Re: Pot calling the kettle black - ethnic slur?
Posted by Paul Guthrie
on January 02, 2000
In Reply to: Pot calling the kettle black -
ethnic slur? posted by Donna Finley on January 01, 2000 at
: It's clear that "the pot calling the kettle black" refers to
criticism that could equally apply to the critic. But why is "black"
a criticism in this phrase? I am specifically wondering if this
is one of those nasty ethnic slurs that is left over from a time
when such things were more commonly spoken, or if some other interpretation
might apply. Any ideas or information? Please send an e-mail. Thanks. I thought that the 'black' in the saying referred to the soot which
accumulates on pots and kettles which are used on fire stoves. Maybe
the 'black' in this case is a criticism because it's not very nice
to have black soot marks left on the table or wherever the kettle
is placed? Just my personal interpretation, I don't have any book
references.
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