During the times of slavery and even sometimes after that the word picnic was referred to as "pick a N*****". White people (not all) would have gatherings or "picnics" where they would pick random African American males and lynch them for their entertainment. While their families sometimes had to watch. They would usually only hang males because they knew African American men would lay down their lives to protect their families and as long as they were alive whites couldn't have total power over African Americans. Whites, (not all) where also fearful of strong black men and did everything they could to try and keep them beneath them that was the purpose of the lynching.
Note: Actually, all the research I've performed says that the word picnic is derived from the French word piquenique, which you can look up on this website - or just Google it. Unfortunately (and unimaginably) there were those that often celebrated lynchings by having a simultaneous event, much like a picnic. Although heinous, it does not mean that the word picnic derived from these horrific events.If someone has documented proof of the use of this word being associated with lynchings, please add to this answer. It would help provide validity to the original answer, since it is currently contradicted by much of the information available on the internet.
ANSWERI call BS on the first answer--cite your sources.The correct answer is Yes and No. It is correct that the word originated in France pronounced and spelled Pic-nique, you can see it in any dictionary it's there. During slavery, it was used as a gathering for lynching and it wasn't just men that where lynched. It was polysemated and given this designation facetiously. MY Grandmother, who was also a slave, explained this to me my source is sited as -Mattie Christiansen.
They had a romantic picnic on the top of the hill. The picnic area was infested with ants, birds and the occassional bear.
No, picnic is a noun (a picnic) and a verb (to picnic).
The rain dampened our plans for an outdoor picnic.
No, the word 'picnic' is a noun and a verb.The noun 'picnic' is a word for an outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to be eaten outdoors; for example:We had a picnic today.The verb 'picnic' is to have or take part in a picnic; for example:We picnic at the park south of town.A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence; for example:We had a picnic today. It was a lot of fun.
She would enjoy a picnic.She'd enjoy a picnic.
The word 'picnic' is both a noun (picnic, picnics) and a verb (picnic, picnics, picnicking, picnicked).The noun picnic is a word for an outing that includes food packaged to be eaten outdoors:A picnic in the park sounds very nice on a day like today.The verb to picnic is to take an outing that includes food to be eaten outdoors:We can watch the geese in the pond while we picnic by the lake.
The word 'picnic' is both a noun (picnic, picnics) and a verb (picnic, picnics, picnicking, picnicked).The noun picnic is a word for an outing that includes food packaged to be eaten outdoors:A picnic in the park sounds very nice on a day like today.The verb to picnic is to take an outing that includes food to be eaten outdoors:We can watch the geese in the pond while we picnic by the lake.
No, the word "picnic" is not directly associated with slavery. Its origins can be traced back to the French word "pique-nique," which refers to a social gathering where each participant brings a share of the food. However, historical context may vary depending on the specific event or location.
Picnic, by William Inge.
The teachers planned a potpourri of events for the annual school picnic.
Yes, the word 'picnic' is both a noun (picnic, picnics) and a verb (picnic, picnics, picnicking, picnicked).Examples:The picnic was held at a beautiful park. (noun)We like to picnic on sunny days. (verb)
We shall picnic in the park on Sunday.