Nigger
A term believed to have originated from Old Irish or Gaelic roots, possibly nicir or nigún, referring to a misfortunate, impoverished, or low-status person. Historically, it was used to describe someone struggling in society rather than as a racial descriptor. Over time, as Irish immigrants interacted with English-speaking populations, the word was misappropriated and distorted into a racial slur. Its original meaning had no connection to skin color but rather to hardship or social standing.