For an interesting reference read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/******

While the word may upset people, the meanings of words change, and "power to insult" be degraded over time.

In the above article it lists several well known authors ( Agatha Christie) having used the word in the context of her day.

Finally I have found out the meaning and original power of insult with this word.

Long live Wikipedia and the beautiful language.

bit of a diff between joshing about someones accent and asking a black man if you can call him a n________ mate.

gotta love wikipedia.:laugh:

"is a term used to refer to black people. When used by non-blacks, it is considered extremely derogatory." well at least wiki stays true to the point.

"More recently, the term has been used to signify a black person who is a thug"
thats not much of a compliment to a black person either.

That's generally the ***** usage of the word though.

The more people use a word, the more diluted the original derogatory power is left.

It's like homosexuals using previously derogatory words themselves. Classic Simpsons episode featured Homer meeting and getting on with a guy who was gay. You must have seen the episode.

Homer - "You can't use that word, that's the word we use." Or something like that, not a very good quote, but it's close ish.

Some people do tend to use it offhand these days but it should be made aware that of course it's an insult! Spiral isn't making things any better anyway - he's being a bit inconsiderate to say the least!

It doesn't always refer to a negative comment. Meanings of words change. They're organic in that nature.

I've seen the footage and he it was brought up quite well. Allbeit a bit quicker than I'd have bought it up. He didn't use it derogatarilly (?) he asked Jonathon (great laid back guy) what he thought of the use of the word in songs, in general.

You'd be offended by any comment delivered to you in a negative and hurtful fashion.

I have a bad habit of using the phrase "shut up" in conversation and that can go down just as bad as any curse word.

Sid you say he brought the subject up very quickly, i agree with that point.
he also asked michael a dumb question within a very short time of meeting him. I cant help but get the impression spiral is totally tactless and inconsiderate around strangers who are different to the type he normally meets. whether it be black or gay they both get treated the same way.

spiral is the kind of person who will insult some-one else and wonder,'why he so upset?whats the problem?was it something i said?' totally insensitive. 'so your gay are you?whats it like to have a willy up there?'
'so your black are you carrying those lips around must be such a burden!.........what?did that offend you?'

I don't think Spoiral has that many brain cells really.

easypeasy wrote "Sid you say he brought the subject up very quickly, i agree with that point.
he also asked michael a dumb question within a very short time of meeting him. I cant help but get the impression spiral is totally tactless and inconsiderate around strangers who are different to the type he normally meets. whether it be black or gay they both get treated the same way. "

Well..... The way he bought up the subject was pretty well. Much better than I'd have done, but I usually wait for about two years to ask such questions. For that reason, I don't think it was TOTALLY tackless, maybe a risky move, because you really don't know how someone is going to respond, in or out of the house.

Was Spiral the HM that asked the gay housemate if he ever had sex with a woman or what??

Yeah he was. Kind of clears everything up a bit doesn't it Sidrat2006?

I don't think he meant it harshly. He just needs to learn to think before he speaks - hopefully him being in BB will help there! :thumbs:. I didn't hear the conversation myself, so I can't comment on what he said exactly. But if he did use the word I'd imagine he used it just to ask Jonathan what he thought of it. And besides, I like Jonathan - he seems really easygoing and is probably understanding so didn't take offence. I hope anyway. I want to see it now actually...! hehe.

It's sign of stupidty when you can't even say the word in a non-derogatory sense, rather as a means of discussion isn't it?

Smeggypants wrote "It's sign of stupidty when you can't even say the word in a non-derogatory sense, rather as a means of discussion isn't it? "

Very very true, but it also goes to show how much power words have.

Ah the joys of a PC world can't say anything in case it offends.

The PCness has become way out of control, though I would never use N.

i think that people that have to pick at people because of the colour of their skin are a complete and utter nob-ed because they are normal aswell if i ever meet him i will floor him definately

yes but its still a very powerful word with centuries of hatred and exploitation behind it. i honestly think if you have to question whether a word is acceptable or appropriate to use then it most likely isnt.
well its good bb has got us talking about things like this, its such a dodgy subject its rarely brought up anywhere else.

easypeasy wrote "...its such a dodgy subject its rarely brought up anywhere else.."

Because you get comments like this

brighton dude wrote "i think that people that have to pick at people because of the colour of their skin are a complete and utter nob-ed because they are normal aswell if i ever meet him i will floor him definately"

While I agree with the first comment, punching Spiral in this case is over the top, as he wasn't saying to offend.

Then I noticed that easypeasy also wrote "i honestly think if you have to question whether a word is acceptable or appropriate to use then it most likely isnt. "

Words to live by sir!! I wonder if the banner comes out?

***** isn't even used any more becuase the commercial side of the word has realised that its creating controversy. So its used less in music and even in the UK hip hop seen. Actually know one even says it any more, not even light heartedly

easy........i salut you for your last comment.rex.......i think you need to get out more.

well alright maybe i need to go out and buy some more crack then

I've not heard the 'N' word for ages now. In fact, i've not been racially abused for a long time.

I didn't hear Spiral say the word, but I don't like him anyway. He needs to stop talking for a second.

hey InTheHood, have you ever been to Alkmaar? I like that town. and also a place called Hillagom is nice. I used to work in those two areas. got a lot of happy memories of the Neths!
from what i here the racists in holland have turned their attention away from the black people and onto the asian muslim community.

There is no need for non-black people to use the word though! So many white people saying if black people can say it then white people should be able to aswell. It just sounds like a few closet white supremasists.

yeah for a white person to be denied the right to say one word, its hardly the end of the world is it?
Black people have been denied a hell of a lot more thoughout history.
some still are denied the right to a decent life. would Sudan still be in a mess if it was a european, predominently white country?
"george Bush doesnt care about black people" lol

The fact Spiral asked permission to use it means he did not mean it in an offensive way. Johnathon understood this and therefore gave permission for him to use it. What is wrong with that? :rolleyes::bigsmile:

Its like most word

Like "fag" or "paddy",all depends whos using them,whats context there using them in (is it jokingly? is it in a question?) and who there speaking too....words are words,intentions are intentions