from the way it is used and no more.
There is nothing to fear from words.
So,PIDDLE.
There.
PS
"COOL" used to mean a bit chilly.
"BAD" once meant,well,bad.
"CSer" means a bored person with no life.
Goodmorning mr woodworker ,,how are you and your good lady ,,
Havnt seen you for a while ...
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jonnt: Hi Oooby Dooby , Hi O.P
Just jumpin in here as youve mentioned about books and words
As i know you have a good knowledge of music ,,
The words and lyrics od Dylan ,, some say ,even Dylan does ,that he got a lot of exspressions from Guthrie and Jack Elliot ...
I have a book here {Author O Henry} using same word terminology thats before Elliot and Guthrie .... I think around early 1920s
Thought you may like to look him up ..
I love O.Henry. I have a big old hard cover book "The complete works of O.Henry published in 1937 I bought at an old bookstore for about 5 bucks. His most famous story is probably "The gift of the Magi" about a very poor couple at Christmas time wanting to buy each other a nice present but they were broke. I don't want to spoil it so I'll say no more. My favorite O.Henry story though is called "The Third Ingrediant" Just jumpin in here as youve mentioned about books and words
As i know you have a good knowledge of music ,,
The words and lyrics od Dylan ,, some say ,even Dylan does ,that he got a lot of exspressions from Guthrie and Jack Elliot ...
I have a book here {Author O Henry} using same word terminology thats before Elliot and Guthrie .... I think around early 1920s
Thought you may like to look him up ..
Trust me, you will love this short story.
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I read Huck Finn when I was about 10 years old and never even noticed the word ni**ger. I figured it was just the way they talked back in the 19th century south. I was far more interested in floating down the Mississippi River on a raft which has to be the greatest adventure a 10 year old can imagine. Then a few years ago I read it again and was amazed at A, how much of the detail of the book I forgot or didn't understand and B, how freely this word was used.
Isn't it interesting how a word can create such an emotional reaction. Take the word "Gay". My ex mother in law said she loved the word gay as a little girl but hated what it had become.
Words have power and that power is diminished when they are overused. If you read Huck Finn for the first time you will be startled the first time you read the word ni**ger, after a while you wont even notice it.