The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #134055 Message #3046777
Posted By: Little Hawk
05-Dec-10 - 06:36 AM
Thread Name: BS: Potentially Offensive Dict Definitions
Subject: RE: BS: Potentially Offensive Dict Definitions
I don't see what harm there is in a very thorough dictionary taking note of all the colloguial meanings of a given word, even if some of them are deeemed offensive by various people. The publishers of the dictionary, after all, aren't saying they're in favor of every colloquial meaning or usage of the word. They're just noting that a given colloquial usage of it has occurred.
You do not endorse a thing by recognizing its existence.
Similarly, you do not endorse Naziism by building a model kit of a WWII German airplane and correctly placing the historical swastika insignia on the tail of that plane. You are simply creating an accurate replica. Period. It's not a political statement, and shouldn't be taken as such, it's simply a visually accurate recreation of a German military vehicle of that time, and the darned thing isn't accurate if it doesn't have the swastika on the tail, and if you're a collector or hobbyist...you know that.
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There's a use of the word "Dutch" which implies stinginess...as in the common expression "Dutch treat". I haven't heard anyone getting too worried about that one, perhaps because there isn't any big political brouhaha going right now in our popular culture about the Dutch... ;-) They aren't seen as victims. Neither are blondes, apparently, and that's why blonde jokes were so much in vogue for a few years there until everyone finally got sick of them (the jokes, I mean).