Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilda
I wasn't aware of that. I'm assuming this is intended as an insult of some kind? In either case it doesn't change the fact that this is a reference to an ancient Greek idiom meaning to speak plainly, to use simple and direct language.
If my assumption that this usage is derogatory is correct, it makes very little sense to interpret the phrase this way because the phrase is a warning against substituting symbolic language for plain and direct language. It doesn't work if you're using symbolic language instead of common language.
|
This was exactly my point when I brought it up.
You didn't realize that a "spade" is derogatory because it's such an innocent word. "Niggardly" is an innocent word. You use the term "call a spade a spade" and someone gets offended 'cause they don't know or understand the idiom and, thus, interpret the phrase as meaning something different. The aide uses the word "niggardly" and someone gets offended 'cause they don't know the word and interpet it to mean something different. You explain what the idiom means and that it has nothing to do with black people. He explains what the word means and that it has nothing to do with black people. People stay angry at you because they can't be wrong and you must be a racist. People stay angry at the aide because the word has just got to be racist, no matter the etymology...
Quote:
Why would someone assume a more complex and derogatory message rather than the simple, obvious one?
|
Because the simple, obvious one wasn't so obvious while they were inflamed by the derogatory slur used in the phrase.
Seriously, does it make sense for a politician to use the word "nigger" in public? Obviously, the word "niggard," with a D at the end, must mean something else. However, people don't think rationally while they're offended which is why I claimed that political correctness has run amok...