It's a sad state of affairs when people can be offended by mere words instead of taking the time to look inward and realize that the sum of all ones experiences and behaviors amount to much more.
Yes, go tell your grandmother she's a cunt. After all, it shouldn't hurt her if she's enlightened.
It's a sad state of affairs when people can be offended by mere words instead of taking the time to look inward and realize that the sum of all ones experiences and behaviors amount to much more.
Yes, go tell your grandmother she's a cunt. After all, it shouldn't hurt her if she's enlightened.
Just substitute any other word for a group of people instead of gay.
"That's so ____"
jewish
christian
white
black
republican
democrat
redheaded
left-handed
etc...
If you can substitute something like that, say the phrase the same way in front of that same group of people and not feel uncomfortable, go right ahead and keep on saying "That's so gay".
But most people wouldn't be comfortable doing that, because its insulting.
Actually, I get ragged on all the time for being white, even by other white people. Should I start an ad campaign.
As for the campaign in question, I'll support it if they get better commercials. I don't like the use of someone outside the circle correcting them. No matter what language I am using, if a stranger tries to correct me, I am going to tell them to fuck off. The "knock it off" at the end is annoying too.
Cliff on
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FencingsaxIt is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understandingGNU Terry PratchettRegistered Userregular
I like y'all and I don't like they as singular. And as I already answered, yes, your example of they sounds weird to me.
Which is fine, I'm not going to force you to use it. We all have peculiar patterns of speech. But that doesn't make it ungrammatical, and it doesn't make "he" ungendered.
You wanna get interesting, "Sam left the room, didn't they?" sounds the most unnatural of all. Work that one out.
It's a sad state of affairs when people can be offended by mere words instead of taking the time to look inward and realize that the sum of all ones experiences and behaviors amount to much more.
Yes, go tell your grandmother she's a cunt. After all, it shouldn't hurt her if she's enlightened.
But she's not, she's just old.
Oh. Well.
Maybe it's for the best that you just respect her enough not to do that, then.
Edit: Also, Cliff: yes, you should say that being made fun of for being white upsets you, if it does.
I think that is so gay.
No but seriously. I don't think it's lazy or derogatory. For all arguments sake the word "gay" in the context we are speaking of has no correlation to the context of sexuality. I believe it has just become another word in today's society. People need to grow some thicker skin, because I have a feeling it isn't going anywhere any time soon.
What is so hard to understand about this? How can the word possibly have no correlation to sexuality? It means homosexual, and people use it because they view homosexuality as a bad thing. And for the last time, even if they don't, it's still like using the n-word and then getting all huffy when a black person gets offended because you 'didn't mean it like that.'
What you mean is irrelevant when you are using it as a negative word.
So if I don't view homosexuality as a bad thing, and I use the word 'gay' to express my thoughts on something that is dumb I'm still wrong? I just don't think that this word has that much power. I truly believe that it is the context that decides the intent of the word. Does anyone get mad when musicals from the 40's use the word gay to express happiness? Does anyone get mad, and in a huff when an Englishmen calls a cigarette a fag? No, because they know that the context of the word isn't malicious in its intent.
But ... both of those examples you gave involve the proper application of the word in relation to its original meaning.
What Eddy is talking about in those instances when you use the word as a general pejorative, in the slangy "that's so gay" construction. The only way you can tease out a meaning from that to mean "that's so [bad]" is in relation to the societal prejudice against homosexuality. It has no other relation to generalized negativity, and as such using it like that can be very offensive.
It's like Eddy's example with the N-word. Simply because a white person has decided that they're not a racist doesn't mean they can suddenly run around with that word falling off their lips and act surprised when people tell them to knock it off.
The english language does evolve though. I think that is true with this word especially. Couldn't it be true that the word has evolved from a societal prejudice to a term for something that IS stupid, or dumb?
I think that is so gay.
No but seriously. I don't think it's lazy or derogatory. For all arguments sake the word "gay" in the context we are speaking of has no correlation to the context of sexuality. I believe it has just become another word in today's society. People need to grow some thicker skin, because I have a feeling it isn't going anywhere any time soon.
What is so hard to understand about this? How can the word possibly have no correlation to sexuality? It means homosexual, and people use it because they view homosexuality as a bad thing. And for the last time, even if they don't, it's still like using the n-word and then getting all huffy when a black person gets offended because you 'didn't mean it like that.'
What you mean is irrelevant when you are using it as a negative word.
So if I don't view homosexuality as a bad thing, and I use the word 'gay' to express my thoughts on something that is dumb I'm still wrong? I just don't think that this word has that much power. I truly believe that it is the context that decides the intent of the word. Does anyone get mad when musicals from the 40's use the word gay to express happiness? Does anyone get mad, and in a huff when an Englishmen calls a cigarette a fag? No, because they know that the context of the word isn't malicious in its intent.
But ... both of those examples you gave involve the proper application of the word in relation to its original meaning.
What Eddy is talking about in those instances when you use the word as a general pejorative, in the slangy "that's so gay" construction. The only way you can tease out a meaning from that to mean "that's so [bad]" is in relation to the societal prejudice against homosexuality. It has no other relation to generalized negativity, and as such using it like that can be very offensive.
It's like Eddy's example with the N-word. Simply because a white person has decided that they're not a racist doesn't mean they can suddenly run around with that word falling off their lips and act surprised when people tell them to knock it off.
The english language does evolve though. I think that is true with this word especially. Couldn't it be true that the word has evolved from a societal prejudice to a term for something that IS stupid, or dumb?
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
Hey, good point. Go start calling dumb people "Goddamn slopes" or "Fucking polacks". I mean, eventually those words will cease to mean "derogatory word for people of a given ethnicity" and start to just mean plain "dumb".
In the meantime I'm sure it won't make anyone feel like shit or anything.
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
Hey, good point. Go start calling dumb people "Goddamn slopes" or "Fucking polacks". I mean, eventually those words will cease to mean "derogatory word for people of a given ethnicity" and start to just mean plain "dumb".
In the meantime I'm sure it won't make anyone feel like shit or anything.
That's so slope.
And wait, do you mean Dumb as in "Cannot talk", or as in "dumb"? Because that's pretty derogatory to people who can't talk.
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
Hey, good point. Go start calling dumb people "Goddamn slopes" or "Fucking polacks". I mean, eventually those words will cease to mean "derogatory word for people of a given ethnicity" and start to just mean plain "dumb".
In the meantime I'm sure it won't make anyone feel like shit or anything.
That's so slope.
And wait, do you mean Dumb as in "Cannot talk", or as in "dumb"? Because that's pretty derogatory to people who can't talk.
Go tell your grandmother she's a cunt. If you do it enough, eventually she'll get that you just mean "cool lady".
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
Hey, good point. Go start calling dumb people "Goddamn slopes" or "Fucking polacks". I mean, eventually those words will cease to mean "derogatory word for people of a given ethnicity" and start to just mean plain "dumb".
In the meantime I'm sure it won't make anyone feel like shit or anything.
That's so slope.
And wait, do you mean Dumb as in "Cannot talk", or as in "dumb"? Because that's pretty derogatory to people who can't talk.
Go tell your grandmother she's a cunt. If you do it enough, eventually she'll get that you just mean "cool lady".
Generational evolution of a word's meaning isn't the same as just yelling cunt at someone. It's something that takes time as the society that uses it starts to find it less powerful. Have you noticed how ass, bitch, and other words are casually thrown about on broadcast TV? It took time, but they're losing they're strength. Maybe two generations from now, our grandkids will look back and think those were terrible, corny words.
Also, please tell me why you need to use dumb. Why are you just casually slinging it around?
Generational evolution of a word's meaning isn't the same as just yelling cunt at someone. It's something that takes time as the society that uses it starts to find it less powerful. Have you noticed how ass, bitch, and other words are casually thrown about on broadcast TV? It took time, but they're losing they're strength. Maybe two generations from now, our grandkids will look back and think those were terrible, corny words.
Generational evolution of a word's meaning isn't the same as just yelling cunt at someone. It's something that takes time as the society that uses it starts to find it less powerful. Have you noticed how ass, bitch, and other words are casually thrown about on broadcast TV? It took time, but they're losing they're strength. Maybe two generations from now, our grandkids will look back and think those were terrible, corny words.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Semprini, however, will still retain it's shock value.
MuddBudd on
There's no plan, there's no race to be run
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
Generational evolution of a word's meaning isn't the same as just yelling cunt at someone. It's something that takes time as the society that uses it starts to find it less powerful. Have you noticed how ass, bitch, and other words are casually thrown about on broadcast TV? It took time, but they're losing they're strength. Maybe two generations from now, our grandkids will look back and think those were terrible, corny words.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Semprini, however, will still retain it's shock value.
Just look at words like "dork." I once got into a real uncomfortable situation with an older lady who came from a time when dork meant what cock means to us.
Exactly. Look at lame, gimp, spaz (although, it's still taboo in the UK). Idiot used to refer to severe retardation. Hell, retard used to mean it too. We keep making up new words to replace the ones that lost the impact they used to have, and those lost words get flung around like nothing.
It's what happens. We move on from stuff in society when it gets old, and language is no different.
On another note, I looked into the Ad Council's fact that 80,000 webpages used the phrase "that's so gay". I put that in Google, and it's only 52,800. Remove the quotes, and that's 619,000 results. Most of the pages I saw were just detailing the campaign too. If anything, this campaign is spreading the use of "That's so gay".
Also, I'm loving the list on their site of what words actually mean. Bad: "Sometimes it actualy means good!" Fag: "To be tired from work." They also list Beard, which I've never heard used as derogatory. I'm not liking this ad campaign.
Cymoro on
i am perpetual, i make the country clean
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MrMisterJesus dying on the cross in pain? Morally better than us. One has to go "all in".Registered Userregular
edited October 2008
But it's still common courtesy to respect other people's linguistic conventions. For instance, not saying 'dork' around an old lady who has made it clear to you that it means 'cock' to her. Or using 'gay' as a pejorative around people who take it as an insult to gay people.
The problem is that with 'gay' it's pretty impossible to know who you'll offend.
But it's still common courtesy to respect other people's linguistic conventions. For instance, not saying 'dork' around an old lady who has made it clear to you that it means 'cock' to her. Or using 'gay' as a pejorative around people who take it as an insult to gay people.
The problem is that with 'gay' it's pretty impossible to know who you'll offend.
Oh, by the way, everyone should avoid using the word "dumb" too. The word "dumb" describes someone who cannot speak and using it as a negative word is offensive to those people who cannot speak.
Oh, by the way, everyone should avoid using the word "dumb" too. The word "dumb" describes someone who cannot speak and using it as a negative word is offensive to those people who cannot speak.
Hahaha, I just rewatched one of the ads, and they use dumb. Way to only pick one thing to harp on.
I don't think that kids saying "that's so gay" in a derogatory manner is anything but horrible, but I'm not sure an ad campaign on the subject is the best use of limited resources.
I think its fucking ridiculous how much money religious zelots are throwing away to try and "save marriage". I will fucking throw that in their face anytime they get holier then thou about donating money to a charity.
I wish no one felt they had to spend money to fight against that kind of brainwashing, that we could use that money for something else, I can only assume advertising works better then I give it credit for.
Dman on
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MrMisterJesus dying on the cross in pain? Morally better than us. One has to go "all in".Registered Userregular
Oh, by the way, everyone should avoid using the word "dumb" too. The word "dumb" describes someone who cannot speak and using it as a negative word is offensive to those people who cannot speak.
You changed my mind--this point, which I had never heard before a thousand times in this thread has rocked my world.
Oh, by the way, everyone should avoid using the word "dumb" too. The word "dumb" describes someone who cannot speak and using it as a negative word is offensive to those people who cannot speak.
You changed my mind--this point, which I had never heard before a thousand times in this thread has rocked my world.
Huh. So, this sounds like sarcasm. However, I don't recall seeing this point mentioned before in this thread. Just to be safe, I double checked and didn't find anything about this. So, seeing as how it was in fact not mentioned a thousand times in this thread, or any for that matter, you must be sincere. So, I'm glad my point rocked your world.
Premier kakos on
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MrMisterJesus dying on the cross in pain? Morally better than us. One has to go "all in".Registered Userregular
For the record, you should no longer use the term "sinister" as a negative adjective as well, because left handed people don't deserve to be treated like that.
This was you last page. Saying the same thing. It appears to be your perennial contribution.
For the record, you should no longer use the term "sinister" as a negative adjective as well, because left handed people don't deserve to be treated like that.
This was you last page. Saying the same thing. It appears to be your perennial contribution.
Technically, I was not saying the same thing. That post was about the word "sinister" and not "dumb".
But yeah. I plan on posting one of these a day to show how fucking often a pejorative evolves to lose all connection with its original sense and just becomes a general negative word. Because frankly, this thread and the concepts contained within are dumb, retarded, lame, and gay, but I'm not sure they qualify as sinister though.
For the record, you should no longer use the term "sinister" as a negative adjective as well, because left handed people don't deserve to be treated like that.
This was you last page. Saying the same thing. It appears to be your perennial contribution.
Technically, I was not saying the same thing. That post was about the word "sinister" and not "dumb".
But yeah. I plan on posting one of these a day to show how fucking often a pejorative evolves to lose all connection with its original sense and just becomes a general negative word. Because frankly, this thread and the concepts contained within are dumb, retarded, lame, and gay, but I'm not sure they qualify as sinister though.
Well, BRB, I'm going to smoke a fag.
PS: This thread is Jewish.
What are you, 12?
Those of us with brains get semantic drift, cheers.
There's just a minor issue with the meaning of words at the moment.
Or can't you think of any words that you would mind being called?
Nothing? At all?
Because those words will change in the future too.
Like cuntrag. That will change and lose all meaning.
The difference between "gay" and a bunch of other words is that people who use gay in a derogatory fashion have a very clear understanding of it's double meaning, and if you turn it around on them they get pretty offended by it.
Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
it was the smallest on the list but
Pluto was a planet and I'll never forget
I think it is far more effective for a person to get over a word or phrase then impose their belief on everyone else. Otherwise we (the US) set a precedent for one hell of a slippery slope.
Actually, we already have.
Honestly, stopping a word or phrase from circulation won't make you feel any better when you hear it again. Just own it and rise above.
The difference between "gay" and a bunch of other words is that people who use gay in a derogatory fashion have a very clear understanding of it's double meaning, and if you turn it around on them they get pretty offended by it.
See, that's where I think a lot of disagreement comes in. I think at this point, the word "gay" has two separate meanings. The first indicates a homosexual person, the second means "stupid". I don't think, at this point, they are connected.
The difference between "gay" and a bunch of other words is that people who use gay in a derogatory fashion have a very clear understanding of it's double meaning, and if you turn it around on them they get pretty offended by it.
No, if you turn it around on them they probably wouldn't give two shits and continue on with their conversation. If anything, you come out looking like a social spaz.
Person 1: "Did you hear that the Mets lost the game last night? That's pretty gay."
Person 2: "Yeah, I think it was pretty PERSON 1 too!"
It's awkward when you turn it around, like you're trying to win some semantics debate that no one cares about.
Posts
But she's not, she's just old.
Actually, I get ragged on all the time for being white, even by other white people. Should I start an ad campaign.
As for the campaign in question, I'll support it if they get better commercials. I don't like the use of someone outside the circle correcting them. No matter what language I am using, if a stranger tries to correct me, I am going to tell them to fuck off. The "knock it off" at the end is annoying too.
Seriously though, I like the intention.
Which is fine, I'm not going to force you to use it. We all have peculiar patterns of speech. But that doesn't make it ungrammatical, and it doesn't make "he" ungendered.
You wanna get interesting, "Sam left the room, didn't they?" sounds the most unnatural of all. Work that one out.
Oh. Well.
Maybe it's for the best that you just respect her enough not to do that, then.
Edit: Also, Cliff: yes, you should say that being made fun of for being white upsets you, if it does.
Uh-oh I accidentally deleted my signature. Uh-oh!!
The english language does evolve though. I think that is true with this word especially. Couldn't it be true that the word has evolved from a societal prejudice to a term for something that IS stupid, or dumb?
It's already evolved to societal prejudice from a happy feeling. I could see that.
In the meantime I'm sure it won't make anyone feel like shit or anything.
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
That's so slope.
And wait, do you mean Dumb as in "Cannot talk", or as in "dumb"? Because that's pretty derogatory to people who can't talk.
Generational evolution of a word's meaning isn't the same as just yelling cunt at someone. It's something that takes time as the society that uses it starts to find it less powerful. Have you noticed how ass, bitch, and other words are casually thrown about on broadcast TV? It took time, but they're losing they're strength. Maybe two generations from now, our grandkids will look back and think those were terrible, corny words.
Also, please tell me why you need to use dumb. Why are you just casually slinging it around?
I couldn't agree with you more.
Semprini, however, will still retain it's shock value.
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
Dude, you use the same aftershave?
It's what happens. We move on from stuff in society when it gets old, and language is no different.
On another note, I looked into the Ad Council's fact that 80,000 webpages used the phrase "that's so gay". I put that in Google, and it's only 52,800. Remove the quotes, and that's 619,000 results. Most of the pages I saw were just detailing the campaign too. If anything, this campaign is spreading the use of "That's so gay".
Also, I'm loving the list on their site of what words actually mean. Bad: "Sometimes it actualy means good!" Fag: "To be tired from work." They also list Beard, which I've never heard used as derogatory. I'm not liking this ad campaign.
The problem is that with 'gay' it's pretty impossible to know who you'll offend.
See also...
Hahaha, I just rewatched one of the ads, and they use dumb. Way to only pick one thing to harp on.
I think its fucking ridiculous how much money religious zelots are throwing away to try and "save marriage". I will fucking throw that in their face anytime they get holier then thou about donating money to a charity.
I wish no one felt they had to spend money to fight against that kind of brainwashing, that we could use that money for something else, I can only assume advertising works better then I give it credit for.
You changed my mind--this point, which I had never heard before a thousand times in this thread has rocked my world.
Huh. So, this sounds like sarcasm. However, I don't recall seeing this point mentioned before in this thread. Just to be safe, I double checked and didn't find anything about this. So, seeing as how it was in fact not mentioned a thousand times in this thread, or any for that matter, you must be sincere. So, I'm glad my point rocked your world.
This was you last page. Saying the same thing. It appears to be your perennial contribution.
Technically, I was not saying the same thing. That post was about the word "sinister" and not "dumb".
But yeah. I plan on posting one of these a day to show how fucking often a pejorative evolves to lose all connection with its original sense and just becomes a general negative word. Because frankly, this thread and the concepts contained within are dumb, retarded, lame, and gay, but I'm not sure they qualify as sinister though.
Well, BRB, I'm going to smoke a fag.
PS: This thread is Jewish.
What are you, 12?
Those of us with brains get semantic drift, cheers.
There's just a minor issue with the meaning of words at the moment.
Or can't you think of any words that you would mind being called?
Nothing? At all?
Because those words will change in the future too.
Like cuntrag. That will change and lose all meaning.
Rapist also.
Rapist cuntrag moron.
Also will become meaningless as the years pass.
Pluto was a planet and I'll never forget
I think it is far more effective for a person to get over a word or phrase then impose their belief on everyone else. Otherwise we (the US) set a precedent for one hell of a slippery slope.
Actually, we already have.
Honestly, stopping a word or phrase from circulation won't make you feel any better when you hear it again. Just own it and rise above.
Nobody's suggested censorship.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
See, that's where I think a lot of disagreement comes in. I think at this point, the word "gay" has two separate meanings. The first indicates a homosexual person, the second means "stupid". I don't think, at this point, they are connected.
Also, the BBC agrees: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article671972.ece
They're not making the word illegal, but would you not call this an act of some kind of censorship?
If calling you an insensitive jerk is equivalent to LIBRUL FASCISM, well gosh -- I must be like the head of the Secret Police!
No, if you turn it around on them they probably wouldn't give two shits and continue on with their conversation. If anything, you come out looking like a social spaz.
Person 1: "Did you hear that the Mets lost the game last night? That's pretty gay."
Person 2: "Yeah, I think it was pretty PERSON 1 too!"
It's awkward when you turn it around, like you're trying to win some semantics debate that no one cares about.
Saying "don't be a dick" is censorship?