4 ms·

There's also a long funny history with the use of the word "niggardly" (which means "stingy" and is in no way related to the racial epithet): https://en.m.wiki

• hn_throwaway_99 6y ago
  Still, Aziz Ansari has a hilarious bit about that ("Umm, you could have just said cheap or stingy.") I mean, perhaps it was used in the past in a straightforward manner, but using that word today almost sounds a bit like the equivalent of "Look I'm not saying the N-word but haha it sounds exactly like the N-word so I can get away with it wink wink." It's like the "I'm not touching you!" game that 7 year old siblings play.
  • Udik 6y ago
    Sure, but this is an effect of people getting upset about it. Start from any perfectly neutral expression X, and if people insist enough that it should not be used because it's offensive, then using it becomes a statement- either of indifference for the supposed offense or of active participation in it. The only way to use that expression innocently is to be completely unaware of the controversy around it- otherwise the expression has become tainted whatever your intention in using it.
  • hnick 6y ago
    How far should we push this? I was watching someone (an American because I guess it's relevant) narrate a game on stream and he wouldn't say "niggling" out loud.
    • pseudalopex 6y ago
      YouTube for example demonetizes a video automatically if speech recognition detects slurs or other words advertisers don't like. I've seen people do the same thing for other words on the demonetization list.
      • hnick 6y ago
        Yes I watched many a YouTuber avoid saying the C-words (COVID/Corona) last year over fears it'll be flagged and demonetised.