Bad word

[4bforreal!!!]

On one of my post i described as nappy and seemed like i said a bad word. People were like " no its kinky", and they hate that term when it comes to natural. I've been natural for two years and im still learning everything about my hair, and i must admit some things said about my i didnt like being said. Does anything said about hair give you a bad taste in your mouth? Do you agree with certain terms?let me know

 

[4bforreal!!!]

*hair sorry

 

[SVT]

I use nap/nappy/naps as descriptions of my hair sometimes.

Some people dislike those terms. Others don't. There is no consensus.

 

[loulou82]

If you're comfortable using the word to describe your hair use it. I describe my hair as coily others have called it nappy in negative way. It's nothing to me because I love my hair and mostly I laugh because my hair is beyond awesome . Nappy has such baggage, though that I prefer not to get into people's interpretations. But again, if it's your preference then so be it. I haven't read your thread but don't let anyone project their own hang ups/preferences, securities/ insecurities with the word on you.

 

[Nonie]

OP, you might enjoy reading this discussion: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=379736

 

[arosieworld]

I don't think I like it because I have a derogatory association with it, but I wouldn't think you meant it that way so I wouldn't take offense. I don't think it is PC on this forum from what I've read and I know for sure you can't use it on others. To some people it equates to "bad" hair, sometimes its just easier to sacrifice certain words for the good of the community, even if you are fine with them yourself. Don't be hurt just recognize where they are coming from and move on. Sometimes you need a tough skin around here.

 

[ms.blue]

I call my hair nappy all the time but I use it as a term of endearment. I hate when someone calls my hair "african nappy" like there is different ethnic nappiness (actually there is). Actually its the tone that pisses me off along with the stank face when calling my hair "african nappy"

 

[Nonie]

IIRC, the consensus on the forum is, as long as you're referring to your own hair, then it's OK to use the word "nappy". For instance, Nonie's 4B hair is nappy/kinky/tightly curled/tightly coiled and it can be combed out to look like a cloud and like cotton.

It can also be stretched in braids so it appears to have no pattern.

It can also be straightened with heat so it looks like it has no bends at all.

But when washed, Nonie's 4B hair shrinks back to its nappy/kinky/tightly curled/tightly coiled state. And I think it's beautiful in all its forms, even when it's nappy:

 

[loulou82]

/\ Love the post Nonie!

 

[chebaby]

at first i didnt like the word nappy. now i really dont care. i would never use it or allow it be used on a child while im around.

 

[Gigi-07]

I don't care if it's online that I read that word, because I know the women here and on other boards are educated about hair and know better. IRL, however, it's a completely different story. I can be pretty sure, about 99% of the time when I hear someone I use the word "nappy", it's being used in a derogatory way.

 

[Tyra]

I don't use it to describe my hair.

I don't have an issue with the use of the word.
There are just too many words that I could use in it's place without people automatically thinking that I'm being derogatory towards my own hair.

 

[darlingdiva]

^^^^Nonie, your hair is beautiful!!!

*Sorry to hijack!

 

[Netta1]

The word nappy does not bother me...

 

[Bublin]

Girl, someone will always find something offensive even if you didn't mean it to be or you meant it to be kind of tongue-in-cheek. You won't know what is in someone's head before they read your post.

I read your post and i didn't think it was a 'bad word' at all and i didn't think you came across as offensive at all.

Maybe some people liken the word nappy to the word ni**er. I dunno.

Unfortunately on the internet noone can hear your tone of voice, see your facial expressions to really know that what you meant was with good intention.

Don't worry yourself.

 

[Bun Mistress]

I think you have to embrace the word nappy.I used to think of this a derogatory term but now I don't. What I think is most interesting is that now I wear my hair more in it's natural state is WP that seem to LOOOVE it and my fam that always warns ms "Not to have nappy air".

When I first started my hair journey on the natural side (not quite there yet). I thought I was going to have (well lets just call it X) X hair. Well I don't. I was a little upset at first, but I embrace my 4bness and love it!!!!

BTW just heard this song (its a few months old I'm sure) by Boy Jones "Nappy Afro" it runs in my head all day. Especailly the line "check my swag, my afro is still Nappy!" I guess what I mean is everyone is right, this word may offend you and people may say it to offend you. But things can only hurt you if you let it. Now check my SWAG!

 

[Fine 4s]

I tried to have this discussion today in class but didn't get too far.

I generally don't like to use the term 'nappy' because of the negative images associated with this term and I didn't grow up using this term. I've never seen the word 'nappy' used in media print (from what I can remember). Comments I heard tonight like 'my nappy headed kids' or my hair is 'nappy right now' are not positive descriptions. So how can one or these folks conclude that it's a mere descriptive term? And just because someone uses the word to describe their own hair doesn't mean it's a positive adj. (many people don't like themselves and I don't want to contribute to that either.) This is why context will dictate the true meaning of the word. But to avoid ambiguity I much prefer the word 'kinky."

Controversial question: Is it possible that the word 'kinky' or 'nappy' are used more or less depending on the social class?

 

[Nonie]

Controversial question: Is it possible that the word 'kinky' or 'nappy' are used more or less depending on the social class?

I don't understand your question. Can you elaborate please?

 

[lovegymnasts]

I think as with any word it is the way it is said or the context in which it is used.
I want and am on a hunt for an inexpensive t-shirt that says Happy 2 B Nappy. I would wear it proudly.
Yet it sometimes bothers me when a co-worker says their hair is too nappy to go natural.
It's all in the context and the way it is said.
I love my nappy hair and do not see it as negative. Shoot, I love it a little too much.
Yet, others use it as an insult to their hair.

 

[Judwill07]

Actually its the tone that pisses me off along with the stank face when calling my hair "african nappy"

I agree with your whole comment, but the last part really gets me cause some folks can look at you with the stank face and it speaks volumes. I remember when I first cut off all of my hair, and the first day I came to work with it short, the BLACK folks in my office gave me the stank face.... They went straight for my kitchen too lookin with the stank face. Making remarks like,"I can't deal with nappy hair" and "Why did you cut off all your perm?" Sometimes even in a "professional" office, we tend to think it's okay to say whatever we feel like to each other just because we are the same race. Just assuming it's okay to say whatever to that person. I could have been offended by the comment, but I saw it as fear on there part, because they couldn't relate to me making a major decision and walking around as if I won the lotto.

 

[lexiwiththecurls]

I dont like the word nappy because of the negative connotation, however I know alot of people embrace the word so I don't get mad...but I don't want my hair to be called "nappy"...they can call their hair nappy all they want, but I don't want anyone to call my hair that because in my head, I still think people are using it to be negative.

Example, when I came back home from college natural...a friend's mom said " I didn't know your hair could get so nappy!"...my mother was appalled but I wasn't trippin because I know alot of naturals embrace the word...but in the back of my mind..she was probably trying to play me lol. It's all in the way it is said...but I would never call someone's hair nappy.

 

[divachyk]

Girl, someone will always find something offensive even if you didn't mean it to be or you meant it to be kind of tongue-in-cheek. You won't know what is in someone's head before they read your post.

Kind of OT but you're right, someone disliked my avatar while many others liked it. Whatever! I didn't entertain their dislike, I just kept it moving. So OP, just keep it moving. I once said I don't have "good hair" and someone quickly corrected me. Ooookay.

 

[4bforreal!!!]

I dont like the word nappy because of the negative connotation, however I know alot of people embrace the word so I don't get mad...but I don't want my hair to be called "nappy"...they can call their hair nappy all they want, but I don't want anyone to call my hair that because in my head, I still think people are using it to be negative.

Example, when I came back home from college natural...a friend's mom said " I didn't know your hair could get so nappy!"...my mother was appalled but I wasn't trippin because I know alot of naturals embrace the word...but in the back of my mind..she was probably trying to play me lol. It's all in the way it is said...but I would never call someone's hair nappy.

Sorry you had to go through that

 

[Avaya]

Sometimes even in a "professional" office, we tend to think it's okay to say whatever we feel like to each other just because we are the same race. Just assuming it's okay to say whatever to that person.

So bleeping true and so bleeping annoying...

 

[lovegymnasts]

I know I will not explain this well but I think that we should embrace the word nappy especially when others use the word. It's part of us as a people accepting our hair. By using coily, curly, and such we are saying I don't have "that kind of hair" aka nappy hair which people associate with afro textured hair. As if, there is something wrong with nappy hair...that we should be ashamed of it.
When someone says something about nappy hair, I look at them like they are crazy and ask them what is wrong with nappy hair? Sometimes I even say I am looking for a shirt that says Happy 2 B Nappy.

 

[brucebettye]

I do not have a problem with the word "nappy". I just don't use it because I do not want to offend anyone.

 

[Christa438]

I dont use that word to describe me or my daughter's hair or anyone else's that Im close to. I dont embrace the word and most likely never will. I really dont like it personally. (I may possibly use it occassionally towards someone in a playful way but RARELY-- I have relatives that use it & they never use it in a way that means something positive or good.) I think I personally associate nappy with "DAMAGED" or "UGLY" than any other words (these are the words that nappy has been associated with in my world since I was born ) so just because I see someone with natural hair or someone who is black/part-black, I will not say that that person's hair is "nappy" aka "DAMAGED/UGLY." And If I do use the word, I use it across the board regardless of race or texture to mean that the person's hair looks jacked/messy/hot mess/very very frizzy/... I have seen some people (mainly women) with #1 & #2 type hair look so jacked up for real.

 

[pattyr5]

I describe my own hair as nappy but respect other people's sensitivities and don't use it on anyone else. Those same people however, have no business telling me what words I can use to desribe myself or something on my body. I have come across people who don't like the the word nappy but didn't have a problem saying the word n*gg*, so go figure.

The dictionary defines the word nappy as being, course, kinky, coily, wiry and unruly...some of the very words that many use as an alternative, so what's the difference? It's a word, an adjective...descriptive only and without power...it cannot harm me in any way whatsoever. To me, nappy even sounds cute....I mean how can I get twisted over a word that rhymes with happy

 

[Prettyeyes]

It depends on the way it is used (tone and context). It should be used as a positive description of texture and not in a derogatory manner.

I AM HAPPY TO BE NAPPY!

 

[1QTPie]

I like nappy. I don't have an issue with it. Use whatever word that YOU want to use to describe your hair. I wouldn't even acknowledge what anyone else has to say. Those are their issues, not yours.

I like my nappy, kinky, coily, curly, highly textured hair.