Axe

Common stereotype of black vernacular is the pronunciation of the word "ask" as "axe."

"Axe" traces back to the 8th century. The pronunciation derives from the Old English verb "acsian." At the time, the word appeared in two forms, "ascian" and "acsian." By the 10th century, the latter became "axsian," which was shortened to "ax" (or "axe"). It wasn't until the 17th century that "ask" became commonplace, eventually replacing "axe" in literary works. Nonetheless, the pronunciation "axe" remained in dialects across the Caribbean and the American South (including some sections of England). Such usage was not dependent on race or class. Although its written form fell out of usage in the 17th century, the dialectic use of "axe" has survived into the 21st century.

Unfortunately, usage of "axe" has become a lightning rod for racist diatribes against African Americans, often attributing its dialectic usage as a sign of being uncultivated and uncultured. References to "axe" being "ghetto" is nothing more than etymological ignorance, respectability politics and outright racism.

1. "Axe and it shal be giuen you"
2. "Hello sir, may I axe you for directions to the nearest gas station?"

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respectability politics

Refers to attempts by marginalized groups to police their own members and show their social values as being continuous and compatible with mainstream values rather than challenging the mainstream for its failure to accept difference.

Person 1: If black people get an education, pull up their pants, and stop committing crimes, then they will never have to worry about negative encounters with the police.

Person 2: Please can that respectability politics mess. James Blake went to Harvard, was a star athlete, and never committed a crime, but that didn't prevent an officer in the NYPD from tackling and body slamming him to the ground.

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