I really hate the "n" word ( a racial slur against African American, but I am curious, where did it originate?

Question

Don't jump on me because you think I am a racist, because I am not. I am an English major and it always made me curious as to where things like this came into existence.

Answer 1

I think its from ******* - ******

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/******

Answer 2

The origins of the word stem from the Spanish language were the color black is called *****. The European-Americans twisted the word to the 'n' word to collectively describe African-American slaves.

The term went extremely negative in the 1870s when European Americans realized that they had to shared the American society (built on the blood, sweat, flesh and tears of these African Americans and the newcomer immigrant labor force) as equal citizens. Prior to this, the American society considered African-Americans as a childlike subhuman species of animal which was only 3/5 human and worth nothing more than chattel.

The part of this that I find odd is that if African Americans were not considered human, why did European Americans so readily have sex with them? Today, African Americans do not resemble the African people that they once were apart of. Much of this is due to the treatment of African American women during slavery.

Answer 3

Hi, There are trolls all over this section, and in real-life. Too many mean-spirited people in this world already. Seems like they get their kicks out of trying to get reactions from people by being stupid and mean. Honestly, I don't know why they are here at all. You can report any of them that offend you; I do. I wish that everyone on this old Earth had been born color-blind. Love, Bret

Answer 4

I hate the N word as well but here's one 4 U how come a white person gets in trouble for the N Word but if a Black person calls a white person a name it's okay I say it's Double Standard

Answer 5

********* means to be stingy. But to answer your question the Spanish word ***** originates from the Latin word niger, meaning black. In English, ***** or neger became negar and finally ******, most likely under influence of French nègre (also derived from the Latin niger).

Answer 6

my mother (who is white and mildly racist) says that it comes from the country niger west africa (not nigeria) which is one letter away from the "N" word she may be wrong she may be right all i know is i am half white and half black and i have had a very interesting bringing up with her as a mom (adopted)

Answer 7

type in the word in the wikipedia search box....then you can get the Etymology and history. Wont let you send the link here because of the word. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Answer 8

Black people are known as "******". .. the word black in Spanish. and the "n" word came from there.

Answer 9

yes..*****/negra means black in spanish...i believe it got its roots from somewhere along those lines

Answer 10

That's a shame, I use it all the time. It is a historically rich word and should be celebrated. Slavery is no longer around, nobody alive has experienced it.