[LostInBayport]

I first learned the word “thug” as a small child when the “Beagle Boys” we’re trying to steal Uncle Scrooge’s money in Donald Duck comic books,

I remember that too. And I'm pretty sure the Hardy Boys dealt with "thugs" as they solved crimes, and I'll wager a zillion detective novels and movies from the 30s and 40s to the present have the word "thug" in them.

Suddenly a bunch of people who have no understanding of the etymology a word are attempting to ban its usage. History began when they got out of bed, apparently.

[livius]

History began when they got out of bed, apparently.

LOL! Great way of putting it!

Leaving aside its historical evolution, I generally now use the word "thug" to refer to any brutal, violent criminal, generally young, committing a crime of violence against a weak or defenseless person. I suspect many people use it that way.

If most people fitting this description are black, that's something the "black community" needs to deal with - and not by attacking the use of the word "thug."