Would one get in trouble for saying the word ‘niggardly’?

[HippieVeganJewslim]

No, ‘niggardly’ means nothing similar to you-know-which six-letter n-word. Their etymologies are totally different. It just means stingy, miserly, Scrooge-like. I’ve seen ‘niggardly’ in peaceful books.

[SaoirseS]

It's caused some controversy in the past, so I'd say yes it's possible for one to get into trouble over it. Despite having a different etymology, it's a word that is not only antiquated, it is one that is highly likely to be misunderstood. Since the idea of communication is NOT to be misunderstood, it's a word one is advised to avoid using. Why use a big word when a smaller word will do? Use stingy instead. It's shorter, and well understood. Those who insist on using the word "niggardly" are usually using it to elicit a reaction or an argument.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I’m allergic to wasps. Stingy just sounds weird. As a poet and a nerd, big words can be ideal.

[SaoirseS]

Shorter the better in most cases. Ever heard the tongue-in-cheek saying "never use a big word when a diminutive one will do"? In any case, using the word "niggardly" tends to stir things up, and cause a ruckus that can easily be avoided by not using it.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Shorter the better doesn’t flow with myself always. Many people would prefer to be called by their full name instead of a diminutive. I’d rather be called Abdullah than Abbie. Sounds more formal and professional.

[SaoirseS]

Here are some shit storms using the word has caused in the past. It's best to avoid using it, if for no other reasons, because it's frequently misunderstood and it's archaic.
en.wikipedia.org/.../Controversies_about_the_word_niggardly

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Definitely not archaic (archaic means not in use anymore) but can be dated (unfashionable), but my dictionary says not. I have read that page, already, thanks.

[SaoirseS]

Whatever the dictionary says and what reality is aren't always the same, and shortening of proper names isn't the same as choosing a shorter (and clearer) adjective or adverb. If you're trying to make a case for using the word "niggardly," you're not making a convincing one. Bottom line is it's best to avoid using it, no matter its etymology and no matter the cases (like in court decisions) where it's been used before. I had a situation about two years ago where the family used the word "niggardly" to describe the deceased in an obituary; despite their objection, I changed it to "miserly" for publication on our website. I told them they could submit it as originally written to the newspaper since they were paying for it, and they did, but the paper's copyeditors changed it as well. I have neither the time nor inclination to fight a battle over it, whether it's proper or not. It's the same as using the word "Negro" to refer to a black person. It may have once been commonly used and it may be technically "proper" today, but I know of no black person who wouldn't find being called or referred to as a "Negro" offensive.

[Brokenheartedx]

Never heard of the word but have heard of the word niggling, meaning annoying pain.. Sad we have to change how we talk not to offend others, when we were younger the common saying to a kid thay got dirty was boggin black... Or yer knees or all black you'd be feart to say that now in case it offends.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

The word niggling is new to me, thank You! I’ve watched an episode of Orange Is the New Black, how an inmate used the word ‘trigger’ and some fellow inmate misheard it as en aye gee gee ee are, almost starting a fight.

[ArtemisSilver]

Reminds me of the twitch streamer who's game username was Nasser, and to "fix" it the profanity filter changed it to Ni***er because it had ass in the name.

A well intended but unfortunate failure.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Don’t they know that ass means donkey and arse means buttocks?

[TadCurious]

A lot of people with a limited vocabulary would probably take offense to that word. But that shouldn't keep someone from using that word because it's not related in any way to the derogatory word.

[TadCurious]

Thanks for MHO.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

No problem! 😊

[Roxxy99]

It probably would be interpreted the wrong way today because of its similarity to a racial slur but that is an actual word in the English vocabulary. I think I’d just say stingy and move on.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I’m allergic to wasps. No way I’d use the s word!

[NatalieKeller95]

I actually knew someone with the last name n*ggar, he was Irish, he had to change it to Nengar though

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Poor fellow. Hope it didn’t cause Him too much trouble!

[TotallyAlmost]

I've actually heard of people losing their jobs over it. So sad that a bunch of illiterate, angry losers can persecute others over their own ignorance.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Agreed. Quite sad.

[LiamJHayden]

The etymology does not matter. You could still get doxed by ignorant people for using the term.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Same can happened with hallucinating people. They might think I said something bad, when I said nothing. I myself often hear voices in my mad head.

[jshm2]

No more than you would for saying you "love to masticate and often, even with kids around!" What you understand is not what is being said.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Love to chew WHAT? Masticate is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

I can't say that I have Mixed race in my family that I love

[LindsayR07]

If you have to ask, you know the answer

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I once used the word ‘shizit’ in school. A pupil heard me and did tell, and a teacher told me politely not to say it. Shizit means the same as shit, according to Urban Dictionary.

[LindsayR07]

I've never heard that one

[HippieVeganJewslim]

It’s from the film Dickie Roberts, Child Star.

[LindsayR07]

Ah, guess I never saw it

[HippieVeganJewslim]

You can look it up on levidia or similar sites.

[KostasKouvalis]

No, it's the same

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Actually it has different etymologies. Look it up, both of them.

[KostasKouvalis]

No, I meant the definition

[HippieVeganJewslim]

One means miserly and the other means Black/African person. Two different words. Two different definitions.

[KostasKouvalis]

I'm saying that "stingy, miserly, Scrooge-like", describe black people

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Bra, if Y’all believe that stereotype, then Y’all must’ve smoked more grass than the average Jamaican.