Picaninny for Dummies

Picaninny is a word that is not commonly used nowadays, but it was historically used to refer to a young child, especially a young black child. When we break down this word, we can see that it consists of two parts: "pica" and "ninny." The word "pica" refers to a type of small measurement used in printing, while "ninny" means a foolish or silly person. Now, you might be wondering how these two parts come together to form the meaning of "picaninny."

Well, imagine if we were comparing a child to a small piece of printed text. Sometimes, when a printer is setting type for a book, they might come across a small piece of text that is separate from the rest of the words. This small piece might be seen as unimportant or insignificant compared to the larger body of text. In a similar way, the word "picaninny" was used to describe a young child who was seen as small, unimportant, or not fully developed yet.

It's important to note that the term "picaninny" was often used in a derogatory or offensive manner, particularly during a time when racial prejudices were more prevalent. Fortunately, society has progressed and we now strive to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their age, race, or other characteristics.

So, in short, although "picaninny" used to mean a young child, it was a term that carried negative connotations and is now considered inappropriate and offensive. It's always important for us to choose our words carefully and treat others with kindness and respect.