The name Digger

[Lou0712]

We are getting a black puppy in a couple of months. My son really wants to call him Digger….but some people are saying it sounds like a similar offensive word.
Thoughts??

I think we live in a tedious world with all the joy stripped out of it.

Are you asking if Digger sounds like a racial slur or are you asking if the fact that it sounds like and rhymes with a racial slur matters?

Digger obviously sounds like and rhymes with a slur. I couldn’t say if that’s a problem for you but it would be for me.

I have a friend with a dog called Digger. It has never crossed my mind that it sounds like anything that - or anything else offensive!

It doesn’t sound like a racial slur, but it’s a pretty boring name.

If you got rid of every word that could potentially be misheard as something offensive, there wouldn't be many left. Unless it's an actual slur, feel free to call your pet whatever you like.

Digger is a slang term for an ANZAC

isn't Digger the name of a dog in a children's story book ?

Yes my son got it from a kids tv programme plus he loves tractors, diggers etc.
Didnt cross my mind but a surprising amount of people have mentioned the potential mixup & slur!

I know a pup called Digger, nothing wrong with it

I didn’t make any connection until I read the full post .
What about Digby if you want a slightly different name ?

Digby is the ddog. Digger is a fab name....

I am old, so it always reminds me of a drunken character in Dallas who was sweet on Miss Ellie. But a perfectly fine name for a pet!

Lovely name for your puppy. I know a Digger.

Digger was the suggested replacement for the name of the black lab in The Dambusters movie (due to the name of the actual dog being a racist slur word).

It may well be that he's only a toddler, but you can find other names that'll suit the dog once you've got it.

"Digger Dog: Amazon.co.uk: William Bee, Cecilia Johansson, Cecilia Johansson: 9780857631299: Books" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digger-Dog-William-Bee/dp/0857631292

There's even a book

If you would be happy, or happy for your child to shout out 'Digger' in a multi cultural space, then great. If not, then maybe its best avoided....

@MarshmallowVeronica

its a dog, the child is 4, how exciting does the name need to be???🙄🙄

@Lou0712

unless your DS has speech difficulties, I can't see the problem.

id be more worried that DS knows something you don't!!

The fact that the puppy is also black could not be more irrelevant. Yes, it's fine to call your dog Digger😕

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts on this. It’s just nice to hear a wider group of people’s opinion

I think it's fine.

Digger is rhyming slang.

Would you feel comfortable yelling "Digger!" down the park? I think that's the real test.

I totally agree, and I'm so glad I am heading towards the last part of my life as I can't imagine how much more worse it's going to get.

I'd have thought rabbit 🐇 or some other animal that digs holes, but don't see anything wrong with the name Digger for a dog.
There's a kids cartoon with Duggie.