Word History: The derivation of the word slave encapsulates a bit of European history and explains why the two words slaves and Slavs are so similar; they are, in fact, historically identical. The word slave first appears in English around 1290, spelled sclave. The spelling is based on Old French esclave from Medieval Latin sclavus, “Slav, slave,” first recorded around 800. Sclavus comes from Byzantine Greek sklabos (pronounced sklävs) “Slav,” which appears around 580. Sklavos approximates the Slavs' own name for themselves, the Slovnci, surviving in English Slovene and Slovenian. The spelling of English slave, closer to its original Slavic form, first appears in English in 1538. Slavs became slaves around the beginning of the ninth century when the Holy Roman Empire tried to stabilize a German-Slav frontier. By the 12th century stabilization had given way to wars of expansion and extermination that did not end until the Poles crushed the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410. ·As far as the Slavs' own self-designation goes, its meaning is, understandably, better than “slave” it comes from the Indo-European root *kleu-, whose basic meaning is “to hear” and occurs in many derivatives meaning “renown, fame.” The Slavs are thus “the famous people.” Slavic names ending in -slav incorporate the same word, such as Czech Bohu-slav, “God's fame,” Russian Msti-slav, “vengeful fame,” and Polish Stani-slaw, “famous for withstanding (enemies).”

Originally Posted by cocacobra

Great reasoning. Political correctness gone mad argument is dumb. Nice job backing up your argument, I see theres no point in having an actual discussion with you if you're just going to dismiss any argument as dumb and then have nothing to back it up with.

I would also like to comment on this being "the real world"; last time I checked this was the internet, which is one of the furthest things from the real world.

While I acknowledge everyone is from different backgrounds, beliefs and religions I also acknowledge that this is the internet, and anything that happens on the internet should not be taken to heart.

Originally Posted by Hyde

I grew up in the hood. I've been referring to friends as niggas my whole life. The only places I don't speak like that are A. in a professional environment and B. on the internet, for the same reason that I also don't use local slang on the internet. It just doesn't come off right if no one except a select few people out of a larger than any audience you could expect in real life understand you. As Gorman said, it depends on how the words used. It can be used as a term of endearment, e.x. "My nigga how you been", "What's crackin my nigga", or otherwise.

Should the word be outright banned? That depends on what kinda of forums you want to have. If you really want people to stop saying certain words, just filter them. It isn't the best approach, but it moves people away from saying things that you don't want kids to see as was mentioned above or various other stuff. I would however suggest making the filter optional, so the amphibians with thin and moist skin among us can avoid reading words they consider offensive.

I do not endorse hugboxes or "safe zones", but if people are really that incapable of not being offended on the internet, make it an option for them.

Also, regarding the origins of the word, the origins of the word Slav come from


Slavs do not take offense to being called Slavs. This shows a similar adaption to "Nigga" from "Nigger". Adapted for self-reference in a way that becomes identifying. The only deep and painful thing about the word is what has been taught to you. There is no link between anyone alive right now and slavery, outside of a few places in southeast asia/africa/the middle east that still enslave people.

Originally Posted by ynvaser

Just because Americans/Western colonial powers used black people as slave labour and called them niggers everyone who isn't black should feel bad and avoid the word. /s
Yeah, no. Censorship is bullshit. I got banned for a week for offending PC Principal Kitfox and his terrorist buddies in the wake of the terror attacks in France. All opinions are valid, just because your PC butthole hurts you shouldn't go around banning people, clinging to the reason of "using a racial slur". If you want Discussion to be taken seriously and retain its userbase, you shouldn't let the tone/style of posts warrant punishment when the opinion behind them is valid (and in this case, mainstream even) and the post quality is acceptable.

Originally Posted by Ele

Absolutely. When somebody is using the word and intending to offend somebody by using it, they should be punished... harshly. When they aren't though, or when it's unclear, a little more care and a lighter touch should be used.