Quote from: rytrasmi on November 04, 2021, 02:58:21 PM

Quote from: Zalman on November 04, 2021, 02:36:35 PM
Exactly, and these days it doesn't even require "the public at large" to use them as pejoratives -- it only takes a few loud Twitterers to declare those words to be pejorative.

It has, and will continue, to happen to every single word ever used for anyone. Because it's a form of control, and that desire for control isn't going away no matter how much we strive to "perfect" our language.

Indeed. Look at the recent faux offense and hand-wringing for "guys."

The perpetually offended or their comrades or masters are inventing new words, like folx and zher, which are eventually going to be--quite rightly in this case--re-tooled by the public as insults. And then what are they going to do? Invent more words? Because that's worked so well in the past /s.

Greetings!

So true, my friend. I think there are two huge problems in this whole social dynamic.

(1) The people that are perpetually *offended* at everything, at all kinds of words--need to grow the fuck up. They need to grow a thicker skin, become stronger and emotionally resilient, and embrace the idea that the world is FULL of people that disagree with YOU--or simply embrace all kinds of things, of attitudes, ways of speaking, whatever, that are different from what you think is nice, sweet, sensitive, or otherwise more appropriate.

(2) The people that are typically targeted and critiqued by the whining, sobbing bitches, they too, need to reach down and grab a hold of their balls. Resoundingly and relentlessly tell the sobbing bitches of society "TOO BAD!" and for them to "SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

All of this changing language though all comes from dialectic Marxist ideology, and is promoted in high schools, colleges, and universities, by "enlightened" and "sensitive" and uber-concerned professors that are fucking hell-bent on insisting that everything and everyone in society operates like we are in perpetual kindergarten. There's also a good chunk of commentators, HR business people, journalists, and that smarmy class of scummy pseudo-intellectuals in other areas of society that champion the same kinds of approaches to life and of ideology. Their corrupted thinking all comes from the same Marxist well of shit though. All of these people seek in different ways, to exercise control and dominance over people around them. Like a kindergarten teacher, scolding her children around her. It's the same arrogant, condescending, "I'm the adult, you are the dirty, uneducated child that needs to listen to me and obey!" That whole attitude always comes through with everything these people talk about.

There are lots of these kinds of smarmy, Marxist idiots throughout society--media, business, HR departments, and especially schools--that simply need to be fired, and not hired to do anything except clean the outhouse. Ultimately, though, the root goes back to school, because all of these people were taught to think this way; they were taught to think that they are superior, and are entitled to instruct others around them in how they should speak, think, and act; and these people have all been brainwashed to believe that they know the best, the most moral and proper way for people everywhere to think, speak, and behave In comes that kindergarten thinking again. It's all terrible Marxist ideology, and the fruit that grows from it. These people are all hopelessly brainwashed, and society will never improve or defeat this kind of problem until these Marxist idiots are rooted out of our society, everywhere.

There's lots of different fruit on the ground, in various industries and contexts, but the root of the problem all goes back to that same founding root. Language, feelings, control, ideology, division, all of these things are described as tools and levers of control and manipulation to infiltrate and destroy society, so as to prepare the society to be overthrown by Communism. Yuri Bhezhmenov--a defecting KGB Officer--described how all of these things are created, exploited, and coordinated, to weaken and destroy societies that oppose Communism. He said this stuff back in 1970. Everything he says you can trace elements of it to even earlier Marxist writings, Marx, Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky, Mao, Minh, Simone Bovoir? a bunch of Feminists, Saul Alinsky, (Rules for Radicals). They all speak of the same things, the same hatreds, the same lust for power and control, and the same desire to destroy anyone and everything that opposes them and their "Movement".

It's a good morning for some fresh coffee and a good pipe. It's cold and raining here.

This insanity drives me nuts. So may people have lost their minds, and have had their minds turned to jello!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: GeekyBugle on November 04, 2021, 02:02:18 PM
Let me put it this way so your addled brain might understand: You speak in whatever way YOU feel is okay to do so, I will not try to change the way you speak (might mock you tho), and I'll do the same, and when you or any other of the new moral majority comes trying to imposse their morals on me I tell all to go fuck themselves.

But as loud as you sound your nerd trumpet, the poiint is that you have been slow on the uptake of the point here, unlike rytrasmi. I think that means your thought processes are retarded. Does that make you a retard?

Retarded: Look it up in a proper dictionary.
https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/164191?rskey=yN3pIn&result=2&isAdvanced=false#eid

It means:  a. Held back or in check; hindered, impeded; delayed, deferred.

I look forward to you raising your game to mockery as you seem to confuse it with common abuse. Not recognising it when presented with it might suggest you are somewhat of a stranger to it.

QuoteFuck you I won't do what you tell me to.

But - you are already doing as I want. Each day you don't use those words you've already surrendered on.

BTW, I suggest King Canute would be a better handle ...

Quote from: Anselyn on November 04, 2021, 04:41:34 PM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on November 04, 2021, 02:02:18 PM
Let me put it this way so your addled brain might understand: You speak in whatever way YOU feel is okay to do so, I will not try to change the way you speak (might mock you tho), and I'll do the same, and when you or any other of the new moral majority comes trying to imposse their morals on me I tell all to go fuck themselves.

But as loud as you sound your nerd trumpet, the poiint is that you have been slow on the uptake of the point here, unlike rytrasmi. I think that means your thought processes are retarded. Does that make you a retard?

Retarded: Look it up in a proper dictionary.
https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/164191?rskey=yN3pIn&result=2&isAdvanced=false#eid

It means:  a. Held back or in check; hindered, impeded; delayed, deferred.

I look forward to you raising your game to mockery as you seem to confuse it with common abuse. Not recognising it when presented with it might suggest you are somewhat of a stranger to it.

QuoteFuck you I won't do what you tell me to.

But - you are already doing as I want. Each day you don't use those words you've already surrendered on.

BTW, I suggest King Canute would be a better handle ...

The same rytrasmi that agrees with me?

Sure champ, the retarded isn't the one thinking that Merriam-Webster isn't an english dictionary.

"abuse" Since you like to stretch definitions to totally change their meaning (like a totally not retarded person would) please point what is the meaning of that word in your word salad. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abuse

But I keep using them, because in my country we still haven't become as retarded as the gringo academia.

And I'll keep mocking you even if you cry that I'm abusing you. Because you deserve it.

Quote from: rytrasmi on November 04, 2021, 02:20:27 PM
Any word can be used in a derogatory sense. E.g., the word "basic" is presently used as an insult. Challenge: Think of a more bland word to replace "basic" to avoid offending people who have been called called basic.

I don't think that use of "basic" has reached this side of the pond - but then I'm not "down with the kids". I think if basic were that insult in the UK then our "bog-standard" would be an alternative. Although that is already  sometimes derogatory but not necessarily so and it's the context that matters. I think it has probably drifted the other way to your "basic".

Quote"Idiot," "moron," "retard," etc. have followed a similar path to your examples. Once widely used and then dropped by professionals due to technical reasons and/or because the public at large started using them as pejoratives. Contrast with the word "witch" which is used by a significant amount of women in a positive sense. And, honestly, good for them. Also, consider the word "Jew." Many non-Jews are hesitant to use word because it has been used as a pejorative by antisemites, so they be "safe" and go with "Jewish" instead. But Jews themselves tend to prefer the word Jew (as far as I can tell), and I think it's right and honorable to stop the assholes from taking your word.

Agreed - linguistic drift from technical term to popular pejorative usage will always happen. I also do have problems with the seeming pre-emptive offence that we see now but don't see it as part of a unique Marxist conspiracy. (Not accusing your goodself of that view.)

I've heard "At this time of year, Jewish people celebate ..." which takes it up a level of weird for me. Especially as you have the question "Do they really, all?" arising from the sweeping assumption that was carefully crafted in one part.

QuoteIn any case, old, geriatric, and senile are not synonyms.

Really?

If I can return to phylactery. If I understand correctly, I think that the Monster Manual in December 77 set the modern usage in fantasy more generally. That's from (near enough) 44 years ago. It seems to me that it's entirely possible that a young person in 1977 could have thought a word in something was a bit peculiar or near the knuckle is it were used in the exact sense and context as in 1933 - 44 years before that.  The idea that sensibilites change across one-or-two generatinos shouldn't be surprising anyone.

Quote[Young people] are high-minded because they have not yet been humbled by life, nor have they experienced the force of circumstances.
...
They think they know everything, and are always quite sure about it."

Rhetoric, Aristotle
4th Century BC

Quote from: GeekyBugle on November 04, 2021, 04:58:18 PM

Sure champ, the retarded isn't the one thinking that Merriam-Webster isn't an english dictionary.

Well, it's certainly not an english dictionary and I think your failing your "Read English" skill roll again. I think it's probably American?

QuoteBut I keep using them, because in my country we still haven't become as retarded as the gringo academia.

But I don't think I'm a gringo - perhaps define your terms a bit better? Are you speaking Mexican or Spanish?

QuoteAnd I'll keep mocking you even if you cry that I'm abusing you. Because you deserve it.

Thank you. I am very much enjoying it. And you're so very good at it too.

Anselyn, ignoring directed insults or the like:
The problem with 'change verbiage to avoid offense' is a dead end intilectually because offense is purely subjective.
The solution is to teach people not to get offended, not to strike off more and more words off the dictionary to please a fickle public.

The 'We changed it 30 years ago' thing, more shows that to be a utterly flawed philosophy that has led us down a path of hypersensitivity and the censorship of the self or others.

Edit: And I disagree with Geeky calling you names since you seem to be operating out of good faith.

Quote from: Anselyn on November 04, 2021, 05:44:53 PM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on November 04, 2021, 04:58:18 PM

Sure champ, the retarded isn't the one thinking that Merriam-Webster isn't an english dictionary.

Well, it's certainly not an english dictionary and I think your failing your "Read English" skill roll again. I think it's probably American?

QuoteBut I keep using them, because in my country we still haven't become as retarded as the gringo academia.

But I don't think I'm a gringo - perhaps define your terms a bit better? Are you speaking Mexican or Spanish?

QuoteAnd I'll keep mocking you even if you cry that I'm abusing you. Because you deserve it.

Thank you. I am very much enjoying it. And you're so very good at it too.

So you're not only retarded but a pompous, snob brit too.

Sorry to inform you this but language evolves and given the numbers such evolution isn't being driven by the UK.

So you think we Mexicans don't speak spanish? Funny cuz the RAE seems to disagree with you.

As for Shrieking Banshee's comment above, I wasn't the one who started calling people "hard of comprehension". But our "totally on good faith" snob brit.

Quote from: Shrieking Banshee on November 04, 2021, 06:01:04 PM
Anselyn, ignoring directed insults or the like:
The problem with 'change verbiage to avoid offense' is a dead end intilectually because offense is purely subjective.
The solution is to teach people not to get offended, not to strike off more and more words off the dictionary to please a fickle public.

The 'We changed it 30 years ago' thing, more shows that to be a utterly flawed philosophy that has led us down a path of hypersensitivity and the censorship of the self or others.

Edit: And I disagree with Geeky calling you names since you seem to be operating out of good faith.

You might need to check on who started the namecalling.

Greetings!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary isn't considered authoritative in Britain?

Who knew?

*Shrugs* Oh well. Merriam Webster is considered quite authoritative in any school in America.

Disputing Merriam-Webster as a credible and authoritative Dictionary just makes someone look like a complete moron. Anyone here in America--and I suspect many other places as well--would likely laugh at anyone attempting to maintain such an argument.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Shrieking Banshee on November 04, 2021, 06:01:04 PM
Anselyn, ignoring directed insults or the like:
The problem with 'change verbiage to avoid offense' is a dead end intilectually because offense is purely subjective.
The solution is to teach people not to get offended, not to strike off more and more words off the dictionary to please a fickle public.

The 'We changed it 30 years ago' thing, more shows that to be a utterly flawed philosophy that has led us down a path of hypersensitivity and the censorship of the self or others.

Edit: And I disagree with Geeky calling you names since you seem to be operating out of good faith.

I agree with Geeky that you seem to be mistaken here. Anselyn make a passive aggressive remark at him, which casts doubt at him being in "Good Faith". Geeky is just being more direct.

Quote from: GeekyBugle on November 04, 2021, 06:10:23 PM
Sorry to inform you this but language evolves and given the numbers such evolution isn't being driven by the UK.

Hmm. If only we could think of an example from fantasy gaming where language has evolved ....

Quote from: SHARK on November 04, 2021, 06:33:36 PM
Greetings!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary isn't considered authoritative in Britain?

Who knew?

*Shrugs* Oh well. Merriam Webster is considered quite authoritative in any school in America.

Disputing Merriam-Webster as a credible and authoritative Dictionary just makes someone look like a complete moron. Anyone here in America--and I suspect many other places as well--would likely laugh at anyone attempting to maintain such an argument.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Well my good fellow, we all know those damn colonials can't speak the Queens English! Would you care for a cup of tea?

Quote from: SHARK on November 04, 2021, 06:33:36 PM
Greetings!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary isn't considered authoritative in Britain?

Who knew?

Who knew?

Ah, SHARK, you cant expect to randomly change English words and then be expected to be an authoritative source on the English language.

I mean if you cant spell Armour Class properly then what can you do?  Merriam Webster had one job!

Dictionary definitions for linguistic debates is a stupid thing to do.

Otherwise feminist means just respecting women.

Quote from: SHARK on November 04, 2021, 06:33:36 PM
Disputing Merriam-Webster as a credible and authoritative Dictionary just makes someone look like a complete moron. Anyone here in America--and I suspect many other places as well--would likely laugh at anyone attempting to maintain such an argument.

Evening SHARK!

I must say that I imagine SHARK to be a persona you play well here - and likewise I feel obliged to play a snobby Brit at times.  As much as anything to illustrate the the internet is not congruent with America.

You are of course right about Merriam-Webster: 268 milliion US native speakers have the majority. So what does the credible and authoritive source say: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylactery.

Definition of phylactery
1 : either of two small square leather boxes containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and traditionally worn on the left arm and on the head by observant Jewish men and especially adherents of Orthodox Judaism during morning weekday prayers

2 : amulet

So, I guess (1.) means the default or major usage?  This is certanily the first thing you find if you look up phylactery having read it for the first time in a fantasy setting.  That might strike someone as odd? I'm so glad it means amulet too.