Not trying to start a racial conversation?

Question

but i have always wondered how the "N" word originated. I am asking a genuine question so dont bombard me with hate answers, it's just something i've always wondered. No one i have asked has ever had an answer so maybe somebody here can let me know

thanks guys i really wasnt expecting a straight answer out of everyone. i kind of suspected the nigerian answer but not the spanish answer.

I've always thought it is kind of crazy how a word can go from being descriptive to something negative and hateful in our society. just like gay or retard. weird. anyways thanks for answering my question with some mature answers.

Answer 1

I can't say this is 100% historically accurate, but I believe the Slave trade was started by the Portuguese. Negro means black in Spanish, and similar (or the same?) in Portuguese.

The Portuguese didn't go "steal" these ppl from Africa, rather, it was the norm there when warring tribes fought, to the winner went the spoils, so they took as slaves, the men of the losing tribe(s). When they had no more room for enemy slaves, they found they could actually sell their property to these outlanders who just recently came to their shores, the Europeans!

In a nutshell, describing a never before seen "black" man Negro (in spanish it's N + egg + row; where as the americans started prouncing it as; Knee + grow). It doesn't mean whatever ppl think it's supposed to mean, other than describing a persons looks!

The uneducated southerners by the early 1800's was common place to pronouncing it "Niggers", and intoned much hatred with that name... I guess it sounded close to Negro, and in their lack of education it's all they could come up with.

In my humble opinion, there's nothing wrong with Negro, and the people here in Puerto Rico say it all the time, and it doesn't have any other meaning, derogatory or otherwise, and no hatred behind it. Look; we have two friends with the same name... we call one Jose Negro (black Jose') to differentiate between the two... it's got no other meaning than a physical description. Anyone who says the word ******, is just showing their lack of education, and is an embarassment to themselves and their family! As far as the people of the U.S. Mainland; it's time the cry babies just get over it, and grow up! I was appauled when I heard the O.J. trial talk openly about F this and F that... on daytime telivision on court TV, but when it came down to saying ******, they coined the phrase "N word", as if it's so fricken bad, it can't be spoken, else you'll unleash the Kracken!, Please!

You know what is even more sad? After I submitted my answer, I came back and read it; Yahoo Answers blocked out everytime I spelled out the word N i g g e r! I can't believe it! I just had to come back and say, where ever you see the stars, that's what I've written! I wonder if they'll block out my taking the Lords name in Vain; Christ! <<< came back a third time to point out, Yahoo Answers didn't edit my taking the Lord's name in vain... but the did with the other "N word"; freedom of speech, or lack of moral values? You decide, but this country needs a fricken wakeup call!

Answer 2

The word for "black" in Spanish, French and other Latin-based languages is one or another variation on "negro." The word came into English about 1645 and at first was just descriptive, but it didn't take long to become disparaging.

Answer 3

From what I have learned back in high school, the first slaves were brought on a ship from the country known as Nigeria and that is how the word originated. It was just shortened.

Answer 4

Corruption of the word denoting one of the Negroid race, maybe given to them by the Spanish using the word for black. Who knows?