[Marxism] Re: "niggardly" and "bitch-slapped"

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think we are heading into a needless dispute over language.

Recently, I learned that "bitch-slapped" doesn't have a humanoid sexist
origin but refers to how someone disciplines their dog. Since "bitch"
refers to female dogs, the argument that this has NO sexist connotations
is far from clear to me. But as far as I am concerned, beside the point.
I tend to think there are  contexts where it could be used.  I 'm
opposed to banning just about anything from literature or comedy, but in
political discussions words that sound offensive to people quite
naturally should be passed on if they are not necessary.

On niggardly, I don't think using it is very constructive in political
discussions, since it sounds legitimately offensive to people and is
hardly an indispensable word.

What's the alternative position, to demonstrate superior knowledge of
philology, and greater preparedness to win big on Jeopardy? Useful to
point out the word-origin facts but not useful to insist on the word.

Fred Feldman

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