10/4    Why is "boy" not a nice way to refer to black people?
        \_ It's diminutive, boy.  How's it feel, son?  You ok with that, lad?
           \_ So why isn't it offensive for everyone then?
              \_ It is.  But worse in this case because it goes back to when
                 they were here as slaves.
              \_ who said it isn't?  white people don't typically call other
                 white people "boy", however.
                 \_ I have some male friends from the deep south who use 'boy'
                    when trying to get a point across ("boy, y'all in some
                    serious shee-it").  -John
                    \_ i think you're confusing that with boy's use as an
                       interjection. like "boy! it sure is hot today."
        \_ this question cannot be for real.
           \_ oh really.
           \_ of course it can.  you know how many FOBs are here?
              \_ I ain't no fob, boy. -op
                 \_ Using "ain't" like some fake wannabe southerner
                    doesn't help your case.  You were better off
                    as a FOB.
                 \_ Then do you just know nothing of US history? Why would
                    you serioulsy ask that question?
                        \_ Sorry. My US history texts never discussed
                           the significance of the word "boy".
                        \_ "boy" is a term for a domestic servant-  "my
                        boy" is like "my page" - that's why it's negative
                        \_ no, that's not the root reason. it's a
                           diminutive, and when used between two people in
                           a non-social relationship, it's usually an
                           diminutive, and when used between two men who
                           are not familiar friends, it's usually an
                           aggressive act to establish dominance. if i
                           belittle you it challenges you... the clues from
                           anthropology and primate studies are all there.