what's in a word...

melodious

Picnic vs Barbecue


> >"Davis, William C," wrote something to think about. A Little known Black
> >History Fact. This information can also be found in the African American
> >Archives at the Smithsonian
> >Institute. Although not taught in American learning institutions and
> >literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and
> >literature, that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of
> >lynching African -Americans.
> >
> >The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger." This
> >is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into
> >a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic" ("Nic") being the
> >white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie
> >"Rosewood" We should choose to use the word "Barbecue" or outing instead of
> >the word "picnic"
> >P.S. Please forward this e-mail to all of your family and friends and let's
> >educate our people. Once you know who you are, you don't have to worry any
> >more.
> >
No disrespect to anyone here; but this really blew my mind..peace.

blackredyellow

Claim: 'Picnic' was a shortening of 'pick a nigger' and referred to an outdoor community gathering during which families ate from box lunches while a randomly-chosen black man was hanged for the diners' entertainment.

Status: False.

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 1999]


This e-mail is being sent to you as a public service announcement and as information in the form of a little known Black History Fact. This information can also be found in the African American Archives at the Smithsonian Institute.

Although not taught in American learning institutions and literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and literature that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of lynching African-Americans. The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger." This is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic." ("Nic" being the white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie "Rosewood."

We should choose to use the word "barbecue" or "outing" instead of the word "picnic."

Please forward this e-mail to all of your family and friends and let's educate our people.

Origins: Specious
etymologies seem to be all the rage of late, and this wild claim about 'picnic' fits that trend. You'll be heartened to know 'picnic' has nothing to do with lynching Blacks (or anyone else, for that matter). The e-mailed "little known fact" quoted above is a hoax. And a mean-spirited one at that, one that makes all who repeat it look incredibly foolish.

'Picnic' began life as a 17th-century French word — it wasn't even close to being an American invention. A 1692 edition of Origines de la Langue Françoise de Ménage mentions 'piquenique' as being of recent origin marks the first appearance of the word in print. As for how the French came by this new term, it was likely invented by joining the common form of the verb 'piquer' (meaning "to pick" or "peck") and a nonsense rhyming syllable coined to fit the first half of this new palate-pleaser.

The first documented appearance of the term outside the French language occurred in 1748, but it was 1800 or thereabouts before anyone can prove it made it into the English language. Even then, it still wasn't in America — it was in England.

Originally, the term described the element of individual contribution each guest was supposed to make towards the repast, as everyone who had been invited to social events styled as "picnics" was expected to turn up bearing a dish to add to the common feast. This element was picked up in other 'picnic' terms, such as 'picnic society,' which described gatherings of the intelligentsia where everyone was expected to perform or in some other way contribute to the success of the evening.

Over time, the meaning of the word shifted to emphasize an alfresco element that had crept into the evolving concept of what such gatherings were supposed to be. Nowadays one thinks of a picnic as a casual meal partaken in a pastoral setting, not as a repast enjoyed either indoors or outdoors but which was contributed to by everybody. Modern picnics can be provisioned by only one cook, and no one would think anything of it -- what matters now is the food be eaten outdoors.

By the 19th century, 'picnic' had successfully made this linguistic shift in meaning. Its history (and that of every other word in the English language) is documented in the Oxford English Dictionary, and nowhere in its lengthy OED entry is mention made of executions or blacks.

One has to wonder at the workings of the mind of someone who'd invent this spurious "pick a nigger" derivation and then set it loose on the Internet. Of course, the fact that it's spurious hasn't deterred those who are determined to find something to be offended by, as noted in this excerpt from a 2000 National Post article:

Meanwhile, things are not peachy on the campus of SUNY/Albany. The university wanted to honour baseball legend Jackie Robinson by having a picnic. But the university's equity office said this must not occur because the word "picnic" referred originally to gatherings held to lynch Blacks. In fact, as one of their own English professors (rather less committed to historical revisionism than RMC's Dr. Robinson) pointed out, the word "picnic" actually comes from a 17th-century French word that denotes a party at which everyone brings food. But Zaheer Mustafa, the equity officer, nevertheless decreed that "picnic" not be used because "the point is — the word offends." So the university decided to call it an "outing." Then, homosexual students took objection to that, and SUNY decided to publicize the event without using any noun to describe it.

There's a very real downside to spouting hoax definitions just because they push a few buttons: It makes those doing the yelling look uneducated and ineducable. Those who run with their emotions instead of using their heads end up doing the racists' work for them by making themselves appear to be foolish shadow-jumpers incapable of cracking open any random dictionary before yelling that the sky is falling. This popeyed caricature image is not something one wishes to foster if racism is to be defeated; it merely serves to reinforce the white supremacists' claim that blacks are inherently inferior.

Barbara "nitpicnic'ing" Mikkelson

Last updated: 15 November 2000
http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/picnic.htm

melodious

I can only say that this was sent to me by a brother who feels very passionate and wanted me to get the word out, if nothing else food for thought...

I should have known.....thanks...;)

lucylespian

blackredyellow wrote:

Claim: 'Picnic' was a shortening of 'pick a nigger' and referred to an outdoor community gathering during which families ate from box lunches while a randomly-chosen black man was hanged for the diners' entertainment.

Status: False.

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 1999]


This e-mail is being sent to you as a public service announcement and as information in the form of a little known Black History Fact. This information can also be found in the African American Archives at the Smithsonian Institute.

Although not taught in American learning institutions and literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and literature that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of lynching African-Americans. The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger." This is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic." ("Nic" being the white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie "Rosewood."

We should choose to use the word "barbecue" or "outing" instead of the word "picnic."

Please forward this e-mail to all of your family and friends and let's educate our people.

Origins: Specious
etymologies seem to be all the rage of late, and this wild claim about 'picnic' fits that trend. You'll be heartened to know 'picnic' has nothing to do with lynching Blacks (or anyone else, for that matter). The e-mailed "little known fact" quoted above is a hoax. And a mean-spirited one at that, one that makes all who repeat it look incredibly foolish.

'Picnic' began life as a 17th-century French word — it wasn't even close to being an American invention. A 1692 edition of Origines de la Langue Françoise de Ménage mentions 'piquenique' as being of recent origin marks the first appearance of the word in print. As for how the French came by this new term, it was likely invented by joining the common form of the verb 'piquer' (meaning "to pick" or "peck") and a nonsense rhyming syllable coined to fit the first half of this new palate-pleaser.

The first documented appearance of the term outside the French language occurred in 1748, but it was 1800 or thereabouts before anyone can prove it made it into the English language. Even then, it still wasn't in America — it was in England.

Originally, the term described the element of individual contribution each guest was supposed to make towards the repast, as everyone who had been invited to social events styled as "picnics" was expected to turn up bearing a dish to add to the common feast. This element was picked up in other 'picnic' terms, such as 'picnic society,' which described gatherings of the intelligentsia where everyone was expected to perform or in some other way contribute to the success of the evening.

Over time, the meaning of the word shifted to emphasize an alfresco element that had crept into the evolving concept of what such gatherings were supposed to be. Nowadays one thinks of a picnic as a casual meal partaken in a pastoral setting, not as a repast enjoyed either indoors or outdoors but which was contributed to by everybody. Modern picnics can be provisioned by only one cook, and no one would think anything of it -- what matters now is the food be eaten outdoors.

By the 19th century, 'picnic' had successfully made this linguistic shift in meaning. Its history (and that of every other word in the English language) is documented in the Oxford English Dictionary, and nowhere in its lengthy OED entry is mention made of executions or blacks.

One has to wonder at the workings of the mind of someone who'd invent this spurious "pick a nigger" derivation and then set it loose on the Internet. Of course, the fact that it's spurious hasn't deterred those who are determined to find something to be offended by, as noted in this excerpt from a 2000 National Post article:

Meanwhile, things are not peachy on the campus of SUNY/Albany. The university wanted to honour baseball legend Jackie Robinson by having a picnic. But the university's equity office said this must not occur because the word "picnic" referred originally to gatherings held to lynch Blacks. In fact, as one of their own English professors (rather less committed to historical revisionism than RMC's Dr. Robinson) pointed out, the word "picnic" actually comes from a 17th-century French word that denotes a party at which everyone brings food. But Zaheer Mustafa, the equity officer, nevertheless decreed that "picnic" not be used because "the point is — the word offends." So the university decided to call it an "outing." Then, homosexual students took objection to that, and SUNY decided to publicize the event without using any noun to describe it.

There's a very real downside to spouting hoax definitions just because they push a few buttons: It makes those doing the yelling look uneducated and ineducable. Those who run with their emotions instead of using their heads end up doing the racists' work for them by making themselves appear to be foolish shadow-jumpers incapable of cracking open any random dictionary before yelling that the sky is falling. This popeyed caricature image is not something one wishes to foster if racism is to be defeated; it merely serves to reinforce the white supremacists' claim that blacks are inherently inferior.

Barbara "nitpicnic'ing" Mikkelson

Last updated: 15 November 2000
http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/picnic.htm

This is a superb post.

More simply, if I use the word "picnic" to describe "a casual meal in a pastoral setting", tehn I am in no way referring to killign anybody, and should not be deterred from enjoying my picnic.

It's not a barbeque without lots of heat, beer and burnt offerings. Not even nearly teh same as a picnic.
BAsic difference, bbq's are charaterised by teh presence of flies, picnics require ants.

catefrances

lucylespian wrote:

BAsic difference, bbq's are charaterised by teh presence of flies, picnics require ants.

not to mention the self segregation of the sexes while the kids run amok and the presence of the 'chef' in an apron with boobs or 'kiss the cook' written on it. oh and the elevation of the blokes to feats of superhuman endeavours when recounting stories for amusement and amazement.

oops nearly forgot... the everpresent dog awaiting its chance to swoop on the dropped chop.

lucylespian

catefrances wrote:

not to mention the self segregation of the sexes while the kids run amok and the presence of the 'chef' in an apron with boobs or 'liss the cook' written on it. oh and the elevation of the blokes to feats of superhuman endeavours when recounting stories for amusement and amazement.

oops nearly forgot... the everpresent dog awaiting its chance to swoop on the dropped chop.

There used to be a song.........



"when the steaks are burning fiercely, and the smoke gets in your eyes,
and teh sausages taste like like fried toothpaste
and you're driven mad by flies
It's a national institution, it's the Aussie thing to do,
so grab a plate, something or other mate
and let's have a barbeque

woof woof woof
woof woof woof

etc etc

se tehere is always a dog, maybe that relates to the important tradition in a hanging picnic, of having a dog handy in case the hangee escapes and runs off with the tucker ??


The best thing about teh Mythbusters show was.....



















they proved nearly all these bullshit stories are in fact, myths !!

catefrances

here in australia we got a brand of cheese called, COON.

lucylespian

catefrances wrote:

here in australia we got a brand of cheese called, COON.

And even worse, these things bobbing around in the ocean called buoys, which we dare to pronounce (boys) !!

Shock, horror, I'm gonna swoon !!

catefrances

lucylespian wrote:

And even worse, these things bobbing around in the ocean called buoys, which we dare to pronounce (boys) !!

Shock, horror, I'm gonna swoon !!

here's something worse.

back in the 70s, my nanna had a black labrador called nigger.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

fucking letters man....that's what...

catefrances

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

fucking letters man....that's what...

what about words unspoken.

lucylespian

I used to have a friend called Tessa.

When sghe was growing up, their neighbours had a dog callerd Tessa too. They used to holler out, "Come here Tessa, ya fat bitch and eat some scraps".

Scarred for life, or not.

MAybe we shouldn't use the word Tessa either, just getting that out there guys, etc etc

catefrances

lucylespian wrote:

I used to have a friend called Tessa.

When sghe was growing up, their neighbours had a dog callerd Tessa too. They used to holler out, "Come here Tessa, ya fat bitch and eat some scraps".

Scarred for life, or not.

MAybe we shouldn't use the word Tessa either, just getting that out there guys, etc etc

oh my nan had a jack russell called tess.

melodious

you are all hilarious....thanks for laughter...

onelongsong

melodious wrote:

Picnic vs Barbecue


> >"Davis, William C," wrote something to think about. A Little known Black
> >History Fact. This information can also be found in the African American
> >Archives at the Smithsonian
> >Institute. Although not taught in American learning institutions and
> >literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and
> >literature, that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of
> >lynching African -Americans.
> >
> >The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger." This
> >is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into
> >a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic" ("Nic") being the
> >white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie
> >"Rosewood" We should choose to use the word "Barbecue" or outing instead of
> >the word "picnic"
> >P.S. Please forward this e-mail to all of your family and friends and let's
> >educate our people. Once you know who you are, you don't have to worry any
> >more.
> >
No disrespect to anyone here; but this really blew my mind..peace.

hey girl. last week i was thinking of a thread with the same name. it was meant to point out that global warming was inproperly named. this example being used to show how much importance people will give to something just because of it's name. for example; if global warming was called global disaster; more people would listen. so there's a lot in a name.
have a good day.

onelongsong

melodious wrote:

Picnic vs Barbecue


> >"Davis, William C," wrote something to think about. A Little known Black
> >History Fact. This information can also be found in the African American
> >Archives at the Smithsonian
> >Institute. Although not taught in American learning institutions and
> >literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and
> >literature, that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of
> >lynching African -Americans.
> >
> >The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger." This
> >is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into
> >a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic" ("Nic") being the
> >white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie
> >"Rosewood" We should choose to use the word "Barbecue" or outing instead of
> >the word "picnic"
> >P.S. Please forward this e-mail to all of your family and friends and let's
> >educate our people. Once you know who you are, you don't have to worry any
> >more.
> >
No disrespect to anyone here; but this really blew my mind..peace.

a bbq is when you cook the food there. a picnic is when you bring the food already cooked.

melodious

^^;)

onelongsong....this what you say about using a similar name for a thread. makes me think of a post of a kindred friend: if oops were a lifestyle....

lovely prompt!!!