Times ARE changing

[Richmond]

Well put, good point.

On 7.06.20 11:06, Richard Gaskin via use-livecode wrote:
> Richmond wrote:
> > If some of these types who go on endlessly about anything that might
> > be vaguely construed as 'racist' were capable of slightly more subtle
> > thought they might examine intentions: after all if we all judged
> > people on what they looked like most of us would be out of a job and
> > starving.
>
> There is also the problem of linguistic false cognates. Similar words 
> from different regions often have very different etymologies.
>
> While the stories of the old British Empire can be charming (I love 
> the two hard-bound volumes of Kipling my father gave me), the Indian 
> tale is unrelated to both the origins of the American word "sambo" and 
> its colloquial use.
>
> On this continent, much of our language is influenced by the Spanish 
> who were among the first Europeans to explore and settle most the 
> Americas.
>
> From Wikipedia:
>
>    The word "sambo" came into the English language from the Latin
>    American Spanish word zambo, the Spanish word in Latin America
>    for a person of mixed African and Native American descent.[3]
>    This in turn may have come from one of three African language
>    sources. Webster's Third International Dictionary holds that
>    it may have come from the Kongo word nzambu ("monkey") — the
>    z of (Latin American) Spanish being pronounced here like the
>    English s.
>
> Complicating matters further is the difference between etymology and 
> popular usage, as Ms Gay has reminded us with good humor over the 
> years. :)
>
> English-speaking people in the US didn't use the word until after the 
> American Civil War, popularized mostly by the losing side of that 
> conflict as a derogatory term.
>
> Though the war was long ago, the legacy is evident. We needn't go any 
> further on that here in this programmer's list.
>
> It is indeed unfortunate that those who used the word most commonly in 
> the States have cast an unfortunate pallor on a tale from the other 
> side of the world, and that Samuel Battistone and Newell Bohnett found 
> themselves in an awkward spot with their restaurants well known for 
> excellent pancake breakfasts.
>
> Indeed, the Santa Barbara restaurant is still family-owned, and the 
> current manager Chad Stevens has expressed a hopeful note about the 
> name change that goes into effect this Friday:
>
> "With the changing world and circumstances, the name isn’t just about 
> what it means to us, but the meaning it holds for others. At this 
> point, our family has looked into our hearts and realize that we must 
> be sensitive when others whom we respect make a strong appeal. So 
> today we stand in solidarity with those seeking change and doing our 
> part."
>
> Maybe best of all, the new temporary name they'll be using while the 
> family decides on a permanent one is: "☮&LOVE"
>
> https://www.noozhawk.com/article/bizhawk_sambos_santa_barbara_to_change_name_20200604 
>
>
> By any name, the restaurant at 216 W. Cabrillo Blvd in Santa Barbara 
> is well worth making a point of visiting whenever you're passing 
> through that part of California's coast.  The pancakes are truly awesome.
>
>
> This is quite off-topic, and I hope this momentary indulgence in 
> etymology and pancakes doesn't stray too close to cheese.
>
> Back to our regularly-scheduled LiveCode discussion, where I'll post a 
> question about the Browser widget next...
>