When you hear the phrase 9 inoffensive words, you probably expect a light‑hearted list of benign vocabulary. Yet each of these terms, despite having absolutely nothing to do with the N‑word, has been thrust into heated controversy simply because of a phonetic resemblance. Below we dive into each entry, its true definition, and the surprising incidents that forced people to rethink saying them aloud.
Exploring 9 Inoffensive Words
9 Niggardly
Niggardly is arguably the most innocuous term you could ever utter, meaning stingy or miserly. Unfortunately, its first six letters look uncannily like the N‑word, causing constant misunderstandings. Even Senator Bernie Sanders found himself in the crossfire when archival footage showed him saying, “I am not going to be niggardly about funding for daycare,” back in 1986 during his mayoral tenure in Burlington, Vermont.
Sanders isn’t alone; Senator Sherrod Brown (D‑Ohio) sparked a stir in 2012 after using the word in a debate on veteran spending. In 2009, a teacher in Ukiah, California, was forced to resign after describing a school district as “negative and niggardly,” prompting accusations of racism from the district’s Black superintendent, Lois Nash. Earlier, in 2002, another teacher in North Carolina faced reprimand after a Black student took offense to the term, leading to a forced apology for alleged insensitivity.
The most dramatic case involved David Howard, an aide to Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. Howard used the word, was urged to resign, and only returned after Mayor Williams, initially misled, recognized that the term was not a slur. NAACP chairman Julian Bond defended Howard, arguing that “censoring language to meet others’ lack of understanding” was a misstep. The episode highlighted how a perfectly legitimate word can become a lightning rod for controversy.
8 Nigaz
In 2009, Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC announced a partnership with Russia’s Gazprom to build refineries, pipelines, and power stations. The joint venture was christened “Nigaz,” a blend of the first two letters of Nigeria and the first three of Gazprom, pronounced “nye‑gaz.” The name itself carries no racial connotation.
Nevertheless, the moniker ignited a firestorm among Nigerians, the country’s majority‑Black population. Critics demanded a rename, even launching a Facebook group titled “Nigerians No Nigaz.” Yet some Nigerians shrugged it off, remarking that as long as the Russians paid, the name was inconsequential.
7 Negre
Negro and negre are French words for Black people, but the American “Negro” carries heavier baggage, often equated with the N‑word. In France, however, the term “negre” is used more casually, even as slang for a ghostwriter, and is sometimes employed by white French writers to describe themselves.
The word dates back to the 1700s when it denoted someone writing on behalf of another. French speakers who freely use “negre” are often surprised when they read early American literature where “Negro” was a slur. The term’s ambiguity sparked controversy in 2010 when French perfume magnate Jean‑Paul Guerlain claimed he “worked like a negre” while developing his famed Samsara fragrance on live television.
Newscaster Audrey Pulvar, originally from Martinique, condemned Guerlain’s remark as racist, prompting protests outside his boutique and a boycott. The backlash led to Guerlain’s dismissal, and the perfume house lost its longtime perfumer family line.
6 Nigger Rapids
Nigger Rapids is a swift section of the Gatineau River in Bouchette, Quebec, Canada. Though the town is relatively obscure, the rapid’s name drew attention when it was discovered to contain the taboo term.
The origin is murky. One resident claims the rapids were named after a Black man who perished when floating logs blocked his path. Another theory points to a saw‑mill apparatus historically called a “niggerhead,” used in the area over 150 years ago.
Official records show the name first appeared in 1912 when Reverend Joseph Guinard buried two Black individuals near the rapids and named the site in their memory. Regardless of its true derivation, the name sparked calls for change, though some locals argued it should remain as a historical marker.
5 Niggle
In 2017, the Daily Mail faced accusations of racism after publishing a front‑page editorial about Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle. The headline read, “Yes, they joyfully in love. So why do I have a niggling worry about this engagement picture?”
The word “niggling” (derived from “niggle”) signifies a persistent annoyance or concern. Though it bears phonetic similarity to the N‑word, it is unrelated. Critics argued the tabloid was stirring controversy for sales, while others suspected genuine racial bias given Markle’s biracial background.
4 Negro Point
Negerfjellet, Negerdalen, and Negerpynten are Norwegian names for a mountain, valley, and headland, respectively. To English speakers they translate to “Negro Mountain,” “Negro Valley,” and “Negro Point.” The terms refer to the black‑colored rocks and stones that dominate the landscape.
Although the names have no racist origins, they caused a mild uproar when activists in Norway demanded renaming. Rune Berglund of the Antiracist Center labeled them derogatory, but the Norwegian Polar Institute ultimately decided to keep the historic names.
3 Nigger Hill, Nigger Stream And Niggerhead
In 2016, New Zealand renamed two hills and a stream after public outcry over their offensive titles: “Niggerhead” became “Tawhai Hill,” “Nigger Hill” turned into “Kanuka Hill,” and “Nigger Stream” was rechristened “Pukio Stream.” All new names were derived from Māori language.
The original names traced back to the native grass Carex secta, colloquially called “niggerhead” because of its dark coloration. Land Information Minister Louise Upston defended the changes, stating the previous names conflicted with the nation’s inclusive vision.
2 Negerball
Every year, the Bavarian village of Raindorf hosts a charity affair called “Negerball,” raising funds for development projects across Africa. Originally named “Young People Dance for Africa,” the event’s title translates literally to “Negro Ball” or “N‑word Ball,” though the organizers insist there’s no racist intent.
The name sparked controversy in 2017 when a Facebook page for the ball was reported and removed for alleged racism, prompting backlash from supporters. The dispute highlighted linguistic differences: while standard German treats “nigger” as a slur, “Negro” is merely offensive, and Bavarian dialects often use the term neutrally.
Organizers later rebranded the gala as “Negaball,” claiming the new name is an acronym for “Niederbayerische Entwicklungshilfe zu Gunsten Afrika” (Lower Bavarian Development Aid for Africa).
1 Nyjer Seeds
The African yellow daisy, Guizotia abyssinica, produces tiny black seeds prized by bird enthusiasts. Originally marketed in the United States as “Niger seed,” the name was changed to “Nyjer” by the American Wild Bird Feeding Industry over concerns that “Niger” sounded like the N‑word.
Although the seed is native to Nigeria (and sometimes associated with the neighboring country Niger), the pronunciation—”nee‑jair” or “nye‑jerr”—does not match the slur. Nonetheless, consumer confusion prompted the rebranding. A later attempt to rename the product “thistle seeds” backfired, as buyers mistook it for the invasive weed, leading the industry to settle on “Nyjer” as the final compromise.