What is the origin of the N-word?

The N-word has its origins tracing back to the 16th or 17th century, deriving primarily from the Latin word "niger," meaning black, and appearing in various forms in Spanish and other languages. By the early 19th century, it had definitely become a derogatory term, although the exact transition into a slur is not entirely clear. The term was used descriptively at times in earlier forms, but gradually it assumed a strongly negative connotation, reflecting the intense racial stigmas imposed on African Americans 1 2.

Randall Kennedy, an expert discussing this on Lex Fridman's podcast, highlights that the N-word’s unique status among slurs reflects the specific and severe stigmatization of African Americans compared to other racial or ethnic groups. Its pervasive presence across thousands of federal court cases underscores its significant social and legal impact 1. Furthermore, the word has also spawned other derogatory terms targeting various groups, indicating its powerful, damaging potential across different contexts 3.