During a discussion of racism and politics on 'Real Time With Bill Maher' (Friday 10PM ET on HBO) astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson offered up a unique take on what the n-word stands for.

"(Senator) Robert Byrd, who just left us, was referring to the n-word just a few years before he died," columnist John Fund pointed out during the discussion.

"Right, absolutely," Maher agreed. "And Strom Thurmond ... "

"Nuclear?" Neil deGrasse Tyson cut in, before Maher could finish his thought.

"It's another n-word in culture, nuclear," Tyson, who is black, explained, as the crowd began to laugh.

"You invited an astrophysicist ... "