I am NOT being racist!!! Please believe me?

Question

I swear when I ask this I'm not making any jokes or being racist.

By what does the *N* word actually mean?

Like whats the reason that people freak when they hear it?

I'm just curious because I just don't know.

My friend said it once only because she was reading it and my other friend got pissed at her.

So where did the word actually come from?

REMEMBER!

I'm not being racist so please don't yell at me

Answer 1

Earlier variants (such as neger or negar) derive from the Spanish/Portuguese word *****, meaning "black", and probably also the French nègre, which has also been used pejoratively (but also positively as in Négritude), derived from ***** (the ordinary French word for "black" being noir). Both ***** and noir (and therefore also nègre and ******) ultimately come from nigrum, the accusative form of the Latin word niger (pronounced [ˈniger], like "knee-ger" with the final r being trilled), simply meaning "black".

Read about it and how it is used in different cultures, It does not mean ignorant (well it used to only mean black but th way it was used and abused ignorant now falls under this word) , it is a word that simply means " Black"

Your going to have to type in N**** R into the google search bar as "N****R WIKI" because yahoo has the word blocked so the link does not work.

The word ***** as variant of ****** has been used self-referentially by many in the African American community, often as a pronoun to refer to a black man[42]. With the rise in popularity of rap and hip-hop, the term has become more widely used among some black youth and among some non-blacks as well. This revisionist usage, particularly among non-blacks, has been the source of considerable controversy, especially of rapper Fat Joe.

The "word" itself is not derogatory, we made it that way.

From the actual dictionary:

*******   Audio Help   /ˈnɪgər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[***-er] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

—Usage note The term ****** is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense. Definition 1a, however, is sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way. Definition 3 is not normally considered disparaging—as in “The Irish are the ******* of Europe” from Roddy Doyle's The Commitments—but the other uses are considered contemptuous and hostile.

–noun 1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a. a black person.  

b. a member of any dark-skinned people.  



2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.  

3. a victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; a person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised.

Answer 2

it came from the african country  niger  i didnt used to be a racist word but it changed

Answer 3

I'm going to assume you are young, and no you don't sound racist to me. The word at one time was in the dictionary, it means a low down ignorant person, black or white. Racist whites (not all whites by the way) used the word as a means to communicate their hatred towards blacks. American people were hanged in the name of that word and so now days some blacks have recovered the word and re named the meaning.

Answer 4

Basically means an ignroant person.  The person using it is also ignorant.

Answer 5

it has to due with the civil war and the fact that many slaveowners used the n word to degrade the slaves as being less important or equal to white people

Answer 6

it means ignorant. it was used during slavery days to degrade black people and make them feel subhuman. it is still used today and it is a constant reminder of hatred. only idiots still use that word black people included.

Answer 7

I don't know the origin of the word except that it means black but in a derogatory way. And it has been used in such a way since it was days of slavery. I am black and I personally find it very offensive although everyone does not feel as strongly as I do.  

Answer 8

it goes way way back, it's what they called colored people when they were slaves and couldn't vote, they were considered less than a person. And the whole Rosa Parks deal. So I'd suggest never to use that word

Answer 9

I can give you a website that can give youthe historical  etymology of the word. Take time to read it-itmay enlighten you. http://www.aaregistry.com/african_americ...

Answer 10

mostly it is araciall slur , that only black people can call each other.

however i had heard many years ago that the term had meant " thief" so that any color person could be called that.

but I cant find that anywhere.

Answer 11

It was a word that racist whites used to/still call blacks.  People freak out because it's a racial slur. I can't believe you don't know that.

Answer 12

A colored person.It comes from within.

DNA

Answer 13

its derogatory and its seeded from hate. it was used to degrade blacks and strip them of their self identity. i Hate the word and never say it because of its history.