Quote:
Originally posted by ubertuber
This example illustrates a common misunderstanding - that words have meaning. Words have only the meaning we assign them. It is more correct to say that meaning has words, which is why our language changes. In my experience, people who understand this distinction tend to communicate more effectively because they realize that words are just tools, and tools are at the mercy of the user.
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This isn't exactly true. If I tried to use this word, being white like I am, in the company of a group of black men, then I would get my ass kicked, no matter how I intended to use it. I've heard how blacks throw this word around, and it isn't always intended by the user as a compliment - quite often it's just as nasty as it was in the 70's, but that doesn't matter. The meaning in a word is assigned by the listener, not the user.