This is a word originating from the times of slavery, and was used as a
derogatory term to identify people working on the plantations or fields. The full word is considered being racist when used by a non-black origin or skinned person, and is especially offensive when used to greet a black person. There are two common
alternative spellings for the word, being: n*gga (used more commonly and is typically used to avoid being called racist, since it is seen as more of a greeting than a racial directed slur) and n*gger, ( the original spelling used by slave owners and pronounced with a hard -er to inflict offence and should NOT be used as a friendly greeting to a friend. That will probably get you smacked up on the streets.