Banning Words

[elfdream]

Language is in a constant state of change. Today's profanity might well be tomorrow's polite pleasantries.

[myotch]

(02-22-2012 09:11 AM)C_Fresh Wrote:  Consider the word 'fag'. Americans would most likely equate this as a slur against homosexuals and that is its most common usage here. If memory serves correctly, it is also a term for something like a hand-rolled cigarette in Britain (though it might be an older term).

A fag is wood or a log fit for burning, as in the logs of a bonfire or execution at the stake. Hence the use for "cigarette". Whoever started using the word for homosexuals must not have really liked them at all.

[boymom]

(02-22-2012 01:19 PM)myotch Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 09:11 AM)C_Fresh Wrote:  Consider the word 'fag'. Americans would most likely equate this as a slur against homosexuals and that is its most common usage here. If memory serves correctly, it is also a term for something like a hand-rolled cigarette in Britain (though it might be an older term).

A fag is wood or a log fit for burning, as in the logs of a bonfire or execution at the stake. Hence the use for "cigarette". Whoever started using the word for homosexuals must not have really liked them at all.

Maybe they were just asking for cigarettes and were misunderstood.

[myotch]

Well, cigarettes are gay.

[Recovering]

(02-22-2012 02:24 PM)myotch Wrote:  Well, cigarettes are gay.

Mmm, no. Cigarettes are delicious. Not that I'm endorsing smoking; I just understand why people want to. :-)

Also, interesting trivia I've learned recently (possibly from this site, now that I think about it, so please excuse me if I'm repeating something from here): the present connotations of the word "gay" are not as new as generally assumed. Turns out the homosexual agenda didn't actually steal the word from the grasps of innocently happy Christians. :-)

[C_Fresh]

Apparently, back in the day, cigarettes used to be 'ladylike' while men smoked cigars. Cigarettes were a Mexican thing that worked its way North into the Wild West. At least thats what Chick Bowdrie said in one of Loius L'amour's stories.

[laurat99]

Fag is still used as a term for a cigarette in Britian.

I learned about the word loosey (buying a single cigarette) from the Dave Chappelle Show.

[Tonx]

I go by this motto in everything I do and read: "Context, NOT content."

[GraceThruFaith]

Adults should never have their speech restricted or censored. Great ideas often involve social change. Thus, they are often seen as offensive. Socrates, Lenny Bruce, and Jesus are just a few examples of those who were persecuted based on their speech.

I believe that adults should have the right to access any free expression. I oppose censorship laws, obscenity laws, etc.

Thus, if someone wants to use "chink in the armor" or use gay to mean lame or stupid, they should have that right and should not be punished for it.

[Recovering]

(02-22-2012 03:16 PM)GraceThruFaith Wrote:  Adults should never have their speech restricted or censored. Great ideas often involve social change. Thus, they are often seen as offensive. Socrates, Lenny Bruce, and Jesus are just a few examples of those who were persecuted based on their speech.

I believe that adults should have the right to access any free expression. I oppose censorship laws, obscenity laws, etc.

Thus, if someone wants to use "chink in the armor" or use gay to mean lame or stupid, they should have that right and should not be punished for it.

Maybe not legally punished. I can judge someone all I want, though. :-)