Nigger balls. Really? What were we thinking?
As a kid I was oblivious to the fact that the name given to these could be derogatory – I’d never linked the name to the obvious connotation, and I suspect that the same was true for most people (or kids at least) back then. Today they’re simply called Black Balls, which I guess is a less objectionable name.
The word “nigger” has never been a commonly-used term in South Africa. We have our own set of offensive terms that have for many years now been considered unacceptable.
Intersting to learn that you have a similar concept for black sweets, Paul. In Germany, ignorant people continue to say Negerkuss, frankly translated nigger kiss, to name a chocolate marshmallow. In spite of the criticism of people of colours living in Germany, whites often resist to use another, a political correct name, i.e. Schokoladenkuss or Schaumkuss. Their argument: I’ve used the word during my childhood and I still want to use it.
Wasn’t aware of that Ali. Perhaps it’s less about them being ignorant, and more about them not caring about other people’s feelings? I find it’s never worth the argument – if folk don’t get it by now it’s unlikely that they ever will.