nigger

• n. 黑鬼（蔑称）；社会地位低下的人

词态变化

助记提示

中文词源

来自Negro,黑人，含有强烈的贬义色彩。

英文词源

nigger

nigger: see denigrate

nigger (n.)

1786, earlier neger (1568, Scottish and northern England dialect), from French nègre, from Spanish negro (see Negro). From the earliest usage it was "the term that carries with it all the obloquy and contempt and rejection which whites have inflicted on blacks" [cited in Gowers, 1965, probably Harold R. Isaacs]. But as black inferiority was at one time a near universal assumption in English-speaking lands, the word in some cases could be used without deliberate insult. More sympathetic writers late 18c. and early 19c. seem to have used black (n.) and, after the American Civil War, colored person.

"You're a fool nigger, and the worst day's work Pa ever did was to buy you," said Scarlett slowly. ... There, she thought, I've said "nigger" and Mother wouldn't like that at all. [Margaret Mitchell, "Gone With the Wind," 1936]

Also applied by English settlers to dark-skinned native peoples in India, Australia, Polynesia. The reclamation of the word as a neutral or positive term in black culture (not universally regarded as a worthwhile enterprise), often with a suggestion of "soul" or "style," is attested first in the U.S. South, later (1968) in the Northern, urban-based Black Power movement.

Used in combinations (such as nigger-brown) since 1840s for various dark brown or black hues or objects; euphemistic substitutions (such as Zulu) began to appear in these senses c. 1917. Brazil nuts were called nigger toes by 1896. Variant niggah, attested from 1925 (without the -h, from 1969), is found usually in situations where blacks use the word. Nigra (1944), on the other hand, in certain uses reflects a pronunciation of negro meant to suggest nigger, and is thus deemed (according to a 1960 slang dictionary) "even more derog[atory] than 'nigger.' " Slang phrase nigger in the woodpile attested by 1800; "A mode of accounting for the disappearance of fuel; an unsolved mystery" [R.H. Thornton, "American Glossary," 1912]. Nigger heaven "the top gallery in a (segregated) theater" first attested 1878 in reference to Troy, N.Y.

双语例句

1. " I'm going to skin that nigger alive, " he said quietly.

" 我要去活剥那个黑鬼的皮, " 他低声说.

来自飘（部分）

2. " Ah ain'no free issue nigger, " declared the driver with heat.

" 我可不是刚冒出来的自由黑人. " 车夫生气地辩解道.

来自飘（部分）

3. That's a mighty good nigger, Tom.

他 真 是个好人, 汤姆.

来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

4. They'll all lie. Leastways all but the nigger.

他们都在撒谎, 那个黑人可能除外.

来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

5. He'll come tek dis ole nigger home agin.

他会来带我这老黑奴回家的.

来自飘（部分）