The N-Word

[sylvar]

Stephen Colbert interviewing Jabari Asim, author of The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why:

Colbert: First question. Did you want to name the book The N-Word and they said, "No, you have to call it The N-Word"? Or, did you say, "I want to name this book The N-Word," and they assumed you meant, you know, The N-Word, when in fact you meant The N-Word?

Asim: I think I suggested calling it The N-Word and they thought it was a good idea to play it safe and call it The N-Word.

Colbert: OK. This raises another interesting subject to me, is that the N-word has become so anonymous [sic] with the N-word, uh, is saying the N-word pretty much like saying the N-word? Because, I would never say the N-word, but I don't want somebody to think I'm saying the N-word by saying the N-word. You know what I mean? Because I would never say that word that begins with the letter after M.

link (via Language Log)

Comments

[mariness.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. I think I'm going to look for this book -- the history of language and words always fascinates me. I didn't realize how old the word was.

When I taught English as a Second Language, the biggest problem words were this one and "ain't" -- largely because my students heard them in popular music, and figured that if people sung the words, they must be acceptable, which led to me needing to explain both words. I had no problem with "ain't," but I was surprised to realize just how hard it was for me to say the other word, since I'd been so indoctrinated that this was one of two words that should never, ever, ever be said -- even when trying to explain to non English speakers why the word is considered so offensive. (The other would be the "c word." And you'll note that I'm stil uncomfortable with typing them out.)

We also had some fun after watching some movie or other and trying to explain just why some people might take hearing the name of a certain New York sports team as a major insult.

[loucheroo.livejournal.com]

yes, I saw this and was actually laughing aloud in the tv room of the car dealership last night!