Do you think words evolve into different meanings over the years or through context?

[phorsenuf]

I was reading another thread and the OP called out some boys in the store over their language. One boy called the other a *****. (Let's see if the DIS considers it a bad word )

I think some words have moved away from their negative meanings depending on the context in which they are used.

I see this as defined as someone being a wimp. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't think of it being vulgar when used that way and I wouldn't think twice about hearing it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[wvjules]

I wouldn't go by the DIS filter. Skinny is a bad word at the DIS.

OOps, I guess its not bad to be skinny anymore. lol

 

[lovemygoofy]

I curse like a sailor in private okay mostly private. I do not curse around children.

I consider the word you are talking about highly offensive.

My thought about some words is that if I'm not prepared to call my mama or my pastor a "wimp"(not this word) for not being able to do something then the word is still not acceptable in public.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I do think derogatory terms evolve and become something more generalized. I think ALL offensive language has become more mainstream over the years.

I also curse like a sailor with the standard words. The one mentioned in the other post isn't one I use, but I know people who do and it is used to describe someone as a wimp. I don't generally expect to hear it out in public though.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I can't stand it when a perfectly useful word gets dumped into some weird warp that taints it.

The newest irritant is the word 'Urban', which means from a city, as in I'm a city girl so I love and acknowledge a difference between 'urban' life as opposed to suburban or country life and frankly I prefer it. I prefer all things city like and gray, skyscraper and melting pot. Uggh, imagine my horror that now a perfectly good word that actually defines a lifestyle I love has now become a no-no in some circles because it is viewed as derogatory by people just looking to start trouble. How exactly am I supposed to say it now?

The list is endless and pretty annoying because, aside from the most blatantly offensive terms the words aren't really the problem, it's the sentiment that sometimes can be. But sentiment isn't as easy to define as a word, it's elusive, someone can use the term 'kitten' with venom if they want. I wish the whole practice of word banning would just die off already, it's so ridiculous.

 

[NotUrsula]

I curse like a sailor in private okay mostly private. I do not curse around children.

I consider the word you are talking about highly offensive.

My thought about some words is that if I'm not prepared to call my mama or my pastor a "wimp"(not this word) for not being able to do something then the word is still not acceptable in public.

Goofy, you're more of a mind-reader than I am. Offhand I can think of 5 five-letter words that *could* mean "wimp" in this context. I'm pretty sure that all of them could be offensive to someone.

So, are we talking about the one that was also a character in a James Bond novel? If so, that should answer the question: women find that one offensive. Not as bad as the 4-letter variation, but we don't like it.

If you're 10 years old and you want to call someone a wimp, then call him a "wimp" -- use any of these other choices and some adult is likely to be unhappy with you.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Goofy, you're more of a mind-reader than I am. Offhand I can think of 5 five-letter words that *could* mean "wimp" in this context. I'm pretty sure that all of them could be offensive to someone.

So, are we talking about the one that was also a character in a James Bond novel? If so, that should answer the question: women find that one offensive. Not as bad as the 4-letter variation, but we don't like it.

If you're 10 years old and you want to call someone a wimp, then call him a "wimp" -- use any of these other choices and some adult is likely to be unhappy with you.

Yes the word is the James Bond girl. Now you have me racking my brain trying to think of all the other words you could be thinking of

 

[pipersmom]

I do feel that particular word is offensive. As to the larger topic, I have yet to hear any derogatory or offensive word suddenly become "acceptable" to the world at large. I admit to being old school though, and when I hear someone using that type of language as part of their usual speech, it tells me everything I need to know about them. I'm not one for banning speech, don't get me wrong, I just make use of my ability to choose what kind of talk to be subjected to

 

[Robinrs]

It IS a vulgar word... and I know VULGAR!

Realistically it's another derogatory term for females and female body parts and equatiing a female with wimpiness is insulting in my world.

The problem is not that the words have become a part of our vernacular, the problem is we've forgotten the origins... and don't CARE. It's OKAY to deride women, and women do it more than men.

My son reminded me that nearly EVERY nasty term you can give a man is an insult to a woman. Son of a female dog , mother you know what, ******* is an insult to the mother, and the several different terms that are used for the female anatomy.

BTW, if you really think it means "wimp" and nothing else, do a Google search.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I do feel that particular word is offensive. As to the larger topic, I have yet to hear any derogatory or offensive word suddenly become "acceptable" to the world at large. I admit to being old school though, and when I hear someone using that type of language as part of their usual speech, it tells me everything I need to know about them. I'm not one for banning speech, don't get me wrong, I just make use of my ability to choose what kind of talk to be subjected to

The B word that means female dog seems to have become a compliment to some.

Back when i was working in NYC in the 90's a good friend of mine made it a point to tell me how the word isn't bother to her and that she likes being called it because it means people see her as powerful. She felt the word was empowering. I told her i don't see it that way because to me the word means female dog and that dogs are loving but thoughtless creatures who will lay with whatever stray comes along in the street when they go into heat. Not exactly a compliment to me, but to each their own.

There was a huge hit song a while back that glorified the word, by Meredith Brooks... people who know me know better and that using a word like that directed towards me means someone is getting put in their place.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I don't find that word offensive in that context (being a wimp)... truthfully, I don't find it offensive as a word used to describe a female body part, either. Same goes for the aforementioned four-letter-word meaning the same thing. It's just a word. To me, allowing the slang words to be offensive turns the actual body part into something that is offensive. And, well, God gave it to me. I can't be offended by that.

Do I use them myself? No.

To answer the OP's question... yes, I think language simply evolves. I remember the first time I heard the phrase "off the hook" used to mean something other than getting out of a jam. Took me a minute to realize what was going on. LOL.

Letting words run their course is a natural thing to me.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Realistically it's another derogatory term for females and female body parts and equatiing a female with wimpiness is insulting in my world.

The problem is not that the words have become a part of our vernacular, the problem is we've forgotten the origins... and don't CARE. It's OKAY to deride women, and women do it more than men.

There are slang words used to describe the male anatomy that are used in the same way though. I guess I'd rather by "wimpy" than be a "jerK"... and I don't think equating females and female body parts with wimpiness is any worse than equating men and male body parts with "jerks".

 

[mrsklamc]

It's not just 'bad' words. The word 'epic' is virtually meaningless these days.

 

[KristaTX]

It IS a vulgar word... and I know VULGAR!

Realistically it's another derogatory term for females and female body parts and equatiing a female with wimpiness is insulting in my world.

The problem is not that the words have become a part of our vernacular, the problem is we've forgotten the origins... and don't CARE. It's OKAY to deride women, and women do it more than men.

My son reminded me that nearly EVERY nasty term you can give a man is an insult to a woman. Son of a female dog , mother you know what, ******* is an insult to the mother, and the several different terms that are used for the female anatomy.

BTW, if you really think it means "wimp" and nothing else, do a Google search.

I'm gonna agree with Robin this time. Whether or not it's become "acceptable" over the years, terms like that are sexist because they in essence put down the female gender. Even Robin's teenage son can see that.

I also don't really like words like "sissy", or when people say things like "You throw like a girl" or "Where's your skirt?". Regardless of people's ignorance as to the origins or true meanings, terms and phrases like that at the heart still go back to being a put-down of the female sex.

 

[Maridw]

I think Tim McGraw's song "Back When" says it best:

"Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when"

 

[Sparx]

The B word that means female dog seems to have become a compliment to some.

Back when i was working in NYC in the 90's a good friend of mine made it a point to tell me how the word isn't bother to her and that she likes being called it because it means people see her as powerful. She felt the word was empowering. I told her i don't see it that way because to me the word means female dog and that dogs are loving but thoughtless creatures who will lay with whatever stray comes along in the street when they go into heat. Not exactly a compliment to me, but to each their own.

There was a huge hit song a while back that glorified the word, by Meredith Brooks... people who know me know better and that using a word like that directed towards me means someone is getting put in their place.

The words *****, *****, ****, Slut, and ***** have been used to hurt and beat down women since their invention. I love m womanhood, and I will never apologize for it. If being a strong, smart powerful woman who gets things done makes me a *****, by god I'm a ***** and I'm proud of it.

Strong women are the ones who are MOST damaged by these words. If a woman is anything but meek and feminine she's viewed as a ***** for speaking up for herself.

If I use it, if you use it, and if we use it in a way that doesn't oppress or hurt anyone, it takes its power away and doesn't let anyone else use it to hurt me or any other woman. Feminists have been reclaiming ***** and **** for years.

Those words start with B, W, C, S, and P, respectively.

 

[Sparx]

Also, I think its very telling about the DIS that I can say the word Slut but I can't say ******. (that last one is the anatomically correct term for reproductive organs.)

 

[crazyme5kids]

Yes. Just look at how many transformations the word "gay" has gone through.

"He's gay." can be interpreted several different ways depending on who is doing the interpreting .

 

[KathyTX]

Okay... can only dance around profanity so much before it becomes unacceptable. Time to close this one, and just agree to use polite language.