g085 wrote
"fact is that back then it was perfectly acceptable "
pr00ne followed up with . . .
"What the hell's that supposed to mean, I think you'll find it was offensive to black people then just as it is now!"
You were there?
What g085 means is that the term was in common useage as a word. It was, for example, the name given to a particular dark brown colour - and thought no more offensive at that time than words "blue", "magenta" or "pink". It was also the name of a particular brand of Cherry shoe polish. The word was used to describe the colour of cars, setees, suits, dresses, hats, dogs and, I think, cats and horses.
It was an inocuous adjective until those of a certain mindset began to feel guilty, called it a noun and debased it. Bit like the word "gay" really.
