Originally, "nigger" was a derogatory variant derivative of the Latin term "Negro" meaning black in color.

However, more recently, the cultural meaning has evolved to mean (amongst blacks and whites....derogatorily) a lazy, uneducated person, (of color). etc.

A term that is racist to African Americans, but used alot.

A word that everyone else is afraid to define except in utter seriousness, for fear of being branded a rascist, in total ignorance of the colloquial usage of the word, its characterization in popular culture, and the populations of people it is used most by.

Historically a modulated mispronunciation of "negro" by slave-handlers in the deep south, and now a term of endearment between some black people. People seek to remove it's racist connotations by reversing it's use, but ultimately it can cause racial boundaries rather than remove them.

Used as a disparaging term for a member of any dark-skinned people.

What you would call the Flintstones if they were black.