[78-L] Race observations

[fnarf at comcast.net]

From: Royal Pemberton <ampex354 at gmail.com>

> My friend explained to me that the latter was not necessarily
> considered anything to do with blackface or minstrelsy in Scotland, as
> 'mammy' there was conventional and quite acceptable lingo for someone
> referring to their own mother.

Keep in mind that in 1974 blackface minstrel troupes still (barely) operated in the United Kingdom, and you could still buy "Darkie" toothpaste with a picture of a golliwog on it (think "pickaninny" in the US). You can still buy golliwog dolls at any British seaside resort today. And any Scot claiming that "mammy" is a popular colloquialism is pulling your leg, or trying to get out of an uncomfortable moment. 

There was a vogue for '20s stuff in the seventies, which explains the Zavaroni. I'll bet she did "Ma, He's Makin' Eyes At Me" too.

-- 
Steve