Aldus, you're making an idiot of yourself. No one said anything about the origin of the word faggot . . the comments were on the (history of) its CURRENT common usage. The same applies to "gay" and "dyke", from your list; they ARE currently offensive, and with good cause. I don't think there's any problem with niggardly, and you're certainly doing your damndest to be obtuse. Of couse in any free society folks can decide to be as anti-social and offensice as they like - but must expect others to take exception to their behaviour. Just don't try to suggest to anyone that ANY music is more important than questions of common decency vs. gratuitous offensivness.

G.