Jansey, as you see I almost committed the same mistake with Bazz. (my post above) Don't let those who would exploit differences & unintentional mistakes of no malaise lead you astray.

We have a few potential terrorists on here that would employ those methods to intentionally divide people. Fortunately, we know who they are.

Jayb I'm glad you enjoy history, may you do so for many years to come. I for one have had more than enough American history through my TV to last me many lifetimes.

I had never heard of the term either, & wish I had not now.

As a classic car enthusiast I frequent a couple of sites with members from all around the world. We find it often easier to understand people for whom English is a second or third language than those in the UK, & especially in the US. We most definitely are separated by our common language.

I would be much happier if indigenous Oz people would stop using American digs & insults, as if they had some meaning here.

If I want to insult someone I will come up with something peculiarly Ozzie. I will not have to borrow something that should have no meaning here.

I was horrified some years back when I heard a New Guinea manager berating his staff, & calling them rock apes. When I realized it was not just his dozen or so local employees he was berating, but half a dozen Europeans as well, I was no longer so embarrassed, I simply thought he was a pig. I then realized my thinking of him that way, made me no better than him. I had to leave before I burst out laughing.

Jayb,

Explain "....potential terrorists on here...."?

If you're saying what I think you're saying about people with whom you have contrary views...I think you had better reexamine your terminology.

I hope you can disabuse me of that notion, and tell me I've misunderstood.

Dear Hasbeen,

The American influence is still very strong in
this country. American movies/television -
are a big influence, especially on young people.
And their expressions form a large part of the
vocabulary used on a daily basis.

Jiggaboo, along with other disparaging words like
nigga, coon, spook, boy, and so, were terms that
were very popular insults directed towards African
Americans. "You ain't nothin' but a jigaboo, boy.
Now shine them shoes!"

It's a bit of a concern to me that the young girl
in question chose to name her dog "jigaboo."
Why? Where did that come from? I would definitely
have explained the history of the word to her - and
told her how offensive it once was. Her choice if
she still kept the name. Perhaps her parents thought
it funny and suggested the name to her. Who knows.
But I would set the record straight.
I wonder if the dog was black?

cont'd ...

I just re-read the opening post.
Apparently the dog was black.

You can't tell me that's merely a co-incidence.
Some-one knew what they were doing.

Dear Lexi,

Just a note, you may well be confusing the owner of the dog with the young girl who was ejected from the football.

I'm not sure Jansey mentioned the dog owner's age at all.