nappy hair

menzzingos · (#1 (**permalink**))

Does someone know how the word "nappy" became the word to express african hair,and why there is a fascination with long straight hair,isn't it all lifeless protein straight or curly?

LadyDay · (#2 (**permalink**))

have you tried a google search or any natural hair websites

i will see if i can find out

BlackBrainChild · (#3 (**permalink**))

OMG, you must have been reading my mind. I was about to post something like. I truely do hate this word, it's as demeaning to me as saying the N-word. Back then it was used to demean black's God given hair texture. There's nothing proud or positive about this word, but some ignorant blacks embrace it like it's a good thing. I don't see whites calling their hair stringy.

This word really needs to disappear out of our mouth and that goes for the N-word. :P

Kunjufu · (#4 (**permalink**))

I'd also like to know where it originated from..I suspect America..am i wrong?

Saida.M · (#5 (**permalink**))

It shoudn't be seen as an 'N' word. It's purely an American term.How we use the word 'nappy'only relates to how we know it in the UK. In America it's used differentlyas their word for our nappy is 'diaphers' (sp).

BlackBrainChild · (#6 (**permalink**))

Kunjufu wrote:

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I'd also like to know where it originated from..I suspect America..am i wrong?

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I think it was. I wouldn't doubt it. I hardly hear that word from many blacks that come from outside of the south, so I think it's mostly a southern states thing.

BlackBrainChild · (#7 (**permalink**))

athaba wrote:

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It shoudn't be seen as an 'N' word. It's purely an American term.How we use the word 'nappy'only relates to how we know it in the UK. In America it's used differentlyas their word for our nappy is 'diaphers' (sp).

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I never said it should be seen as the N-word, I'm just saying it's almost as bad as saying that. That word never held a positive meaning to it.

jett Black · (#8 (**permalink**))

From Nap(noun)meaning "fuzzy,kinky",used in colloquial or derogatory reference to the hair of Black people,circa 1950.

Nappy(adjective)

Ingonyama - he is a lion! · (#9 (**permalink**))

menzzingos wrote:

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Does someone know how the word "nappy" became the word to express african hair,and why there is a fascination with long straight hair,isn't it all lifeless protein straight or curly?

Good point! why is there a fascination wit straight hair?

Kunjufu · (#10 (**permalink**))

Ingonyama - he is a lion! wrote:

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Good point! why is there a fascination wit straight hair?

[line]

I thought it was because it brought some messed up 'black' people closer to massa...

BlackBrainChild · (#11 (**permalink**))

Ingonyama - he is a lion! wrote:

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menzzingos wrote:

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Does someone know how the word "nappy" became the word to express african hair,and why there is a fascination with long straight hair,isn't it all lifeless protein straight or curly?

Good point! why is there a fascination wit straight hair?

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I wish somebody would tell me this. For the most part it's brainwashing and ignorance and people need to educate themselves more to love their hair. Although I do have relaxed hair right now, sometime this year I am thinking about transistioning from relaxed to natural because to me, black hair is beautiful and there's nothing inferior or nappy about it. Not dogging straight hair, but straight hair has it's many cons too like it gets matted easily, it gets oily easily, it gets tangled easily, so I really don't see the fascination with it myself. Black people's mentality still has more years to improve.

BlackBrainChild · (#12 (**permalink**))

When I tell people that I'm thinking about quitting relaxers and going to a natural state, they look at me like I am the devil himself. I hate that reaction, black people need a quick reality check.

Also women who are so appalled with natural hair, should really hear some of the gross effects relax hair has.

bubz · (#13 (**permalink**))

according to dictionary.com, nap is a soft or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.

nappy is fuzzy, kinky or frizzy. in small tight curls.

this is what i always thought it meant so no surprises there. i dont actually find the word offensive at all. i dont see it as derogatory,if someone tells me to get my big behind over here, i won't suddenly find the word big offensive. similarly if someone tells me to come and get my nappy hair combed out, i don't see the word nappy as being offensive.

to me very verytight curly hair is nappy hair. not meant to be offensive, just stating a fact. nappy is a word that replaces the longwinded veryverytightcurls.