How can a word, depending on who says it, be at once a term of endearment and another timea hate crime.?

Answer 1

It depends less on who says it than on how it is said, and how it is taken. It's really a ridiculous standard, but that's how we (humans) are.

Answer 2

I assume you're talking about the infamous "n" word as used in the United States of America.

Words have power and a historical context. Historically, the work "n*****' has been used as a derogatory term, a way to paint blacks as inferior and sub human.

In the last few decades, blacks have been "reclaiming" the word. In practice, this means that they've been using the word as a term of endearment instead of an insult.

It's all about the intent behind the word, and while 'n*****' is the most politically loaded example in North America, there are plenty of other examples.

For a much less loaded example, you can look to the terms "nerd" and "geek." In the 1950's both terms were crushing insults, implying that the person so labeled was weak, emasculated and pathetic. To this day, if a "jock" uses the term to describe someone who has a higher GPA than he does, it's still intended that way.

On the flip side, the "Geek Community" proudly used the term as a social signifier, a way of describing their clique in a self aggrandizing way. You even see "Geek Pride" pins and clothing.

It's all in the intention, or the perceived intention, behind the phrase. If you mean the word as a term of endearment, then there's likely a way you can deliver it so that it will be perceived as such. If you mean it as an insult, then you can deliver it that way as well.

To get briefly back to the term "Geek" a "Jock" could easily use the term as part of thanking someone who helped them study for a difficult exam. "I'm damn glad I'm friends with a Math Geek, I couldn't have passed without your help," is a completely different context.

Answer 3

It depends on the relationship between the person who utters a word and the person the word is addressed.The context in which it is used, and the tone employed by the user, also determine whether the word is to be takin in its literal sense or as a term of endearment.
For example, the word '*****' is sometimes used by a husband to refer to his wife. If they are in a fighting mood, that word means something totally different as compared to when the couple is in a romantic mood.
There could be many such examples, and a simple reading of the word without knowing the context and the people involved could be misleading!

Answer 4

Intent, tone of voice, your relationship with the speaker, and the message the person is trying to convey helps determine whether a word is a term of endearment or if a person is trying to be hurtful.

Ex) The use of the word girl.

If one of your friends called you girl, you wouldnt have a problem with it. In this case, the term girl is used affectionately. If your boss said, "Girl, go get my coffee." in a commanding manner,then you'd have a problem. In this case the word girl is to let you know that he feels you are inferior to him.

Answer 5

well, I'm not supposed to say that word, is that the one you are looking for?