The phrase "call a spade a spade" is a figurative expression that means to speak truthfully and directly about something, without beating around the bush or using euphemisms. It implies that the speaker should call a noun by its most suitable name without any reservation to the strained formalities that may result. The phrase has been used by famous authors such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it is believed to have entered the English language when Nicholas Udall translated Erasmus in 1542. The term "spade" in the phrase refers to the gardening tool, not a derogatory term for a black person. However, the term "spade" has been used as a derogatory term for a black person since 1928, which is unrelated to the phrase. Some people may find the phrase offensive due to its association with the derogatory term, but it is generally considered a harmless idiom.