Nigger

Not to be confused with Niger or nigga.

Nigger is a racial slur used towards black people. It is often used by racists.[1]

Origin

The word comes from a slang way to say "negro". In Spanish and Portuguese, “negro” means the color black and means black people.[2]

History

Before 1865, most black people in the United States were slaves. In this time, “nigger” often meant a slave. Writers like Joseph Conrad,[3] Mark Twain,[4] and Charles Dickens[5] used this word in their books.

In the 21st century, many black people have “taken back” the word niggеr. They use it as a slang word.[6] Some groups are trying to make using niggеr normal for everyone.[7]

Other slurs

References

  1. ↑ Starkey, Brando Simeo (18 May 2017). "If you truly knew what the N-word meant to our ancestors, you'd NEVER use it". The Undefeated.
  2. ↑ Pilgrim, David (September 2001). "Nigger and Caricatures". Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  3. ↑ "The Nigger of the "Narcissus" by Joseph Conrad". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  4. ↑ Twain, Mark (2004). Life on the Mississippi. Kessinger Publishing. p. 11, 13, 127, 139, 219. ISBN 978-1-4191-3041-0.
  5. ↑ "Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg: Dickens and Racism". www.estherlederberg.com. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  6. ↑ Allan, Keith (2016). "Contextual determinants on the meaning of the N word". SpringerPlus. 5 (1) 1141. doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2813-1. ISSN 2193-1801. PMC 4954799. PMID 27504239.
  7. ↑ McWhorter, John (2016-05-03). "Stop Policing the N-Word". TIME. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
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