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Offensive term to be replaced as first step towards more changes in unprecedented reform of nomenclature rules
Archived version: https://archive.ph/ppR98
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The effect of the vote will be that all plants, fungi and algae names that contain the word caffra, which originates in insults made against Black people, will be replaced by the word affra to denote their African origins. More than 200 species will be affected, including the coast coral tree, which, from 2026, will be known as Erythrina affra instead of Erythrina caffra.
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Why is caffra insulting? I’ve never even heard the word before except in plant names.
In South Africa, we’re vaguely aware of the n-word and its meaning in American culture, but the k-word (after which this plant was named) is highly offensive.
Is the k-word (or close variant) integrated into the cultural language there in the same way the n-word is here?
I really don’t know how to answer this question. It has a major history of dehumanising people and is closely linked to apartheid. Black South Africans haven’t reclaimed the word like black Americans have - they’d mostly rather just see its use disappear altogether.
That answers my question, thank you.
In South Africa, yes. Wikipedia
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Language continues to evolve. And while I get annoyed at some of the changes, I understand it means something to others.
For example - we don’t call it a bumming a fag anymore. And honestly, the whole master-slave term in hardware was fucking weird.
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Til botanists have too much free time.
I mean when is the last time a new plant was discovered? Surely the discoveries must be dwindling by now!
