nigger joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nigger joke" is grammatically correct but is highly offensive and not usable in written English.
It should not be used in any context due to its derogatory nature and historical implications. Example: "He made a nigger joke that left everyone in the room uncomfortable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

("A joke. A nigger joke. That's the way it got started").

The New Yorker

Even once you've made it through the numerous racist song titles, the collection of jokes the author punches up from a Web site called KKKomedy Central — Micetrap's Nigger Joke Center ("Q: What do you call a nigger boy riding a bike? A: Thief!"), and the exhaustive lists of court cases, it is difficult to glean exactly what point Kennedy is trying to make.

The New Yorker

If you're telling a nigger joke, TELL a nigger joke".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

These friends, the children told me, told one another nigger jokes and sang short songs that all of us knew about "picking niggers".

The New York Times

When she was about 12, a boy came into her classroom one day, sat on her desk, "and started telling nigger jokes.

The Guardian - Books

And later, when a boy sat on my desk and told nigger jokes while the teacher was out of the room or another boy told me, "I don't believe in the mixing of the races" on a class trip, I knew exactly what they were talking about as well.

The New York Times

We -- who raise no hand to silence the mean and little men who have their nigger jokes.

Huffington Post

(Wallace interviewed an ex-producer who quoted Imus as saying he had hired staff member Bernard McGuirk "to do nigger jokes".

Huffington Post

JOKE: Nigger and a gun joke - why do niggers hold their guns sideways?..... cause that is the way they found it... http://t.co/DsF10jr7VL.

Vice

There is a difference between Boyle using the word "nigger" when making a joke about the Ministry of Defence (in full, the joke ran: "The Ministry of Defence? At least in the old days we were honest, it was the Ministry of War.

The Guardian

— Powers, in the midst of failing to play a recording of Richard Pryor performing his 1976 routine, "Bicentennial Nigger," which includes this joke: "You all know how black humor started?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "nigger joke" under any circumstances. It perpetuates racism and causes harm. Instead, address the underlying prejudice without using slurs. If you need to refer to it, use a phrase like "racist joke" or "offensive joke with racial slurs".

Common error

Do not attempt to soften the impact of the phrase "nigger joke" by claiming it's "just a joke" or using it in a "historical context". The term itself is inherently offensive, and any attempt to normalize it is unacceptable. Focus on condemning the racism rather than repeating the slur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nigger joke" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of joke characterized by the use of a racial slur. It's a highly offensive term, as Ludwig AI indicates, and its usage is strongly discouraged. It attempts to categorize a joke based on its derogatory content, but its primary function is to perpetuate harm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nigger joke" is grammatically correct but morally reprehensible and ethically unacceptable. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is strongly discouraged due to its deeply offensive nature and the historical pain associated with the racial slur. While some sources may use it to discuss instances of racism, it's crucial to avoid using the phrase in any context. Alternatives like "racist joke" or "joke containing racial slurs" should be employed to address the topic without perpetuating harm. The phrase's primary function is to categorize humor based on racial prejudice, but its impact is to reinforce systemic racism and cause pain. Its informal and offensive register makes it inappropriate for professional or formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

racist joke

Replaces the specific slur with a broader term for jokes based on racial prejudice.

offensive joke

Generalizes the phrase to any joke that causes offense, not necessarily race-related.

racial slur disguised as humor

Emphasizes the harmful nature of using racial slurs under the guise of humor.

prejudiced joke

Highlights the bias and prejudice inherent in the joke.

bigoted joke

Focuses on the intolerance and bigotry expressed through the joke.

discriminatory joke

Indicates the joke's discriminatory nature, targeting a specific group.

insensitive joke

Points out the lack of sensitivity and awareness in telling such a joke.

derogatory joke

Highlights the demeaning and disrespectful aspect of the joke.

hate speech disguised as comedy

Accentuates the malicious intent behind using hate speech in a comedic format.

unacceptable joke

Simple replacement that highlights the offensive nature of the joke, implying it shouldn't be told.

FAQs

Why is it offensive to say "nigger joke"?

The phrase "nigger joke" is offensive because it combines a racial slur with the concept of humor, normalizing racism and perpetuating harm. The word "nigger" itself has a deeply painful history, and using it in any context, especially a joke, is unacceptable.

What can I say instead of "nigger joke"?

You can use alternatives like "racist joke", "offensive joke", or "joke containing racial slurs" to describe the concept without using the offensive term.

Is there any situation where using "nigger joke" would be acceptable?

No, there is virtually no situation where using "nigger joke" would be acceptable. It's crucial to avoid using the phrase to prevent causing harm and perpetuating racism. Even in academic discussions about racism, the phrase should be avoided, and the racial slur should be replaced by "the n-word".

What is the impact of using phrases like "nigger joke"?

Using phrases like "nigger joke" reinforces systemic racism, perpetuates discrimination, and causes pain and trauma to individuals and communities. It normalizes hate speech and creates a hostile environment for people of color.