Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)
6. I'm just not really into word policing
Mon Dec 15, 2014, 11:33 AM
Dec 2014

Categorizing a term or word as offensive if it offends everyone is one standard. Categorizing a term or word as offensive if it offends one person is another standard. At some point reasonableness has to be inserted, unless we want to keep a sticky list of words we can't use. There are some on DU who claim the word "hysterical" is sexist due to its Greek and Latin origins. Would you discontinue using that word on that basis?

The problem is the perpetually offended will find reason to be offended regardless of what words you use and they certainly have no problems employing strawman or other fallacies to do so, and those are inevitably the same ones who mindlessly argue that "prick" isn't sexist while "pussy" is.

Well, another cowardly attack... [View all] TreasonousBastard Dec 2014 OP
At least we are not blocked from here libodem Dec 2014 #1
and dusting off old platitudes and rec'ing them onto the greatest page Doctor_J Jan 2015 #44
It's a curious phenomenon libodem Jan 2015 #45
Oh, I don't think you were attacked by cowards malthaussen Dec 2014 #2
In a protected group where I can't reply... TreasonousBastard Dec 2014 #5
I'd advise you not to confuse grousing with attack malthaussen Dec 2014 #7
I agree with most of what you've stated... Veilex Dec 2014 #16
"Should the expected alert be successful, I will assume m y point proven." NCTraveler Dec 2014 #3
I avoided that thread, but I do try to be consistent. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #4
I'm just not really into word policing Major Nikon Dec 2014 #6
As in many things, it's not binary. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #10
That's why pointing out the motivation is important Major Nikon Dec 2014 #11
Agree. n/t lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #21
Wait, what's wrong with shrill? And hasn't "hysteria" developed well beyond it's origins by now? kjones Dec 2014 #14
Darnit! You beat me to the Betty white posting! Veilex Dec 2014 #17
I was on the jury Goblinmonger Dec 2014 #8
Hmmm Veilex Dec 2014 #18
Just for the record-- this is not my alert... TreasonousBastard Dec 2014 #23
I wouldn't have voted to hide that one Major Nikon Dec 2014 #24
a couple months back I posted that someone offended by the sleeze at DI Doctor_J Dec 2014 #9
Times when the words "echo chamber" is apt. Veilex Dec 2014 #19
Dick Cheney doesn't bother them. ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2014 #12
Bullshit. JTFrog Dec 2014 #29
Can't we just agree that he is both a pussy and a Dick? kjones Dec 2014 #13
No. Veilex Dec 2014 #20
Personally, I think people take things too seriously. kjones Dec 2014 #25
We differ a bit on this... Veilex Dec 2014 #26
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #27
Getting the menu mixed up with the meal, as it were. Confusing the map with the territory. Veilex Dec 2014 #28
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #30
*Shrug* Veilex Dec 2014 #33
Demands for a double standard aren't reasonable Major Nikon Dec 2014 #31
"Demands for a double standard aren't reasonable" - But that is not what this is. Veilex Dec 2014 #32
"The world will still turn, the sun will still shine..." kjones Dec 2014 #35
I was responding to your post, but perhaps we both misunderstood each other Major Nikon Dec 2014 #36
"that's not the argument that's being made elsewhere on this site" - true. Veilex Dec 2014 #38
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #43
Very well said. n/t lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #37
"I do agree with you in that how something is said and the context in which it is conveyed..." kjones Dec 2014 #34
"So why focus on words when you can focus on bigots?" - perhaps its because... Veilex Dec 2014 #39
Fair enough kjones Dec 2014 #40
This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #15
I'd like to start a pool. Whoever guesses the correct amount of replies to such threads, wins! Inkfreak Dec 2014 #22
619 and still growing Major Nikon Dec 2014 #41
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #42
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Men's Group»Well, another cowardly at...»Reply #6