Dictionary

nig en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

From Middle English nig, probably of Scandinavian origin; see niggard. Unrelated to nigger.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Niggard.

Forms

nig en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Clipping of nigger. In the verb sense, a reinterpretation as if the word contained the suffix -er.

Meanings

1. (ethnic, offensive, slur) A nigger.
   • In a field near the house was a nigger working a poor old broken-down mule and another nigger sowing wheat. When we came up, both nigs quit work and stared at us. 1961, Robert Hale Strong, A Yankee private's Civil War:
   • ‘When a few wild nigs come in he must ‘educate’ the most intelligent looking; they will come in handy.’ 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 216:
   • Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe, He was de nig dat sarved me so,… 1925, Dorothy Scarborough, assisted By Ola Lee Quiledge, On The Trail of Negro Folk-Songs-online book. A collection of negro folk songs with lyrics, sheet music & commentaries, Traditionalmusic.co.uk, pages 69–70:
   • He always thought one step ahead of the nigs. 1959, Don Robertson, The three days:
   • What part did she play in your marrying a nig — a black man — nig, nig — Negro? 1967, Frank Hercules, I want a black doll:
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) Clipping of nigga (“friend, fellow black person”).
   alt of nigga
   • Take Blow, my room dawg and fraternity brother from back in the college days. He's a real smoove nig, curly haired handsome, and got mad chick appeal. 2009, Mary B. Morrison, Maneater, Detroit, M.I. […]: Thorndike Press, →ISBN, page 252:

Forms

nig en · VERB · etymology 2

Etymology

Clipping of nigger. In the verb sense, a reinterpretation as if the word contained the suffix -er.

Meanings

1. (Internet, ethnic, intransitive, slur) To behave as a stereotypical black person.

Forms

Relateds

nig-nog