Posted by OddipusRex on January 14, 2003, at 21:18:07
In reply to Re: anti-Semitic language--, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2003, at 19:53:41
> Expressions like "in a coon's age" or "Chinaman" instead of Chinese. Nigger was once thought acceptable (I've heard that it comes from nigre, the Spanish word for black, but I'm not positive). Even my Mom (who's 80 years old) uses words that I cringe at.
>
Doesn't in a coon's age refer to raccoons? (This reminds me of the controversy over using the word niggardly and the occasional pronouncement that "calling a spade a spade" is a racist expression. ) I agree it's better to not hurt people but I don't think we should all have to walk on eggshells for fear of being accused of bigotry. That just puts even more distance between people.
poster:OddipusRex
thread:8766
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20021128/msgs/8806.html