like a nigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like a nigger" is not acceptable in written English as it is offensive and considered inflammatory.
If you want to use a comparison that involves race, you should use a term that is respectful and non-offensive. For example: "like somebody of African descent."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Plus, "when she moved, she moved just like a nigger".

The New Yorker

I was just going to say Katherine Burke looked almost like a nigger.

The New Yorker

The memory of the lynching excites him and he wakes his wife and says: "Come on, sugar, I'm going to do you like a nigger, just like a nigger, come on, sugar, and love me like you'd love a nigger".

The Guardian - Books

During an interview in 2010 on France 2 television, Mr. Guerlain said creating the new perfume Samsara, "I set myself to work like a nigger.

The New York Times

An heir to the Guerlain perfume empire said on TV he had worked "like a nigger" to create a new scent.

The Guardian

"Life is like a Nigger, here in Old Nigs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He must have been shaken by what one driver said to his wife, who was riding in the passenger seat, as he pointed a pistol at my grandfather's head: "I feel like killing a nigger tonight".

The New Yorker

"Just like you, just like you, nigger, we wanna be a nigger like you," Primera Base rapped offensively about their hero, Malcolm X.

The New York Times

"Just think, three o'clock in the morning, they show up, and Jason's, like, 'There's a nigger right there,' " Lawson, who is black, said.

The New Yorker

Today calling a Croatian an Ustasha is like calling him a nigger.

Vice

What get's lost is that the term "People of Color" derives from "Free People Of Color" that people who had African ancestry in the late 1700s and 1800s were called when white people didn't feel like calling them a "nigger" or a "colored".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase “like a nigger” in any context due to its deeply offensive and hurtful nature. Opt for respectful and neutral language to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Do not attempt to justify the use of the phrase “like a nigger” by citing historical or literary sources. The phrase remains offensive regardless of its appearance in older texts or discussions about racism. Focus on using respectful alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “like a nigger” functions as a simile, attempting to draw a comparison between an action or state and a derogatory stereotype. However, the use of the slur makes this comparison deeply offensive and inappropriate. Ludwig AI explicitly flags this phrase as unacceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “like a nigger” is an offensive racial slur and should never be used. Ludwig AI clearly indicates that this phrase is unacceptable in any context. While examples exist in News & Media sources, these instances typically involve discussions about the use of the slur, rather than its neutral employment. It is crucial to opt for respectful and inclusive language, using alternatives such as "in a similar manner" or "similarly" to express comparison without causing harm. The phrase's grammatical correctness does not mitigate its deeply offensive nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similarly

A concise way to indicate resemblance without specifying the offensive term.

in a similar manner

Replaces the offensive comparison with a general expression of similarity.

in the same way

Expresses doing something in an identical fashion, replacing the problematic comparison.

much the same way

A neutral manner to convey actions or occurrences that bear resemblance.

in a comparable fashion

Denotes actions done in a related or correspondent way without offense.

in that vein

Suggests continuation along a similar line of thought or action without the slur.

of a similar kind

Conveys resemblance in nature or type, avoiding the racial slur.

just like that

Indicates ease or speed of an action, steering clear of offensive connotations.

following that pattern

Highlights adherence to a similar sequence or mode, removing the offensive comparison.

after that fashion

Implies a comparable style or method but is more formal and avoids the offensive term.

FAQs

Why is it inappropriate to use the phrase "like a nigger"?

The phrase "like a nigger" is deeply offensive due to its historical association with racism and dehumanization. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes and causes significant pain and harm.

What can I say instead of "like a nigger" to express similarity?

You can use alternatives such as "in a similar manner", "similarly", or "in the same way" depending on the context.

How can I discuss historical uses of offensive language without perpetuating harm?

When discussing historical uses of offensive language, it's crucial to provide context and explicitly condemn the language. Avoid using the offensive terms casually, and focus on the impact and history of the words.

Is there ever a situation where using the phrase "like a nigger" is acceptable?

Due to its offensive and hurtful nature, there are virtually no situations where using the phrase "like a nigger" is acceptable. It's essential to prioritize respectful and inclusive language in all contexts.