BS: offensive words

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 06:08 AM

What do you mean when you say " look for offense"?? I don't know anyone who has to go looking for something that is offensive. We are becoming less and less civilized and the vocabulary of too many people consists of four letter words. There was a time when people gave up that kind of language as they grew up.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 09:57 PM

A good friend took Oxycontin for a long time.

He became an oxymoron!

Art

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 05:25 PM

Personally I find all this modern crap about not using certain words because they might cause offence to someone is a load of bollocks. Yes, on the one hand I don't wish to cause anyone any offence. I wish to treat people as I would wish to be treat. And yet, WHY does everyone look for offence thse days? Often where none is intended?
Lighten up you fuckers!!!

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:56 PM

Throw the trainers overboard, Cap'n. Keep the pearls.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:17 PM

I never wear pearls, they just clash with my trainers.

I'm not yet old enough to resent being called any of those names. You see, in my mind I am not an old man I'm a young man with some very serious problems.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 12:33 PM

Uncle DaveO: "I find myself agreeing with my mother, who said, "Call me old; call me aged; even call me over the hill. But don't call me a senior citizen!"

Ah, yes another one of those insipid 'politically correct' terms. They just want to make you puke!

I have a friend who insists that he is an 'old curmudgeon'.....and he is too!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 12:19 PM

"That word in print has no where near the power of it when spoken in public."

It's used almost as a form of greeting, here in Torquay...except you have to say it with a Sarf London accent, innit, know wot I mean, like, fuck, sniff, spit, burp, belch, no apology, fuck, scratch yer private parts....

Ah, for the Good Ol' Days, eh?

The *best* way to use 'Fuck' is with a *very* posh accent and a sweet smile. If you say it when you have your pearls on, even *better*! Although I appreciate you in pearls may have a somewhat different effect to me, Kendall..

;0)

I like Peace's 'FOOK!' best...and his PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT! still has a long way to go to be matched..

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 10:56 AM

One of the first of the lists given above prohibits "geezer" and "coot" and maybe some others, for aged persons.

I find myself agreeing with my mother, who said, "Call me old; call me aged; even call me over the hill. But don't call me a senior citizen!"

Okay, I am senior, I guess, at 79. And I am certainly a citizen. But to put those two words together as one descriptor implies that my citizenship is in some way different from that of other citizens. That's wrong, whether it implies greater or lesser privileges, duties, dignity, or status.

So call me old or aged if you like; call me an old geezer, an old coot (and yes, "over the hill" if you think that's true); but don't call me a senior citizen!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 09:43 AM

That is a fairly recent view tho, Kendall. When the late Ken Tynan said it on British tv following the shock caused by its appearance in print following the 'Lady Chatterley' trial & subsequent more widespread usage, it had quite an impact.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 07:13 AM

That word in print has no where near the power of it when spoken in public.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 05:37 AM

I find myself going "Fuck!" more and more these days.

Sign of the times..


G20? Fuck *them*!
Internet Kill Switch? Fuck that!
Afghanistan? What the Fuck is that about?
Corporate Bastards? Fuck 'em all!
Raoul Moat? Fuck him and all those who support him!



There are now so many things on this planet to which we should ALL have said "FUCK THAT!" a very long time ago...and who knows, maybe if we'd then acted upon the 'Fucks! back then, the world would NOT be in the state it's in now.

If 'Fuck That!' gets rid of apathy then that's a good thing, because sod me, we're are all in Deep Shit at the moment, planetary and spiritually wise.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 04:56 AM

I said, I prefer the scalpel, but I have used the broad axe on some who were to numb to know they were being eviscerated.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:19 AM

Bravo! MtheGM

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 01:04 AM

Depends what for, Kendall: scalpels are better for surgery, but try cutting down a tree with one! Likewise, what words should be used will depend on the situation, the level of comprehension that may be expected of the addressee, &c ~~ no?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 04:39 PM

Right , Don. I also prefer the scalpel to the broad axe

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 12:19 PM

I plan who I wish to offend and choose my English accordingly.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 10:22 AM

"Depends who your God is."

And, also, possibly what religeon "he/she/it" is at that point in time.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 09:37 AM

kendall: "Depends who your God is."

...and how, and why we pray.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 08:58 AM

Offensive words for people according to nationality or ethnicity

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus/british/gringo/gringo_4/Offensive-words-for-people-according-to-nationality-or-ethn


I never heard of many of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_names_for_the_British


Yet, another personal list (lemon" – offensive to people who drive old cars?)

Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=248477449&blogId=418190272#ixzz0ubWGnkfq
:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=248477449&blogId=418190272

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 08:51 AM

On the British bad words:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12801465/Reading-Comprehension-BAD-WORDS-in-English

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 08:29 AM

Prick is now an ok to use in Australia
http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/05/04/pri-less-offensive-than-other-words-australian-court-21884/

An odd list of words:
http://www.robroy8.com/Jokes/Offensive_Words.htm

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 10:27 PM

Depends who your God is.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 07:58 PM

Ed T: "Can one now take the name of the lord in vain?"

Most of the time it's done in churches, and in vain prayers!!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 06:04 PM

Can one now take the name of the lord in vain?

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 04:42 PM

Profanity is the effort of a feeble mind to express itself.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: mauvepink
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 02:07 PM

There are certainly lines that can be drawn around the use of foul language in my opinion. You can read every chapter in all of Jane Austen's novels and not come across one swear word. One could never argue that points have not been made in her writings that are downright insults delivered with manners and that kind of 'intelligent' argument/slight/insult has its appeals. But, as in Jane Austen's novels, were such language used and invoked these days there would be many that would not have a clue they were being insulted.

The use of swear words and foul language is not new and neither is it clever. They increasingly seem to be used as a short cut toward verbal aggession where outright aggression cannot be used in many cases. There is no doubt, in my experience, that swearing now is much more commonplace than it used to be and has become almost acceptable without thought in many places.

I am no innocent. I am guilty of having 'lost it' and sworn in public. For me, when I feel I have to resort to swearing to make my point, I feel I have already lost the argument and I chide myself to hold my tongue. On the occasions I have sworn publicly I have felt a loss of pride and dignity... almost a loss of control to a lesser degree. To me I have no excuse for swearing at someone to make my point. Of course, what I find foul and offensive does not mean that others will. Each seem to have their own level of what they feel is correct and acceptable.

I hear women swear now every day of my life. That was not always the case. I never ever heard a foul word issue from my Father or Mother's tongue (at least in front of us as children and as a family). If they ever did to each other I never heard it EVER. Now you hear children using horrid language so matter of factly. They ultimately get that from the adults around them.

Am I being prudish? I hope not. But I am being nostalgic. I wish the time could return to when language was gentlemanly and ladylike. I think we had such a richer language then than we do now. People still had arguments and still passed insults. But they did it with manners in mind and a personal conviction as to how they themselves were being perceived.

In public, too, bad language scares me. It is often used so aggressively and I start to fear what is about to escalate (as all to often it does). Does anyone else ever feel like that?

Just some opinions

mp

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 01:28 PM

If you mean not using the "F" word or the "C" word in public is a problem to you and is considered PC, then one of us has a problem.

You can say pretty much whatever you choose here except personal attacks.They are apt to be deleted, and most of us wouldn't have it any other way.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 08:29 PM

Hey, knock yourself out. I'd rather have an intelligent conversation with wit, and insights, than listen to two politically correct tacticians!.... however, I myself do employ tact...but the 'PC' thing is absolutely nauseating!

There are folks on here, that probably have no idea, how polite I've been...by what I've held back in saying!

...then again, composing music in the studio has far greater reward, than burrowing my way through people's politically minded blockages!

Its not a matter of taste, but perception deficit disorder!-GfS

Anyway, have a great evening!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 07:25 PM

Guest, old Maine saying: Tact is only noticed when it's missing.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 01:58 PM

The only people who seem to use the term "politically correct" in my recent experience are generally slagging off the concept that it is better not to use language that insults or puts down others.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 01:48 PM

Frogprince: "Gfs, do you consider it "dishonest" to refer to people in terms you know they are comfortable with, in place of terms you've been used to, or just have an inclination to use?"

Jeez, who would name their child 'Frogprince'??...just kidding..

Does it make you comfortable that George W. Bush uses the 'comfortably, politically correct' phrase of 'compassionate conservative'???..or Hillary Clinton, getting up and whimpering catch phrases like 'Its for the children'??. Neither of these deceptive clowns give a flying fuck about 'compassion' for the American public, or YOUR children!!!!(if you have any)....but its 'politically correct' to use those phrases, and patently DISHONEST!

A phrase like 'mentally challenged' might sound great, but gives the listener no clue as to what the problem is. It could range from 'slow' (as in 'retarded') to any number of things, even down to just plain stupid, because the user of the phrase might not agree with the person, to whom he is referring!

How about 'Gay'..as contrast to homosexual..in lieu of 'reproductively challenged'???
....or 'person', as in Congressperson, instead of Congressman, as in mankind.

Or seeing 'n****r', when you know damn well, that the image that conjures up in the reader's mind is exactly the same thing...and there are other words to use, without being insulting, instead of making a point of 'showing' that you're going to hop-scotch' around, the verbiage, when you MEAN the same thing! It shows a weakness of character, which tends to discredit the user. I'd rather make my point CLEAR, than to make the point, that I think as bigoted the next guy, so I'd use 'PC' language, but just don't have the guts to express what I really think. In doing so, I might even spare the listener the insult and embarrassment of thinking along the lines of shallow judgments, and being small minded.....as those who actually think that way!! Jeez, Mark Twain would roll over in his grave!

Now I'm NOT advocating going out of your way to use offensive language, but for me, personally, I'd rather be direct, and forthright, even if I've risked 'putting off' the listener, or reader,....hoping is/her INTELLIGENCE coupled with conscientiousness will enlighten them, as to know, that my intentions were not to insult their intelligence, or feelings. Though, I've been known to dish out insults, that is usually reserved for those who shown complete disregard, for insulting their own intelligence, as trying to convince me, that I should join in the fun!!!

The bruises of a friend are better than the mirth of an enemy.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful"--King Solomon

Respectfully with Regards,

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: frogprince
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 11:26 AM

Gfs, do you consider it "dishonest" to refer to people in terms you know they are comfortable with, in place of terms you've been used to, or just have an inclination to use?

I generally go by my middle name, simply because my first name is unusual and tends to be confusing and hard for people to remember correctly. Awhile back, an older man in management discovered my first name in the records, approached me with a smarmy smile, and addressed me with a slowly drawled rendition of it. I told him, I believe very politely, that I preferred use of my middle name. The "smile" got nastier, and the use of my first name got more emphatic. I took a measure of comfort in the fact that he treated almost everyone like shit, not just me.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 11:10 AM

McGrath: ""Politically Correct" is a label that causes offense, and makes for disagreement. Not a term to use,in other words."

'Politically correct', is just that POLITICALLY. I'd prefer to be honest, than labeled 'politically' correct. 'Politics' by its very nature, is dishonest....and dishonesty is a certain trait of bad manners!!!


...not that anyone cares these days...its more en vogue to be dishonest, using 'non-offensive' language!!!!..it makes for 'politically correct' deception!

Here's winkin' at ya!...honestly!!!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 10:39 AM

"Politically Correct" is a label that causes offense, and makes for disagreement. Not a term to use,in other words.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 06:07 AM

McGrath, that is beautiful! I wish I'd said it.
Guest, now that I can agree with.Good point.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Bert
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:29 AM

...manners come from within!...

Hmmm, I think that pretty much sums up our Kendall.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 01:31 AM

The opposite of being 'politically correct' does not mean,that one would, could or should, be crude or coarse, by any means, but let's not go overboard in being dishonest about what you say!...for the sake of being 'PC'.

Shit, to some the truth is offensive enough!!!!..as any politically minded parrot!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 08:02 PM

It seems to me that the term "politically correct" is frequently used as a way of re-categorising ways of using language which are basically about good manners or courtesy, and labelling them as a variety of etiquette.

There are occasions when there can be some validity in that - people who try to operate a mechanical and arbitrary rule book as part of some exercise in organisational politics. But those are the distortions and exceptions. Mostly when people brandish the term "political correctness" (overwhelmingly in order to denounce it) what they are in fact attacking is the exercise of good manners in language.

Here's a song about all this I once wrote and posted on the Mudcat, and called "Poison in Jest":

Now there's a funny way of talking called "Politically Correct" -
Silly fools who think that words have some kind of effect.
Now that's surely not a notion that's entitled to respect -
So I'd like to poke a little fun at this strange dialect.
For when I meet some oddity I like to speak direct.
No, I never mess around with being "Politically Correct".
So I speak to them direct, that's what they must expect -
No I never mess around with being "Politically Correct."

So I say "Good Morning, Mr Nigger!",
or "How goes it, you old Yid?"
The answers that I get, I find surprising.
And I like seeing tins marked "Cripples",
or "For Little Spastic Kids" - I think euphemisims are so patronising!
So I speak to them direct, that's what they must expect
No I never mess around with being "Politically Correct."

So, perhaps you are a Poofter, or a Gippo with a van,
or perhaps you are a Mongol or a Moron -
or perhaps you come from Essex, Essex Girl or Essex Man,
and perhaps your name is Tracy, Wayne or Sharon
Well, I'll speak to you direct, that's what you must expect -
No I never mess around with being "Politically Correct."

If I call you what I choose, what's that got to do with you?
It's not my problem if the words appall you.
It's how I always speak when I'm talking to a freak,
and it doesn't really matter what I call you.
Yes, I'll speak to you direct, that's what you must expect -
No I never mess around with being "Politically Correct."

And if anybody says that I offends,
why then I just assume an
injured look - my poor little friends,
you must have lost your sense of humour.
And a sense of fun, when all is done,
it never should desert you.
And sticks and stones can break your bones -
but words can really hurt you.

So, I'll speak to you direct, that's what you must expect -
For I never mess around with being "Politically Correct."

Now some might call it courtesy,
or politeness or respect -
But I prefer to call it "being Politically Correct".

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:15 PM

Manners is making others comfortable; etiquette is knowing which fork, spoon, knife to use and where to place your napkin.
Which is more important?

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:01 PM

Amended:

"manners come from the heart to include people, as 'Do unto others as you' would have them do unto you'." (GfS)

"The basic meaning of manners is just that; the art of making others comfortable." (kendall)

Clearly GfS sees more diffeence betyween those ways of summarising "good manners" than I do, since he (or she) says the latter isn't about manners but about etiquette.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 06:53 PM

"manners come from the heart to include people, as 'Do unto others as you' would have them do unto you'." (GfS)

"The basic meaning of manners is just that; the art of making others comfortable." (GfS)

Clearly GfS sees more diffeence betyween those ways of summarising "good manners" than I do, since he (or she) says the latter isn't about manners but about etiquette.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 05:52 PM

"Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential." Will Cuppy


"Etiquette tip: More people will get out of your way if you say "I'm gonna puke!" than if you say "Excuse me"." Unknown source

"The devil is and always has been a gentleman." Diane LaVey

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:51 PM

I know what I meant and I said what I meant. Furthermore, I stand by it.Politically correct is a phrase that has been used like "Liberal", twisting the meaning to demean other people's mind set.
If you want to use the words nigger, cunt, fuck, do so, but not in the company of my wife or daughters.

That kind of gutter language will get you arrested in some places.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:35 PM

McGrath, You may agree or disagree, what I posted...but at least you're THINKING about it, Eh?...Isn't that the point? Isn't that the point of exchanging ideas???

Here, I'll run it by you again:

Etiquette, is more cerebral, and is taught and learned to qualify, and therefore exclude people, where manners come from the heart to include people, as 'Do unto others as you' would have them do unto you'.

If you don't, or can't understand the difference, its okay...don't worry about it.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:02 PM

Kendall's definition of (good) manners as behaving in a way that help others to be comfortable, is as good as you can have. "Etiquette" all too often is more about making people uncomfortable, because they don't know the rules.

The other way of doing that is by bad manners, and my impression from that post by "GUEST from Sanity" is that that may be his, (or conceivably) her, preferred way of doing that.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:03 PM

For some reason, it wasn't posting correctly:

Kendall: "I'm as open minded as anyone I know, still, I see no good reason to make others uncomfortable. The basic meaning of manners is just that; the art of making others comfortable."

You mean Etiquette...not manners.

Some people get 'uncomfortable' just way too easy. Some people find THINKING, past the 'POLITICALLY CORRECT' verbiage, painful. Some people have an acquired low threshold of tolerance, due to 'politically correct' nonsensical pandering. When I hear people use many of those terms, or get offended if another doesn't use those terms, I understand what they mean, and what they are.......and I also understand that they are too big of pussies, too block an exchange of honest ideas, without using a device to be less than honest..or accurate!!

...AND ITS NOT A MATTER OF MANNERS, EITHER..... but rather etiquette. Etiquette, is learned, from the outside....manners come from within!

You might dance around, trying to be 'diplomatic'...and NEVER speak your heart or mind......in such cases, why open your mouth at all?...except to try to impress others that you can be so 'PC'..in which case, I'd rather they just shut the fuck up!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:01 PM

Kendall: "I'm as open minded as anyone I know, still, I see no good reason to make others uncomfortable. The basic meaning of manners is just that; the art of making others comfortable."

You mean Etiquette...not manners.

Some people get 'uncomfortable' just way too easy. Some people find THINKING, past the 'POLITICALLY CORRECT' verbiage, painful. Some people have an acquired low threshold of tolerance, due to 'politically correct' nonsensical pandering. When I hear people use many of those terms, or get offended if another doesn't use those terms, I understand what they mean, and what they are.......and I also understand that they are too big of pussies, too block an exchange of honest ideas, without using a device to be less than honest..or accurate!!

...AND ITS NOT A MATTER OF MANNERS, EITHER..... but rather etiquette. Etiquette, is learned, from the outside....manners come from within!

You might dance around, trying to be 'diplomatic'...and NEVER speak your heart or mind......in such cases, why open your mouth at all?...except to try to impress others that you can be so 'PC'..in which case, I'd rather they just shut the fuck up!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:00 PM

Patsy, one thing about the childhood "four eyes" harassment:

There's nothing in the actual words that's insulting or offensive, seems to me. What's upsetting to a target glasses-wearing child is the bully's attitude, the utterance of those two words as if they were an insult.   By implication, the kid gets the message, "You're trash, you're worthless, you're ugly," none of which is actually in the meaning of the words. It's the use of the words in that way that's hurtful.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: GUEST,Patsy Warren
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 11:12 AM

One expression is really offensive to me and one that was so often used in the playground when I was at school was calling someone wearing glasses 'four eyes.' It was so hurtful to children or anyone vulnerable. Hopefully now schools address bullying like that and children can wear glasses to correct their sight properly without worrying about having to hide them like I did.

Subject: RE: BS: offensive words
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 09:41 AM

...if I offend someone, I'm big enough to take the consequences

But you don't take the consequences, if those consequences are limited to them feeling hurt or humiliated or insulted. That's a bit like saying "If I tread on someone, I'm big enough to take the consequences."