PC Chris Jefford, the Metropolitan Police's Director of Training, told the
Minister responsible for Police that the use of the 'Nitty-Gritty' phrase was
one which would bring a working officer up on a disciplinary charge, and that
it was prohibited from use, as it was a racist term.
Denham seemed truly surprised, as others explained the origins of the term being
that which was left at the bottom of slavery ships, once everything else
living was removed.
As Denham said, "It does show there are phrases in our language that we are not
aware of", and the whole area of political correctness is a minefield, as there
is no definitive list of phrases which are acceptable and those which are not.
In this case it appears that the Police Federation has got it wrong, and Denham
is in the clear. The origins of the Nitty-Gritty phrase do not seem to be as
appalling as some imagined.
The origins of the phrase are almost impossible to track down, and it does
seem to have its roots as a Black American English expression.
The first written occurrence of the phrase can be found around 1950, although
there are claims that the term has been used in print as far back as the 1920's.
Dr Jonathan Lighter, editor of the Historical Dictionary of American Slang,
recorded its usage
in 1956 as having the non-racially overtoned meaning of 'the heart of the
matter', and, 'the core issues' as it is defined these days in most
dictionaries.
Although the phrase may have been in use well before then, it is almost
inconceivable that, had it been used as suggested with respect to slave
ships, that there are no examples of such usage at all.
If the term Nitty-Gritty, is offensive, there is absolutely no evidence which
supports that view. It seems that its unacceptable racial overtones are
a product of folklore rather than factual.
This is probably a great relief to Denham, and officers previously chastised or
punished for using the phrase may like to seek redress. Although the door is
always open if it can be shown to be an unacceptable phrase.
Police officers, those in the public eye, and even the general public, can get
into a lot of trouble when using similarly innocuous words, or using them in
the wrong context, and it's very hard not to do so when the origins of terms,
or the reason why they are deemed offensive, isn't known.
Colloquial slang varies
from one part of the country to another, and what may be little more than a
minor insult in one part of the country may be deeply offensive in another.
Inter-country and cross-culture language is also fraught with problems; Wanker
is a reasonably common surname in the USA ( as made famous by Al Bundy's wife in
the American Married With Children sitcom ), much to the amusement of
the English.
It would undoubtedly be hard for any police officer, in the midst of a tense
situation, to have to deal with an irate member of the public bellowing, "Look,
I'm a Wanker. I've been a Wanker all my life. My dad's a Wanker, My grandpa's a
Wanker, and we've been Wankers since 1843. What do you mean, you'll arrest me
if I don't tell you my name ? Wanker !"
There are also Black people who are quite happy to use the N-word but
who would not accept such an appellation thrown at them from 'White Folks', who
use the phrase in a genuinely racist manner. The band Niggaz With Attitude,
are often referred to by the simple abbreviation, NWA, to avoid offence
to those who didn't believe it should be used at all. While some have
taken the tag, believing it to destroy the negative, prejudical connotations
associated with it, and use it almost casually, many others disagree. It is an
issue which still stirs up a lot of feelings. To many, the removal of
references to the dog's name in the film Dam Busters was seen to be a
step too far, for others, a step none too soon.
The question as to what a black person should be called has confused many,
especially those who were brought up to say they were 'coloured'. Its
non-white connotations now rejected to be replaced by an adjective which is
inclusive rather than exclusive is welcomed, but leaves doubt about what to
call or those from other countries, or do not on first impressions have a
black heritage.
Many people are unaware that they may have said anything unacceptable,
especially when attitudes have been ingrained through social and education
experiences, and it is hard for such people to change without being informed
that they are wrong, and being told what the alternatives are. And it's no
good telling people they are wrong, if they are not told why.
The only way to resolve the issue of what is acceptable language, and that
which is not, is to create a list of words and phrases which
should not be used, however, as illustrated, words which are deemed
offensive may not be in other circumstances, and vice-versa. There's also the
danger that proscribing words is a threat to free speech.
The only compromise is perhaps a list of phrases of words, which although not
banning them, rationally, and objectively, explains why such phrases are
unacceptable, where they originate from, and who they offend. This at least
allows us to be aware of where the pitfalls may be, and help us avoid falling
into them.
It is only by education and having knowledge that we modify our behaviour, and
our use of language.
