The term thug

[Sousuke 1,214]

I noticed after Obama used the term 'thug' there has been a debate about the notion that thug = n*word. I think this probably started back during the Zimmerman case.

I find it curious how a hindi word could have been appropriated as such in just a few years.

[Ban Hammer 12,829]

apparently some need a dictionary instead of a free phone.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I don't associate the word thug with blacks. A thug is a thug, someone who is a two bit criminal, likes to act like a jack off tough guy, intimidate people, rob them, assault them, etc, etc. There are plenty of white thugs too.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I noticed after Obama used the term 'thug' there has been a debate about the notion that thug = n*word. I think this probably started back during the Zimmerman case.

I find it curious how a hindi word could have been appropriated as such in just a few years.

CNN has an article about this right now:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/us/baltimore-riots-thug-n-word/index.html

The word became more popular when Tupac used it to describe someone who goes through struggles. After this it became the symbol for a hustler or someone in the streets.

BTW, Normandy, born and raised:)

[decocker 7,198]

anytime someone uses a term to dehumanize another human being, especially when the conversation is concerning basic human rights, they are in the wrong. end of story.

obama has been showing how willing he is to placate the right, that's why he used the term. "LOOK GUYS I CAN BE AS DIVISIVE AS YOU!"

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its not a difficult concept really. Languages evolve organically, that's why we have so many English dialects. If you speak a different dialect common words mean different things.

Cracker is offensive to Americans, but for Brits it conjures up images of a cheeseboard.

Edited April 29, 2015 by Venkman

[Póg mo 1,749]

I noticed after Obama used the term 'thug' there has been a debate about the notion that thug = n*word. I think this probably started back during the Zimmerman case.

I find it curious how a hindi word could have been appropriated as such in just a few years.

The word thug has been used in British English since the 19th century. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/thug

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The word thug has been used in British English since the 19th century. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/thug

The point being that it now has a different meaning for black youth. Whether or not anyone agrees with that, it's how linguistics works.

[GandD 5,966]

CNN has an article about this right now:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/29/us/baltimore-riots-thug-n-word/index.html

The word became more popular when Tupac used it to describe someone who goes through struggles. After this it became the symbol for a hustler or someone in the streets.

BTW, Normandy, born and raised:)

I thought it became popular as a term to use describe gangster's back in the day. That's was the way I heard it used until "thug life" took over the word.

The point being that it now has a different meaning for black youth. Whether or not anyone agrees with that, it's how linguistics works.

I'm going to start taking words and making them mine.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

anytime someone uses a term to dehumanize another human being, especially when the conversation is concerning basic human rights, they are in the wrong. end of story.

obama has been showing how willing he is to placate the right, that's why he used the term. "LOOK GUYS I CAN BE AS DIVISIVE AS YOU!"

Yeah, I was a bit upset that he used it.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I thought it became popular as a term to use describe gangster's back in the day. That's was the way I heard it used until "thug life" took over the word.

I'm going to start taking words and making them mine.

Just as long as you leave Porch Monkey alone, you should be good...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I thought it became popular as a term to use describe gangster's back in the day. That's was the way I heard it used until "thug life" took over the word.

I'm going to start taking words and making them mine.

I don't think it's a one man job.

[GandD 5,966]

I don't think it's a one man job.

This is why words are dumb. It doesn't matter so much what someone says. More, what they mean, yanno? Southern's have the most polite way of being insulting. But its still an insult.

Just as long as you leave Porch Monkey alone, you should be good...

He's taking it back man.

[decocker 7,198]

carl stokes got it right..

http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2015/04/baltimore_councilman_to_cnn_host_just_call_them_ni_ers.html

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

carl stokes got it right..

http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2015/04/baltimore_councilman_to_cnn_host_just_call_them_ni_ers.html

You beat me to this. Was about to post this story...