Re: Word used more than once

It is like the N word, "Nigger" it has many meanings, depending
on circumstances and who is using it and why?

Me, been called it, but it was respect, cause I am normally
"white" but I can do a mean old school hip hop..

Blacks/African Americans/etc, use it amongst themselves, and the
derivative "Nigga".

While the term it self, has variety of meanings, for some it
means "Stupid, a hick" and can be used for anyone..

While the term it self, seems to come from the Spanish or French
for "Black" with no other meaning, just that the person was
often being enslaved, but not always. It is like the old "Black
African".. See Nigeria and Niger for usages of the term, if I
understand right..

But yes, the term has some very negative meaning if used often
by a non-blacks. To include asians, hispanics and like. But then
you have Latins who are "black" but ethnically hispanic/latin..
Origins non-withstanding..

If it is being used as a derogetory term, it has hate and anger,
and is not a nice word, and degrading. But others it is a term
of almost pride..

Like the term "Wet Back" is degrading, but if you look at the
hard work the persons being called, it. Would it be a word of
pride? After all, if you work hard, you often work up a sweat..
So far not so. But ..

Sorry, crazy Gusiq aka Honky.. find negative terms, are often
words that the one being called it empowers it, if you either
accept the term and take pride in it. Yes, crazy Mic.. Then they
lose their power over you..

Fun how words change meaning over time.

Mike


----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <joe@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 8:52 AM
Subject: Re: Word used more than once


> Carsten Becker wrote:
>
> > From: "Michael Adams" <michael.adams1@...>
> > Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 11:03 PM
> >
> >> Mistress
> >> Gay
> >> Affair
> >
> >
> > All of these are used as euphemisms in the contexts you
> > described, i.e. the original meaning of the words is widened
> > to cover words or ideas that are offensive. E.g. in the case
> > of "gay" and "queer" the original meanings, which were
> > "happy" resp. "odd", have even vanished and both words mean
> > "homosexual" now in their basic meaning (says my
dictionary).
> >
> > Carsten
>
>
> Your dictionary isn't quite right, at least when it comes to
> rightpondian English.  Older people will use 'queer' and 'gay'
for 'odd'
> and 'happy, bright', younger people won't.