- Is it ok for me to use the word "nappy" in a positive way ?

[afu]

I've never heard the world nappy used to describe hair, for me nappy would be the thing to put on a baby's bottom (nappy short for napkin) or a horse which tries to drag it's rider home!

[Tabitha]

I've never heard "nappy" to describe hair...but I think it is UK slang for diaper!

It's not slang, it's our actual word and what you would see on a packet of Pampers. Diaper is not a word we use at all.

If you say "nappy" I'm going to think you're refering to what you use for a baby.

I've never heard the world nappy used to describe hair, for me nappy would be the thing to put on a baby's bottom (nappy short for napkin) or a horse which tries to drag it's rider home!

The naughty horse reference is the only other one I know. But then I've never talked hair with anyone whose hair wasn't caucasian.

[MonaMayfair]

Well I've heard it used in an insulting way in Nicki Minaj songs...

[Correa]

If you say "nappy" I'm going to think you're refering to what you use for a baby.

Thats what I was thinking. Its interesting how one word is used to mean different things in different places.

[palaeoqueen]

I've never heard "nappy" to describe hair...but I think it is UK slang for diaper! I read the thread title and thought "what is offensive about diapers?" (other than the obvious )

Almost... our word is nappy but it's not slang, it's the actual word.

I've never heard the word "nappy" for hair either.

[Arya]

Nappy and wooly are not okay to use in English, if you're not of African descent, because they've been used derogatorily for so long. Wooly is comparing their hair to sheep's wool, which is also problematic. Kinky, or 'African Hair' is probably more correct, but you're still going to have problems with those terms. I say 'Type 4 hair', and then explain it if the person doesn't get it. In private with friends, (who understand that we don't mean it derogatorily or stereotypically) we'll sometimes refer to 3c-4a/b hair as 'Black hair' or 'African hair' but I would never say nappy or wooly hair with anyone.

Jewfro is touchy too. I don't think it's really ok to use that term if you're not Jewish. It's one of those ones I wouldn't say at all, either.

[lazuliblue]

I've never heard "nappy" to describe hair...but I think it is UK slang for diaper! I read the thread title and thought "what is offensive about diapers?" (other than the obvious )

This! ^^

In the UK, it does indeed mean something you use on a baby; it's not even slang, that is the only word we have for it!

I have no idea what nappy hair is

[Falcore]

In Australia as well nappy is what you'd put on a baby.. nappy is not said here to describe hair, that's for sure.

[LoveAngelBeauty]

Try kinky, curly, coily. I prefer the last two terms the most when people are describing my hair. I don't like nappy and don't use it unless I'm in a bad mood with my hair. So, I would definitely find it insulting if someone called my hair nappy. But, I'm also aware that many people use it and have reclaimed it positively.

Still, I don't like it. If the OP desrcibed my hair as nappy, I don't think I would be offended because I know your intent. But since you are asking, i will tell you that I don't like it. I can only speak for myself, but I find it a problematic word, so I'd just avoid using it

[Avital88]

I thought About diaper too,we call very curly hair,wild hair,sheep hair or fro,coming from à curly family,but i would stick to very curly or kinky for non relatives.or very happy hair,haha i always see curls as happy hair