General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Thug is the new Nigg**!! [View all]The Green Manalishi
(1,054 posts)The colour of their skin has nothing to do with it. Any problem is in their head.
Please do an OP on Etymology, I'd love to read it. You often post much that makes sense and is good to read. I usually agree with what you write.
However, unless one is an editor of a dictionary or at the least a professor of English at a major university, I have no obligation to follow or respect their strictures on my use of the English language.
That doesn't mean I would throw the word around easily and of course I'm aware that it is a 'code' word amongst the reactionaries, and only an idiot or a Fox "News" listener (wait, I repeat myself)is going to use it the way the right wing currently does. That does not change a thing; I will use it when it describes the person or their actions, period.