Ethnic-based terms of contempt

David Bowie db.list at PMPKN.NET
Fri Feb 27 15:29:20 UTC 2009


From:    Wilson Gray <hwgray at GMAIL.COM>

<snip>

> Back in the '80's, I used to hear "nigger box" and read "ghetto
> blaster" used for "boom box." More recently, there's "reggin (_nigger_
> spelled backward) weed" used for poor-quality mariguana.

Oh.

Wow.

I've heard what i now realize must have been "reggin weed" a few times
from students, but i'd parsed it as "Reagan weed". Made sense to
me--just say no and all that, you know.

The things you learn on this list!

--
David Bowie                               University of Central Florida
     Jeanne's Two Laws of Chocolate: If there is no chocolate in the
     house, there is too little; some must be purchased. If there is
     chocolate in the house, there is too much; it must be consumed.

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org



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