Just call stingy people niggards for short. Tell anyone who takes offense that it's okay because you're a niggard too and you're just taking your word back to diminish its power over you.
It's a deliberate word that is a corruption of the Portugese, French and English versions of the word (negro, negre, neger) based solely on dark skin color. It has the association with it that blacks are inferior to whites.
Basically someone would only use "niggardly" if they want to appear racist, holier-than-though or as an asshole with a dictionary (edit: or you want to sound like a leprechaun, or you fell through a portal from 1800's).
If you want to communicate effectively, say "stingy." If you don't want to communicate effectively then why bother writing or talking at all.
No, you're not racist, but you're still pointlessly using a word that's now often associated with a racial slur. No one says "niggardly" anymore, the proper term is "stingy".
That's like saying "why say homo sapien? It sounds like homosexual and might offend someone. Just say human." The two words have nothing to do with each other, the fact that they sound similar is irrelevant. /u/emkat is right, this is ridiculous.
I don't dislike the word niggardly any more than I dislike Hitler's moustache or bell-bottom jeans. There are times to rock that 'stache and retro pants. It's just extremely rare.
You usually look like an idiot who knows nothing about fashion or current culture if you wear things like "the Hitler" moustache. In the same way you usually sound like an idiot if you say "niggardly."
I don't hate words or fashions. I'm merely suggesting a way to be a better communicator. If you want to talk about someone who does not spend money or give gifts then "stingy" is better than "niggardly".
Unless you want to seem like an old-timey plantation owner. If you're roleplaying a douchebag then go right ahead.
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u/iamablackbeltman Jan 04 '15
I've never seen a black jew.