If it is, what is a more politically correct way to say it?
2007-07-12 13:54:16 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I need to know because I'm writing something that I intend to have published and I want to sound professional and not ignorant.
2007-07-12 13:58:31 · update #1
No, "black sheep" does not refer to race nor does it have racial connotations. Black sheep were rare (especially in countries that had white sheep), and the wool was not as usable for dieing or making clothes, hence the term.
2007-07-12 14:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Racist? Not at all. Saying someone is the black sheep of the family doesn't have anything to do with the color of someone's skin. If you want to be more politically correct try saying the "odd one out."
2007-07-12 14:00:23 · answer #2 · answered by Deena 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
From the Thesaurus:
Main Entry: bad egg
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: bad person
Synonyms: black sheep, corrupt person, evildoer, miscreant, reprobate, sorry lot, untrustworthy person, worthless person, wrongdoer, wrong number, wrongo
From the Dictionary
black sheep
–noun 1. a sheep with black fleece.
2. a person who causes shame or embarrassment because of deviation from the accepted standards of his or her group.
It isn't meant to be racist except by ignorant people who think the whole world is against them
2007-07-12 14:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi there well not that I know of it just means that someone in the family is a bad person or has done many bad things in his/her life. not wanting to get help depending in the situation. like a person with a dark shadow over there heads full of bad things. it also depends how the people take it when you say it. just say the BAD SHEEP if it makes you feel better.
be well be safe god bless
2007-07-12 14:00:24 · answer #4 · answered by sugarlove_one 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, its not racist. Black sheep means the odd one of the family. It comes from breeding sheep, most sheep are white and occasionally a black one is bred. It has nothing to do with the african american race.
2007-07-12 13:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by jimthesnowboarder 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Some phrases and words are better left out or substituted if only to avoid a misunderstanding.
The word ********* is a good example. Practically guaranteed to confuse a percentage of the population.
2007-07-12 14:14:55 · answer #6 · answered by Lorenzo H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A "black sheep" is not racist. It refers to someone who is the odd one in a group.
2007-07-12 13:58:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
lol, no silly. i think i might be the black sheep in my family. stubborn as h*ll, and kind of struggling to get myself together lol.
just a context it's given, like little black dress (way sexy!) not racist
2007-07-12 14:17:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This term has nothing to do with racism. it simply refers to a person that has not met the standard of other family members or has done something that has brought the family shame. I am proud to have earned that title with my family
2007-07-12 14:00:31 · answer #9 · answered by Big Daddy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's somebody regarded by the other members of a family or group as not living up to their standards and expectations.
2007-07-12 14:13:48 · answer #10 · answered by roberts1102 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋