The “N-word”

[Scautish]

I was wondering if I could get some opinions. And I hope this is not considered a TAAT.

There was a thread the other day discussing poorly behaved children. One poster referred to “the N-Word” where the N to which she was referring was “Naughty”

I reported the comment as I thought it was insensitive and inappropriate to to use “the N-Word” when referring to something other than the horrific, usual word to which this expression refers.

MNHQ did not agree.

I am autistic, so maybe I just read things too literally, but I still think it was hugely insensitive and inappropriate. I would be interested in hearing anyone else’s thoughts.

I’m being brave and not name changing. Please don’t kick me too hard if you disagree, but I just think that we shouldn’t trivialise “the N-Word”.

I see what you mean, but in the context it meant naughty?

I'm also autistic and I also get hung up on stuff so I empathise.

We shouldn’t trivialise the actual N word, but the example you give is fine.

No one is seriously equating naughtiness with the other N word, it’s tounge in cheek.

I agree with you OP. If you were to make a jokey version of the name ‘Hitler’ or word ‘Peadophile’ I’m sure the same people calling you unreasonable would be outraged. But many many propel have died with the ‘N’ being the last thing they ever heard.

Yes I agree with you. I think it's insensitive and trivialising.

No one is saying naughty is similar to the N word, in the context it has been used it’s just to reference a word that can’t be said - clearly naughty was seen as a ‘bad’ word in the context of the discussion.
I don’t think it trivialises the actual N word at all.

I agree with you, OP.

So we can’t refer to the word and we can’t allude to the fact that we can’t refer to the word as a way of illustrating how verboten something else has become?

I think you’re wrong and MNHQ was right.

Nothing in referring to “naughty” as the N-word is a slight on Black people or a way of minimizing the racism they’ve suffered. It’s simply alluding to the the way something else is taboo to show how something else is becoming something that must be avoided. Whether the poster is thinking this is a good thing or a bad thing isn’t an attack on avoidance of the a racial slur, it’s just an acknowledgement that it’s a very strong taboo.

The thing is, in the context of the posts on the thread it made sense to me not to say naughty.

Posted too soon. I don’t even see this as genuinely linked to ‘the N word’ at all, shortening the name in this way is used all the time, another common one - The C word for cancer.

Nothing to give you a kicking for! But I don't agree. It's perfectly normal usage of language to swap an expected word for a less expected one. Its often used for humorous purposes.
There's nothing disrespectful about it.

Thank you - I’m reassured that others agree, but respect that it’s perhaps not as clear cut as it is in my mind.

I didn't see it but surely they were just making the point that it's become a word you're no longer allowed to say just like the other N word.

I totally disagree with you and think people just love to take offense to anything and everything. I'm glad MNHQ don't just take down everything that someone randomly might take offense at, they're already taking down way too many threads to 'check on' IMO as people seem to report anything vaguely interesting.

Saying “N word” to mean naughty seems pretty tasteless and insensitive to me- a sort of “tee hee, you think I mean X but it’s actually Y” which isn’t great when X is something so offensive. I’m with you, OP.

Thank you, you've articulated my feelings about it, but I couldn't quite put them into words.