Jeri...We used that (spade) expression growing up, in fact I'm certain I can remember my grandmother (she would have been 105 this year) using it. We also had no inkling of racist connotation. A spade to us was a shovel with a square nose and a D handle used variuosly for chopping ice, planting, or cutting sod. Being outdoorsy sorts, the expression made a lot of sense. Don't think I was aware of another meaning until adulthood, maybe from the influence of TV?

English is much fun.

Peace, Mooh.