I think people were more polite back in the 16th century because they relied on each other for survival quite often.Quote from nutmeg:
'Niggardly' (Function: adjective; Date: 1571): Provided in limited supply.
Isn't it strange how definitions of words change over time?
Quote from pspr:
I think people were more polite back in the 16th century because they relied on each other for survival quite often.
Today we just call it like it is. We don't need nobody!


Quote from rew:
Actually "niggardly" has no etymological connection to "nigger", the latter being a corruption of the Spanish word for "black" and the former being of Scandinavian origin. But Americans are far more politically correct than literate, so are easily alarmed and horrified by one man calling another a miser.
To avoid a sword in the chest or a bullet in the head it would pay to be polite. As you say, better keep your words polite and respectful.Quote from 377OHMS:
The Senator chose his words poorly even though technically the word does not conote any racial meaning.
You think the 16th century was polite?
Hmm maybe. Back in the old country people hacked each other to death with longswords or stabbed one another with a dirk over an impolite word or gesture. Perhaps that meant that overall people were more polite...out of self-preservation.
Its like Los Angeles. Drive in heavy traffic in LA and you won't hear a single automobile horn. Not a toot. Totally the opposite of NYC or Boston or DC.
Out here if you beep your horn you stand a fair chance of being shot or beaten on the spot. We don't beep the horn out here lol.![]()
Quote from rew:
Actually "niggardly" has no etymological connection to "nigger", the latter being a corruption of the Spanish word for "black" and the former being of Scandinavian origin. But Americans are far more politically correct than literate, so are easily alarmed and horrified by one man calling another a miser.