ORIGIN OF THE WORD "PICNIC"

THE LIE:

the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of lynching African-Americans. The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Nigger". This is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic". ("Nic" being the white acronym for "nigger"). Scenes of this were in the movie "Rosewood". We should choose to use the word "barbecue" or "outing" instead of the word "picnic".

THE TRUTH:

Instead, the origin on the word picnic is French (piquenique) and was invented long before the atrocities towards blacks took place in America. This French word - piquenique - signifies an outing with food - similar to the word's meaning in English. At these piqueniques, the attendees would all bring food to the occasion, similar to what we call potlucks today. The outdoor concept of a picnic did not originate until the 19th century.

So, how did this word originate? We are unsure what the word pique actually means. There are two options: leisurely eating (picking) or a delicacy of food. Nique was selected since it rhymed with Pique.

Historians have found this French word in references outside of the French language as early as 1748 and into English by around 1800.