A few months back one of the group that hangs out in the local doughnut shop most mornings lamented that "It's gotten to where I can't even say nigger anymore". Lest there be any confusion as to his meaning, he is essentially a Klansman without an actual membership card. I wasn't in a frame of mind to bite my tongue that morning. I just told him that I really didn't find the word any more offensive than cocksucker or motherfucker. I think a couple of the other regulars just about fainted from shock.