Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 11:16:26 -0600

From: Dennis Baron debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UIUC.EDU

Subject: What does the "n" word mean? (was PC dictionaries)



The reporter who interviewed me about the n word for the local TV station is black and said she

was surprised to see all this discussion, since when she was growing up her working definition of

the word was 'an uneducated person' and it had no racial connotation. She was surprised when I

told her it was connected to Negro. I thought this was very interesting. Jesse, and others: is

there any additional confirmation for such a use of the word in the African American community?





Dennis



Dennis Baron, Acting Head italic phone: /italic 217-333-2390



Department of English italic fax: /italic 217-333-4321



University of Illinois italic email: /italic debaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uiuc.edu



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