Fwd: origin of word picnic

[Grant Barrett]

One of the rather more offensive folk etymologies needs a bit of
debunking. Would some please respond to this claim in full "actually,
no" mode? Directly to the original sender, if you would.

Début du message réexpédié :

> De: "Greg Maccarone" <gamsky at sbcglobal.net>
> Date: Mon 23 Dec 2002  13:18:43 America/New_York
> Objet: origin of word picnic
>
> My daughter (in 12th grade) discussed the origin of the word "picnic"
> with me. To my surprise, a classmate told her it meant "pic a
> []igger". Supposedly, a group of people would meet to eat, and then
> select a person of African descent to be hung from a tree.
>
> I am shocked that this information is out there without any check for
> accuracy. Please help. What do you recommend? Thanks