The N Word.

[MANICHAEAN]

The N Word.

Major Farmery was one of those individuals that possessed,(whether he was aware of it or not), the attribute of "presence." Part of it could have been his physical stature and deportment; over six feet, ram-rod straight, bright blue eyes, short clipped military moustache, herring-bone jacket, shoes that shone like the essence of Satan's soul, and trousers whose sharpness of crease would have done credit to a samurai sword in "Kill Bill."

Then of course there was his voice. Loud, confident, as if addressing a parade assembly of mounted Blues and brooking no equivocation or dissent, "God forbid."

The venue was the 16th century English public house, the "Horse & Groom" in Old Hatfield and the usual cliental were present; either sipping their beer, reading the paper or far away in another world, eyes focused on nothing, thoughts flowing comfortably in their brains encouraged no doubt by the supping of ale.

The low outside door to the street opened, a few individuals looked up, and the large figure of the major, ducking his head entered and stood up straight. A quick reconnaisance of those present, the odd nod of recognition and he strode the short distance up to the bar to review the taps.

"Where is the Black Sheep bitter? he asked the barmaid in a bemused clear cut tone. "It was here two days ago."

"Schhh," she replied nervously, attempting in an act of conspiratorial confidence to reduce any general attention to his enquiry.

" We thought it best to remove it. "

"Why? It's a bloody fine pint."

"Well," she replied uncomfortably, " The name might have offended, political correctness you know."

" No I don't know. How is the word "black" offensive, if that is what you are referring to?"

Two American tourists shifted uncomfortably on their seats in the adjacent alcove and exchanged looks. This was not their take on what they had been assured was the friendly atmosphere of Olde English drinking holes.

The landlord came forward to add, what in his estimation, was an element of reality and conciliation to Major Farmery.

" Major please, you know the situation today. The naming of that beer might be interpreted by some as the "N " word."

"Nonsense" Farmery replied


"You will be telling me next that the word "niggardly" is not acceptable," and looking
down the bar, caught the eye of the English professor from the town's university.

"Toby, help me out here. Is the word "niggardly" acceptable today?"

The request was so forthright, and being addressed in such a small pub, and of such a nature, that evasion was not an option. Not that the Prof was of a mind to be nothing but forthcoming anyway.

"Etymologically Major, there is no relationship between the words " niggardly" and "nigger," although there are phonetic similarities."

"Exactly Toby, thank you for the reassurance. All this "n" word, "f" word tommy rot has gone too far. Oblique reference terms have replaced perfectly good words in the English language. Before you know it, they will be banning " Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet," as sexist. What is a "tuffet" by the way Toby?"

Toby blinked behind rimless glasses and rose effortlessly to the occasion.

"The nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet was said to be about Mary Queen of Scots who was frightened by the religious reformer John Knox; but to answer your specific point, the word "tuffet" was first found in a book about plants published in 1578. If I remember correctly it was something about " ye floures grow in a spiky bushe or tuffet." Thus Miss Muffet, to all extents and purposes sat on a kind of bush."

"Fascinating," exclaimed the major and looked around the room for general consent.

By now the landlord and barmaid were becoming apprehensive as to where this was going and how it would affect the regular customers.

The American tourist stopped eating his Ploughmans and said to his wife, " Did you know that dear about little Miss Muffet?"

"No," she replied softly and approvingly, "These limeys have such history and such characters. We must come here again."

The major having won what he considered a strategic victory, (but no pint of Black Sheep real ale,) smiled graciously at his host.

" If we are to ban words in the English language based upon appearance and not intention, where do we stand for instance with "banker" and "estate agent?"

"Oh no," groaned the manager inwardly, " It's going to be one of those days."

The American with his wife's full blessing approached the bar for a refill. It was turning out to be quite an interesting day.

[AuntShecky]

An interesting take on political correctness, in some ways brave. (I want to say "ballsy," but that word is probably inappropriate for a family site. BTW, the use of the word "inappropriate" has been appropriated a hundredfold in the last generation or so.)

Even so, MANICHAEAN, I think I'm aligning myself on the side which wants to retire "niggardly." True, the meaning has absolutely nothing to do with any ethnic group; however, when the word is uttered verbally -- on static-filled airwaves for instance, it is very easy misheard as the word we all really should avoid. Thanks to the vast storehouse of vocabulary in the English language, there are scores of alternatives to use in place of the offensive-sounding one: "stingy," "meager,"
"insufficient," "mean," "tight-fisted" etc.

As for "black sheep," most people who are familiar with English idioms (as well as the Bible) know that the phrase refers to a parable of the "black sheep of the family," a little lost lamb going astray, perhaps, temporarily. Ban that phrase and you might as well jettison phrases such as "black list," "blackball," "in the black" (as opposed to "in the red"), Black Friday, black cats, black widow spider, little black dress, Orange is the New Black, and all other references to the lack of light or absence of color. Few companies are as family-friendly as the Crayola company, which was enlightened enough to change the name of its formerly "flesh" colored crayon, but I don't expect to see them evict the black crayon anytime soon.

Incorrect spelling doesn't offend me (usually), since sometimes I'm the worst offender, but you might want to check "clientele."

Incidentally, I looked up "supping," which I thought meant eating, dining, having supper. I was surprised to learn that "supping" can also refer to consuming liquids through little sips. Evidentally, your patrons at your pub don't knock 'em back but daintily nurse them.

PS-- As far as I know, the potent potables known as "Black Label," "Johnny Walker Black,"
etc. are still available.


{EDIT--May 31, 2014. Re: "Black Sheep" Just saw a TV program on American slang. As an idiom "Black sheep" comes from the age-old procedure for coloring wool, hence the related expression "dyed in the wool." White fleece took to dyes much more readily than darker color fleece, and that's how we got the phrase "black sheep." Don't know about the nursery rhyme--"Baa Baa Black Sheep," but I'll keep you posted.

[Lokasenna]

Funnily enough, this very thing cropped up in a conversation for me today.

I don't agree with Aunty, I'm afraid - 'niggardly' is in no way etymologically related to 'nigger', so how on earth can it be offensive, even if someone innocently mishears it? Should we also abolish the verb 'to snigger' on similar grounds?

A crusty old dinosaur I might be, but I'm with the Major (and with Toby for that matter) on this one.

[AuntShecky]

I don't agree with Aunty, I'm afraid - 'niggardly' is in no way etymologically related to 'nigger', so how on earth can it be offensive, even if someone innocently mishears it? Should we also abolish the verb 'to snigger' on similar grounds?


Yeah, but you can't assume someone won't mishear it or take it the wrong way. Even if you mean the actual definition of "niggardly," you have to do some explaining or audiences might think you're being deliberately provocative or "baiting" people by showing off your erudition. Why tempt controversy-- who needs that?

If you use the term, you have to preface it with a definition. Why go through all that trouble, especially if your soundbite has a definite time limit? It's just as easy to use a synonym.

I don't like the term "gallows humor," but if you say "Black humor" it's ambiguous. You have say if you mean the post-modern ironic kind or the type of humor used by Chris Rock, the late great Richard Pryor, etc.

With the immortaility of the Internet, these days you have to be absolutely careful and abundantly clear!

[kev67]

The N-word has been in the news here recently. Someone leaked an outtake of Jeremy Clarkson mumbling the word. Jeremy Clarkson is the primary presenter of Top Gear, a show about cars, and one of the BBC's main exports. He's a bit of a reactionary, although I enjoy the programme. Then a disk-jockey of a local radio station was asked to resign because he unwittingly played a version of The Sun Has Got His Hat On that included the N-word in the second verse. It's all been discussed on the television and radio. I'm amused because the temptation to actually say the word must be enormous, but if they do, that's their broadcast career over. The BBC did broadcast The Wire a few years ago, in which the word was used continuously, but exclusively by African-Americans when referring to other African-Americans.

[DATo]

MANICHAEAN, I'm sure you must share my surprise that of this otherwise erudite collection of notable critics not one has made mention of the most significant line in the story ... "No," she replied softly and approvingly, "These limeys have such history and such characters. We must come here again.".

Well now, the Yanks, being Yanks, were too crass to understand that "Limey" was a pejorative slur, but it was suggestive that neither the Major, nor any of the other English patrons were offended by the remark. You have stated your case beautifully QED.

[MANICHAEAN]

Dear All

Thank you for your comments. If I might respond as follows:

Auntie, you have a wicked turn of phrase that borders delicately between being tongue in cheek and the very fringes of political correctness. I wrote this piece in the capacity of self- appointed front line writer/spy/observer, after a visit to my local last weekend in which I was a witness to the “Black Sheep Incident.” Of course, I have indulged in an element of embellishment regards the characters, but then you must grant some latitude to my creative juices, (especially as, at the time I was both supping and quaffing real British ale.) But leaving that to one side, there is a more comprehensive concern here, perhaps inadequately concealed in the story, and that is the growing reduction of the English language to the lowest common denominator.

For example,(leaving aside religious affiliations), I have a distaste, one might also say an abhorrence, to the way the beauty of the words in the King James Bible have been updated and modernised, apparently in an attempt to make them more understandable to a wider audience. It’s akin to changing Macbeth or Milton. The process should be to teach the magnificence of original English script, not dumb it down.

Political correctness is another process that to my mind has likewise gone too far. It is the intention behind the words and the way that they are expressed that is the essence of the English language. We are quite adroit in the UK at using the word “bastard” both as an insult and as a compliment. Lenny Bruce in his own unique way also had a disturbingly direct way of introducing this in his night club act when he used to ask his ethnically mixed audience directly, “How many niggers, spics, dagos, kites, micks do we have in here tonight?” After he had shocked them, he then proceeded to deconstruct the intention, the significance and the mode of receiving these words.

Lokasenna. Not that I am looking for approval, but my sentiments echo your own. I appreciate your input.

Kev67. The Clarkson and DJ affairs were both examples of the BBC going too far to appease what they regard as a reaction on the part of sections of British society. Clarkson did apologise, (which must have been very difficult considering the independent minded persona he is), but the sacking/pushing out of the DJ for what I consider an unintentional lapse was over the top.

DATo. Well spotted, however we “limeys” are a thick skinned lot and would not really have been insulted by the term. My old boss on the other hand back in Papua New Guinea, was from South Carolina and made it quite clear when I met him that he was never to be called a “Yank.” Invariably therefore after that I used to introduce him to friends as “A Southern Boy.”

[mal4mac]

'Niggardly' is used far more often in the UK than the N word, at least in everyday circumstances and on the radio, so we're unlikely to mistake it for the N word. It's also a word that an average BBC commentator would use, so it's hardly showing off one's erudition.

Clarkson should be fired. He used the N word in a manner that was meant to be mischievously offensive, and he knew he was doing it (that's why he mumbled it.) He's been similarly offensive in the past, and had enough warnings, let him go off and sell used cars, I'm sure he'd be good at that.

Here's a writer of colour on the situation:

http://www.newstatesman.com/media/2014/05/n-word-jeremy-clarkson-has-finally-urinated-live-rail-racism

[AuntShecky]

I agree with you, MAN, (along with Dwight MacDonald) on the dumbing down of the King James Bible. I'm sure you've heard the comment that the King James Bible was just about the only worthwhile project in Western civilization ever performed by a committee.

The news story about the fired DJ actually made it to our shores, in which a columnist blasted the radio station's action as hypocritical because the sister TV station did not similarly censor the same word when it ran (and re-ran) Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction movie. I've made a mental note to look up the year in which the song w/ the offensive term was recorded. Does historical setting make a difference? Perhaps -- it really depends on the context and the specific character(s) using the word, and the intention. BTW, a few years ago we NitLetters heatedly discussed whether Joseph Conrad was a racist (in Heart of Darkness, not specifically the title of another of his books-- The N----- of the Narcissus.) Another novel never mentioned is Carl Van Vechten's N----- Heaven (1926.) It's probably out of print now, but at the time of publication the book was praised for its truthful depiction of the suffering of the inhabitants of Harlem, while being noted at the time for the fact that the author was. . .white. This would never fly today--most people would prefer to speak for themselves.

In 2014, however, I'm standing by my initial opinion that I would make a sincere effort to avoid using power-keg terms which seldom fail to offend sincere sensitivities. I'm talking about various stereotypes and slurs designed only to diminish and insult, even if that includes avoiding words that "sound" offensive, even though the meaning is neutral. I don't mean going overboard with political correctness (as in the Black Sheep ban), which in its patronizing and condescension is just as offensive.


Bottom line -- if you can possibly help it, don't gratuitously hurt people. Cf. The opening line to Sonnet 94.

[RMDuChene]

I liked the writing and the story. Thank you for posting it.

[108 fountains]

MANICHAEAN,
Your story was both daring and entertaining. Political correctness and the use of certain words is a complex and emotionally charged set of issues. I tend to take the logical view that words in and of themselves are neutral and it is the intent or the tone of usage that determines their offensiveness.

A few years ago, a black Kentucky state representative successfully introduced a state resolution to change the word “darky” to “people” in the state song lyrics of “My Old Kentucky Home.” I’m not sure if he realized that the song lyrics, written by Steven Foster in the 1850s, actually foretold of the abolition of slavery and that by changing those words, the entire anti-slavery implications of the lyrics were lost.

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the darky may go;
A few more days, and the trouble all will end,
In the field where the sugar-canes grow;

Similarly, there have been efforts to ban or to edit words out of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” both of which express powerful anti-slavery sentiments. In its time, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was instrumental in galvanizing the anti-slavery movement in the United States. It seems absurd to me to ban such books because they contain the N-word or to edit the word out.

And yet, I can also understand the deep emotions that the N-word and certain other words provoke. This is especially true, I think, in the United States in the current political atmosphere of conservative backlash and given that U.S. history is in large part the history of its race relations. There are few things in this word that are truly evil – slavery is one of them. One hundred and fifty years since its abolition, we in the United States are still living through the aftermath of that great evil. At some point, I hope, we will evolve past bigotry and intolerance to mutual respect and acceptance and be able to look back at our history with less emotion, but we’re not there yet.

[MANICHAEAN]

Dear 108 Fountains

Thank you for the points you made. I agree with them.

History,(by definition) must assume a significant amount of responsibility for some of these current day hang ups, although religion invariably is the one having fingers pointed at it. In the UK our history on race relations is very much defined by the saga of the colonial empire. Stateside on this particular topic its more so by the Civil War.

It's unfortunate that such a large proportion of the population either side of the Atlantic know so very little about the history of the other. Perhaps in our case it is because we normally limit our schooling to British or European history and that in itself is a lifetimes meal if undertaken properly.

I was drawn into an interest in US history at university, due mainly to undertaking a course on the opening up of the American frontier. New vista's subsequently evolved on: The Civil War, America's industrial growth, the Great Depression and the Vietnam experience. Each in it's turn has been invaluable in understanding the American authors influenced by such events.

Best regards
M.

[Steven Hunley]

I take position with Lokasenna, The Major, (and Toby) on this one. You shouldn't ban a word simply because it has a similar sound to an offensive one. Words seem so rock-like and substantial but are so weak they can go in and out of fashion. If history bans it, then so be it. Like Napoleon, words sometimes return from Literary Elba. Was that where they put him?

Patriotic Frenchmen respond and help tune me in.

I agree with RMDuChene too, good story well written, always a pleasure to read.

[Lokasenna]

Yeah, but you can't assume someone won't mishear it or take it the wrong way. Even if you mean the actual definition of "niggardly," you have to do some explaining or audiences might think you're being deliberately provocative or "baiting" people by showing off your erudition. Why tempt controversy-- who needs that?

If you use the term, you have to preface it with a definition. Why go through all that trouble, especially if your soundbite has a definite time limit? It's just as easy to use a synonym.

I don't like the term "gallows humor," but if you say "Black humor" it's ambiguous. You have say if you mean the post-modern ironic kind or the type of humor used by Chris Rock, the late great Richard Pryor, etc.

With the immortaility of the Internet, these days you have to be absolutely careful and abundantly clear!

But surely we should not pander to people's ignorance? It's not baiting them to use words such as niggardly - if they misinterpret it, that's a failing on their part.

Would you, for instance, argue that if a woman is wearing revealing clothing then she is inviting rape? The logic of your argument, I'm afraid to say, is much the same. If I use a word that just happens to sound a bit like a horrible insult, but is in fact entirely unrelated to it, then the fault lies with me and not with the person who misinterprets the 'signals' I am giving off?

I've always been unhapppy with the censoring of words, in any case. I don't think linguisitic taboos are healthy, and their supression is always more than a little reminiscent of Orwellian thought-crime. Words, in and of themselves, have no ability to hurt or affect us - it is only if the intention behind them is to cause offence or outrage that they have any power. I don't use the N-word because it is hard to think of a non-offensive context for it - although not all that long ago I did have an evening of stimulating chat with my housemates, two of whom are non-Caucasian, about offensive words in which the N-word came up. It was an academic debate, and I think all of us used the word freely and without issue in that context.

...and for the record, I don't feel the slightest bit offended at being termed a 'limey' - or indeed a 'taff', which is more common for Welsh people.