nigger
The origin and history of nigger.
Etymology
From French nègre and Spanish negro, both ultimately from Latin niger, "black." It was a neutral descriptive term in earlier centuries but became a term of contempt through its long association with slavery and racism, and by the 20th century had become a slur.
Class of 1900
nigger first entered the language around 1900. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1900 →