Webbo Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 The word"nigger"in the context of "nigger in the wood pile" doesn't mean black person at all. It means a damp piece of wood that won't light easily. It's not racist but it's probably unwise to say such a thing in this day and age as people will take it as racist, especially if you're a Tory.
1964FOX Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 The word"nigger"in the context of "nigger in the wood pile" doesn't mean black person at all. It means a damp piece of wood that won't light easily. It's not racist but it's probably unwise to say such a thing in this day and age as people will take it as racist, especially if you're a Tory. Like a lo of these phrases there are often more than one derivative. One of the more popular ones does relate to smuggling/ hiding of slaves in railway carriages so I would disagree in part but the meaning you suggest is justas valid.
Zingari Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 I was told that "nigger in the woodpile" came from the act of concealing small sticks of explosive material inside logs of wood stored outside, so that thieves who nicked the wood would have a nasty shock when they put it on their fire . (sort of booby trap) Presumably the owner had to be very careful which logs he'd secreted the explosive . Surely a feckin councillor or anyone in public office should know better regardless of the derivation though.
Rincewind Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 dont know about the nitty gritty one. Thought it meant getting deep into somethinh lke work. Like all things though it depends on the context that things are said. You could go up to a mate and say 'How you doing you queer bastard' and they may respond 'OK you tosser' as long as neither objects I dont see much wrong.B ut if you went up to a stranger and said the same things they would be within their rights to feel offended. Nigga is a word in common use among black people in America. Its when its used in a derogatory manner that it becomes racist.
stez Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 Most young people are turned off by the racist, sexist and homophobic sentiments of people like Uzi MC, the Blood Rap Movement and Herman the Tosser... [media=] [/media]...according to former MP Paul Boateng. you have to kill people to have respect for people.
Saxondale Posted 9 June 2012 Author Posted 9 June 2012 you have to kill people to have respect for people. Derrin Zikks: "The whole controversy is preposterous, these killings are obviously ironic" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSnQlBPi82Q "Cock, bitch, cock bitch motherf**ker!" Genius
Voll Blau Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 Uzi like a metal dick in my hand Magazine like a big testicle gland Bitch wanna try it, I said keep her quiet Shove it up her mother****in' ass and fry it
Guest MattP Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 dont know about the nitty gritty one. Thought it meant getting deep into somethinh lke work. It's not confirmed actually, just had a google. The phrase is also agreed to have another, less innocent meaning, although it has long since fallen into disuse. Reports do suggest however that it was a derogatory term for slaves in the early 1900's, or even worse; a euphemistic term for the practice of forcing intercourse on the female slaves under ones 'ownership'. As it has passed into such common usage few have call to know this unpleasant origin; and its use by public officials has occasionally caused some scandal. It is also believed to be a euphemism for the layer of excrement at the bottom of a slave ship after a trans-atlantic crossing. Hence to "get down to the nitty-gritty". According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term is of 20th Century coinage. Surely, therefore, the phrase could not relate to the issues described above because the practice of slavery as described was already historical? I have been led to believe the alleged slavery connection is an urban myth. Has anyone got a definitive source? Dating the phrase is difficult, since the main function of the word seems to have been as a spoken euphemism that would allow, say, white Southerners to make an allusion to "black" issues over the dining table without their children understanding what was being mentioned. The spoken usage may well go back significantly further than the earliest written documentation, since there wouldn't have been an obvious need to write the phrase down (unless perhaps some KKK official felt the need to document its use).
1964FOX Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 It's not confirmed actually, just had a google. I prefer the origin that suggests it is a descriptive of the act of cunnilingus.
The Blur Posted 9 June 2012 Posted 9 June 2012 "I don’t want to be the nigger in the woodpile" Not racist if you say sorry afters. Or shake their hands!
Zingari Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 Well I can't play a xenaphobe or a euphanism. You won't get any symphony on here mate .
Daggers Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 Well I can't play a xenaphobe or a euphanism. Can you pluck yourself?
Reynard Bleu Posted 15 June 2012 Posted 15 June 2012 Can you pluck yourself? Only if I bend over backwards, but I won't harp on about it.
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