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

608 S. Wright Street      http://www.english.uiuc.edu/baron

Urbana, IL 61801