"Ethnic".. and other complicated words

Davo recently bought me the book Semantic Antics: How and why words change meaning, which is structured like a dictionary of sorts, allowing you to read the history of how specific words have changed over the years.  For example, the entry for the word "wierd" is found under "W" and reads as if you were looking into the pages of a dictionary, except you instead find the word's definitions from 1400, 1605, and 1816; and they're all different.


Of course, I love it.

 Soon after receiving this book, my friends and I got into a discussion about the word "ethnic."  I used it casually in conversation, and was alerted of my friend's sensitivity to the word.  In my mind, I thought, "'ethnic' just refers to unique groups of people. Yes, sure, some people have misused it ((see: ethnic cleansing)) but the word in itself isn't hurtful/hateful/ignorant..." And, so, I assumed I'd be able to look to my new book to find the history of the word and how it changed.  "Ethnic", however, is not in my fabulous new book; boo.    This word has been on my brain all week, so, naturally, I looked up a few ideas/opinions on the subject. 

I found an article, written in 1975 by Vladimir Menart, Deputy Chairman of the New South Wales Ethnic Communities’ Council in which he states:

The meaning of a word depends on its usage.The Greeks who originated the word "Ethnic" still use it in the sense in which other Continental Europeans use the word "National". In this sense of the word everyone is an "Ethnic"... I believe that in this sense "Ethnic" should be defined by us as meaning peoples, communities and activities having a separate and particular language culture background.

(((((((((((((This was MY definition of the word, just stated much more gracefully)))))))))))))))))

The other school of thought could perhaps prefer to define "Ethnic" as applying only to minorities consistent with the American usage of the word ... 

...Having in mind all the pros and cons I am inclined to think that the word "Ethnic" should be defined in the sense nearest to the original Greek usage of the word. If the minority aspect is to be stressed the word "Minority" can be added to "Ethnic". But whatever we do let us make the definition short and to the point. Long definitions mean more words and more words mean more problems.

Thank you, Mr. Menart, for being so articulate and giving me warm fuzzies. 

However, I believe his statement, "the meaning of a word depends on its usage" can be taken two ways:

I can defend my use of hateful words because my intention is not hateful.

OR

Words that are historically or generally used hatefully should be accepted as hateful and not used lightly.

I think we need to keep both meanings in mind, but, as many of you know, I tend to agree with the latter of the two.

I don't mean everyone should stop using all words that may be taken the wrong way.

I simply mean we should think before we speak, and we should think about who we're talking to when we do speak. 

...and, if you just don't care about offending people, do what you want; just don't be surprised when certain people seem to not want to talk to you.

Please please please, to any of you reading this, if I EVER say something to offend you, let me know.  Speak up.  Information is the key to healthy, respectful communication.

 Love love love to all, even those of you whose language I sometimes find hard to hear :)

PS: Kim Kardashian got married, and then got a divorce. Can someone remind me why I should care?

PPS: I'm confused by Herman Cain.  Can someone explain Herman Cain to me?

PPPS: If you love bluegrass and/or Yo Yo Ma, PLEASE check out the Goat Rodeo Sessions. AMAZE.

*****My friend Ronak and Rachelle, who started this whole "ethnic" discussion, just sent me to this article regarding ethnic food... an issue I meant to touch on, but didn't. Read on. It's a good one: ******
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203476804576616682225637832.html