Originally Posted by Jasun
I'm not sure how your ****** example applies here. In fact, I'd say it doesn't.
Within modern vernacular, "******" is an extremely offensive word. In fact, probably the most offensive word in the English language. There's no doubt it is offensive. And so even its role within modern vernacular doesn't allow for me to go around using it against anyone.
I do think "******" is an interesting word, though. And I'm glad you brought it up. Whenever there's a discussion on offensive words and phrases someone always pulls out the "****** card" to try and make a point. Just like someone always plays the "hitler/nazi" card when discussing politics or social policy.
"******" didn't really become an offensive word until this last century. Although it wasn't quite appropriate for social conversation, its understood meanings even allowed for it to appear in Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn without anyone, at the time, thinking much of it or thinking of it as all too offensive.
In the 17th century anti-slavery organizations would use the word "******" in their literature as just a standard word to apply to black Africans. It wasn't an insult.
But it has since become one, evolving in to one of the least pleasant words in the English language and one over which people get more defensive and to which they're more sensitive than just about any other. Thus why you used it as an example here, although your example didn't really apply too well.
Regardless, modern vernacular. The meaning and usage of the word "******" has changed over time. Just as "That's so gay!" will. Just as "fag" has and "queer" has and will.
"Queer" was eagerly adopted by men in the early 20th century who wanted to differentiate themselves from effeminite and showy homosexual men who were called "fairies" and "queens". So even the origins of "queer" with relation to gay men was kind of a "self-hating" thing, if you wanna call it that. And then it became an insult directed at all gay men. And then it became a word the entire gay community embraced as almost a mark of pride. Again, the evolution of language and vernacular.
I ask again... does anything think when someone says "pardon my French" of how that phrase originated from the perception that the French were vulgar and obscene and thus their affiliation with the swear word just spoken?
When you go "dutch treat" on a date does anyone think of how the English viewed the Dutch as cheap and stingy and that's where that phrase comes from?
When you hear of someone welshing on a bet do you think of how the perception of the welsh was that they'd run up huge gambling debts - especially at dog and horse tracks - and not repay them?
Because those are the origins of those phrases, but no one really ties the group at the root of those phrases to their meaning today. The phrases themselves have taken on a meaning of their own independent of the group offense was directed towards when they were first created and became a part of the vernacular.
Again, you're entitled to feel offended and more than welcome to it. But quite frankly I have better things to do with my day than sit around finding reason to take offense at what other people do. And when a young person says something like "that's so gay" and I don't see in their statement any intent to hurt me or even an understanding on their part of where and how that phrase originated and what's implied through it, I could really care less.
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