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Word development....much?
You know how meaningless unused words like "dork" evolve into vulgarity and such? I don't understand the meaning behind any of it at all. Why would people try to make the words obtain a nasty new definition in the first place...? Also, I'd have to admit to myself, teens everyday are cussing their mouths off. Now now, I'm not flaming anyone, heck I say them myself without realizing. I mean...Where do these words come from, and why do we use them so much? I don't understand that blind logic at all. I myself don't even know if that counts as logic at all. I see kids in elementary school flip each other off and cuss at each other. Is it because of we older kids...? Do we ever stop to think about the true meaning behind what we're saying and what it really means, and who it hurts? It's like those "mama" jokes. We have nothing against our opponent's mothers...why do we insult them anyhow? Please let me know your input so I can further understand this matter, I'd appreciate. :D |
You know, some other words actually wind up doing the opposite.
Have you noticed, over the span of 20 years, the word "hell" is thrown around nonchalantly? No one really minds it that much unless it's targeted at them. In the 1890's through the 1940's, the word "hell" would get you beat with a switch. No, I'm not that old, gaha. |
But that's just it. Things get tossed around an awful lot, and people don't even give a """".
So...that's why I'm asking why? I mean, most people do talk shit about others, I'm just wondering why. Why they use profanity in the first place. Is it supposed to be "popular" or "cool" or something? I don't understand... |
I find it odd how the word gay went from meaning happy to homosexual and now kids use it to mean, stupid or whatever. Young kids tend to use words we find offensive because their parents and older siblings or older kids they see out on the street do and I don't think they really know what they are saying or doing, they just know that they aren't supposed to but older people do. I scared a kid at a school when I was subbing for after school care when I saw him sticking his middle finger up in a girls face and "yelled" at him (I didn't really yell, I just can't find a better word). The poor kid almost cried and when I told him not to do that anymore, he had no idea why. I just told him it's bad and not to do it.
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It's true, but it's weird how it happens. It usually starts off as something not really insulting, then becomes very insulting so people use it more often to discribe their frustrations and anger, then it just sort of dies out into commonly used phrases or just completely teeters out into barely used words at all.
Maybe it's just human nature to be innovative by using other words not commonly used. I mean, we all try to be unique in our own way, even if we don't realize that we're doing it. Words are living things, too. Human language and grammar are constantly evolving based on what the people today use. Though a few might stick to the old ways, many people like the change things up. And unfortunantly it's the "many" that decide what happens...practically always. |
So you guys are saying it's okay to call people gay and not watch it?
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Let's say one abusive father comes home a swears a lot, beats his child, and leaves. The child is always angry, and therefore, profound words pop out. Now since this child cusses, another one catches on. "Hey this is cool. I wanna be just like him". Eventually, everyone is cussing for no reason, just to spit them out. Basically, it's not really that's it's cool NOW... it's just, it WAS cool, and now the words don't stop. |
@silent.assassin: I think the word gay has many shades depending on how you say it. A girl, could say in a fit of rage: "You are so gay!" And it would hurt. But say, a guy joking to his friend could say: "Dude, you are so gay!" And it would just be brushed off.
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wait...dork is bad? o-o;
i've always used it as an affectionate nickname for my guy friends. Dx Like "Hey dork! x3" or "hahaha! Dork. :]" ._.; Oops. D; |
Ah. So if I called Charlie gay, I would be cool, because all the other popular kids call him homo. But...Charlie isn't gay... Then what happens? I mean...wouldn't I be called gay to if I stood up for him?
New question: WHY DOES THIS GO ON? The defenders always end up prosecuted. |
@silent.assassin: Nowadays, children do not really use the term gay to describe a homosexual person, per say- they joke with the word, and gay (as I see it) is usually used to describe a weird individual.
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Yes, it's kind of depressing how simple words can become such bad words.
For example, how the word b**** has evolved over the years. It really just means a female dog, but back in I-don't-know-when, people would insult women by calling them female dogs. So now b**** is a very bad word when it used to have the same meaning as "cow" or "lioness." :\ |
But...wai...?
I mean...Couldn't we just say, "I don't like you." and get over it? Why drag the homosexual into any of this at all...? It's not even their fault any of this actually happens. Remember guys, the Nazis killed them poor homos too. D; |
@silent.assassin: By society's standards, homosexuals are pretty weird. I mean, think about it, we have really only recently addressed the issue of homosexuality, so it is a new concept to some of us.
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yeah...but society is just as twisted. The thing is, nobody says anything to try and stop that unless they've got guts to dig their own grave. ( It's a figure of speech, I'm not being literal. )
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@silent.assassin: Maybe we used to be blamed for being _____________ for defending a _____________ back in the days of the Salem Witch Trials, but I think that now, we as humans are much more liberal and open to new ideas. Honestly, I don't see a lot (at all, actually) of that "You defended him, so you must be the same!" sort of logic.
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Exactly. I mean. If a popular politician stood up for that... Kiss good-bye to his career, and come forth paparazzi. -shudders-
The world is so twisted in countless ways. |
Off-limits words are all about power.
Some of those words are formed to express a power differential. For instance, "f**" originated out of the Nazis mocking the gay men they tied together and lit on fire (because "f**" meant "burning bundle of sticks" or something -- which is why British people call cigarettes "f**s"). It was a phrase which expressed the power the Nazis held over those they were killing. "B****" was (and is) an expression of men's power over women that is deployed to shut down and marginalize an aggressive woman as being crass and uncivilized. "N*****" was a perversion of a synonym for the color black that signified the inferiority of Blacks to Whites. Other racial slurs developed in much the same way. Other words are created to provide a recourse for those wishing to use strong or forceful language in order to express their points. These "powerful" words are the ones like "s***" and arguably "f***" and "motherf***er". They're intended to shock. Personally, I think the best way to counteract the use of language you dislike is to socially shut down and mock those who use the word (in the instance of racial epithets and things like describing negative things as being "gay") or to co-opt the word to take away its power ("Yeah, I'm a f***ing b****, get the f*** over it"). I don't mind curse words, personally, unless they're used in contexts that slip up the balance of power in unfair ways. It always surprises me when people have a problem with words like "a**hole", because people swear so often around me that I hardly notice it. That's just my two cents, anyways. |
Yeah...It's just that it influences children. It's splattered everywhere, internet, school, public areas. And they're concerned about politics now, they should be concerned about minor little things that could lead to...you know...BAM.
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The whole reason this happens is because everyone acts like it's OK. Little kids see bigger kids do it, and think they look tougher doing it. The bigger kids ignore them, rather than telling them it's actually not OK. And so those kids grow up thinking it's OK to say "gay" and mean stupid. It's "OK" to call a girl a (insert insult) because she doesn't conform to the box society has placed around females. The only way to stop this is to teach kids it is wrong to say that. If you want to fix the future, help the kids with it.
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Well that's just it, isn't it? Like...people aren't doing anything about it. D: |
Maybe I'm just desensitized, but words do not hurt or shock me, and when I'm called a bitch, I tell them, "Damn right I am!" (I often call myself a cunt too.)
In fact, I enjoy cursing if not only because a little bit of my rage comes out with it (screaming FUCK over and over again sometimes saves me from punching others in the face), but I generally don't insult others with it, but if I do, I always have reason. As my English professor says, sometimes there is only one word to describe something. Like my ex-stepmother: the only way I could describe her was "a gold-digging bitch." All she did was bitch, bitch, bitch, so you know... Well, she stole money from us too, but yeah. The reason why no one is doing anything about it is because in our society, we do not talk about the "taboo." (That's a strong word, but look at sex--so many people having unprotected sex, so many people not saying anything for fear that someone will get their panties in a bunch.) It's something that we'll just have to change over time. But really? Words don't hurt people, except maybe one's feelings if they have thin skin, and trust me, if someone's skin is thin enough to be hurt over someone calling them a bitch/fag/whatever, then they're going to have a hell of a time in the real world. (You can claim that a best friend calling you a bitch would hurt, but that's more the betrayal, yes?) I don't care if people curse, and it doesn't bother me, although I do think of it as an "adult thing." A privilege if you will. Kids should just be discouraged--there's nothing to freak out about. |
yeah, I know what you mean.
like me and my roomate recently looked up what the term "Douche" actually meant... and were quite suprised @[email protected] it's pretty ridiculous sometimes! though vulgarity is pretty much around me everywhre (though I never curse, EVER, and people tease me to death when i accidentally sayy "A--" or "D---" (which only happens once a year (or more))) so, I don't really care about the ocasional word here or there. what bothers me is when people feel the need to use fifteen or more designated 'curse' words in a sentance (which may only contain 16 words!! or LESS! AAAAH DX) then I just want to whack them on the head with a frying pan >_< frankly, I make up my own anti-curse words, like when i stubb my tow or something, instead of saying "F---" I say "Fudge bunnies!" XP which is ridiculously hilarious, but can in no way be offensive to anyone (unless you happen to be a bunny....and made...of chocolate o.O') I suppose though people need to mointer when and where they curse, because the odd word here and there is alright with friends, but not in front of children and such, because we then desenitize them and then they think it's alright and turn into those people who curse all the time everywhere and repeat the endless horrid cycle >_< and omigawsh....how did that end up there? D= i think...I think i ranted... |
Well, when it comes to swearing, it relieves tention and gives a sense of relief. For example, I might slam my finger in a door. Now it hurts, but by shouting 'ah shit!' it allows me to relieve the irritation at the cause of the pain and the pain itself.
Due to this sense of relief, and te fact that is usually bothers adults, particularly parents, kids take a liking to swearing. Younger kids see it and think it's cool because the big kids are doing it, and when they become big kids that impression is still there, making it even more positive. Thus, people like to swear. People don't like people swearing because it's considered vulgar, and some people take offense to it. Sort of like saying 'cum-sucking-whore' in the middle of an office meeting. It does no physical harm, but it brings unpleasant things to mind and has little to do with anything. Therefore people dislike hearing it. Please forgive my language, by the way, I am meerly making a point, and I am not directing any vulgar words at anyone. |
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