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Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience

MineralMan

(146,286 posts)

16. No, not at all. Niggardly is a very old word, with a distinct meaning.

Reply to Orsino (Reply #14)

Wed Aug 29, 2012, 01:30 PM

Aug 2012

Its use is fine. So is the use of "niggle" and "niggling." Both are also words dating back to the 16th century and have roots in old Scandinavian languages, as does niggardly. Many words came into the English language from Scandinavia, since the Vikings made forays into Great Britain often.

The other word to which you refer has different origins, and is a latinate word based on a root meaning "black." It still means "black" in a number of languages. In English, it gained a new meaning, and an offensive one.

Educated people understand words, and use them appropriately. Niggling complaints about word usage are just that.

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I really hate the "It's MY PERSPECTIVE" shit. [View all] Odin2005 Aug 2012 OP

I'm sorry, but from my perspective I didn't step on your foot, you slipped yours under mine. DetlefK Aug 2012 #1

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions frankie Aug 2012 #10

But reality is the part of imagination we all agree on. DetlefK Aug 2012 #12

I agree..... ericburns4 Aug 2012 #17

It's a lazy argument that requires no knowledge of facts or logic. Chemisse Aug 2012 #2

You said a mouthful... Ron Obvious Aug 2012 #3

PM? Do you mean the pseudoscientific magazine "P.M."? DetlefK Aug 2012 #4

pm Ron Obvious Aug 2012 #8

I have a slightly different problem with it... LeftishBrit Aug 2012 #5

Damn good point about the link to group therapy stuff. trotsky Aug 2012 #6

I hate that bloody question, absolutely hate it! idwiyo Aug 2012 #11

But how, exactly, does it make you feel? mr blur Sep 2012 #22

That reminds me of the I-Statement fetish. Odin2005 Aug 2012 #7

"I feel that he didn't file his report on time, because he was drunk yesterday." DetlefK Aug 2012 #9

It still doesn't change the fact that we're never colonizing space McGee from Muskogee Aug 2012 #13

"Never" is a pretty long time. Silent3 Aug 2012 #15

Choosing to use the word "niggardly" in this day and age is suspect behavior. Orsino Aug 2012 #14

No, not at all. Niggardly is a very old word, with a distinct meaning. MineralMan Aug 2012 #16

Context is all. Orsino Sep 2012 #18

Niggardly has only one meaning. MineralMan Sep 2012 #19

You can't use it because Confusious Sep 2012 #20

What meaning would it have... Orsino Sep 2012 #24

Oh come on... If someone is going out of their way to use it to tweak someone... jberryhill Sep 2012 #25

Niggardly and the word you used are quite different. MineralMan Sep 2012 #28

"Context, audience, etc. are all important in choosing words to use." jberryhill Sep 2012 #29

I don't want to be guilty of the same sort of fallacy in turn... Orsino Sep 2012 #31

My faggot-burning gay aides thank you jberryhill Sep 2012 #32

That is probably the exact reason nobody calls a lie a lie these days Confusious Sep 2012 #21

It's not just 'these days' LeftishBrit Sep 2012 #23

You do not have a right not to be offended. Odin2005 Sep 2012 #27

Nobody is saying that jberryhill Sep 2012 #30

I run across people who say things randr Sep 2012 #26