Oh wow, how did I miss this thread?!? First off, let's stop insulting my Dad (named Dick)(and it gets worse; his last name is Ball..)(no, I'm not joking, it really is...)

Next, "cracker". The term is a shortening of "whip cracker", as in the slave boss. Tell that to anyone who tries to use it to insult you. They'll probably never use it again! I never understood it either, until I was informed by a black colleague. And although I've worked with mostly black folks for more than 25 years, I don't recall ever hearing it. Maybe it has to do with the area, I don't know. :0)