To call a Spade a Spade --- clarification for those who may need it.

To "call a spade a spade" is to speak honestly and directly about a topic, specifically topics that others may avoid speaking about due to their sensitivity or embarrassing nature.

The phrase was introduced to English in 1542 in Nicolas Udall's translation of Erasmus, Apophthegmes.
The phrase predates the use of the word "spade" as an ethnic slur, which was not recorded in usage until 1928.
(Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_call_a_spade_a_spade")


It does not mean anything derogatory to a particular person but rather to speak honestly and forthrightly about something with no beating about the bush. Nor was I referring to anyone in a derogatory way on my previous post and those who assume so are only showing their own ignorance or want to put words in my mouth which simply weren't there! When I used the term in reference to gossip that's exactly what I meant let's be honest and call backbiting and being two faced gossip because that's what it is.