My first opinion poll

Apr 05, 2004 15:04

I fully admit that I am not totally current with today's linguistic custom, so I ask all of you.

Poll How "bad" a word is fag?

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Comments 30

j_rhysdavies April 5 2004, 15:40:36 UTC
I'll be interested to see the results of this poll. I checked both "not" and "somewhat". I think of "fag" as being acceptable but perhaps not quite as PC as "gay" or "homosexual" (and I think of "queer" as being in between). To me, the distinction seems like that between "African-American", the PC term, and "Black" which is acceptable (and the term I usually use, since not all Black people are of African descent.)

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george__huff April 5 2004, 16:19:34 UTC
I also use "Black" (sometime capitalized, sometimes not). In Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans, where I'm from, many black people are of Caribbean or French (sometimes Dutch) descent.

I'm probably biased about the word "nigger." The thing that separates blacks from some other oppressed groups like Jews or homosexuals is that if a person is black, it's readily apparent in their appearance. Although black people were never rounded up and systematically murdered, a couple centuries of slavery (in many European countries, not just the US) and another century of segregation and being officially second class citizen is an awful lot of oppression. Both of my parents remember having to sit on the back of the bus when they were children, having to use Colored restrooms, that kind of thing.

Didn't mean to rant in your comments, Jack, but it irks me a little to see people getting bitchy about the word fag. It seems somewhat trivial to me.

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ru_paul April 8 2004, 21:12:52 UTC
George, I agree with you about "nigger." There are few, if any, worse words. I try to never use it myself, even with other Blacks.

Jack, like many others have said, "fag" is usually seen as derogatory when coming from someone who is straight or assumed to be straight. "Queer" is somewhat different from "gay" (which is a perfectly acceptable word). Queer generally encompasses more than just homosexuals and includes gays, lesbians, bisexuals, omnisexuals, pansexuals, transgenders, transexuals, transvestites, etc. I personally think of myself as queer, but not gay. Some queers, tho, still don't want to be called that. You're safe with "gay" as long as it's obvious you mean it in a respectful manner, of course.

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keithtkachuk April 5 2004, 18:05:49 UTC
your doggie is cuuuuuute!!!

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nicholson_jack April 8 2004, 05:01:51 UTC
thanks, Keith. He was actually just for the movie Anger Management, not mine, but I'm thinking of getting a dog again, and bulldogs are really great dogs.

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pressly_jaime April 5 2004, 21:12:04 UTC
do you mind if i ask what brought this up?

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nicholson_jack April 8 2004, 05:06:09 UTC
I don't mind a bit, doll. A friend of mine was taking a ton of heat for using the word, and I was frankly puzzled, because I didn't think it was such a bad word to use. So I thought I'd ask some other people. *shrugs* It's hard to keep current on what's acceptable and what's not.

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paradis_v April 6 2004, 11:10:23 UTC
I think this ridiculous poll and your "Fantasy 5" list are the best indicators that you have the personality of a humiliated toilet on a Saturday night. You should do yourself and everyone a favour by never appearing in public again. Believe me when I say that the world would breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Actually, I take that back. If you keep with the stupidity, you'll soon become persona non grata on your own. Maybe you'll even come to realise it without additional help from your very unfortunate acquaintances. I'll bet they're wishing that they had better judgment before. My Magic 8 Ball says the Outlook is Certain.

One last note: Don’t pretend that you know Johnny. You don’t have the slightest idea. You don’t talk to him outside those chat rooms. Chat rooms where he rarely even contributes to discussion. You could never have the privilege of knowing if he ‘talks too much’ or not. Johnny on his very worst day is still better than you on your best.

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nicholson_jack April 8 2004, 05:17:04 UTC
*throws back head and laughs*

You read far too much into things. I most certainly do not pretend to know Mr. Depp. I do not know him at all, except by some of his work, much of which I admire. I doubt that I've ever talked to him in a chat room or any sort of Hollywood gathering except perhaps to say hello to a fellow actor. I have no idea whatsoever how much he talks or doesn't in real life.

Now smooth your ruffled hackles, Little Watchdog, and go back to your chaise longue.

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nicholson_jack April 8 2004, 05:28:23 UTC
Oh yes, and as to my "ridiculous poll", perhaps you should have asked, as Miss Pressly did, what brought it up, rather than just assuming you had any clue whatsoever. Or did your Magic 8 Ball tell you that, too?

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paradis_v April 8 2004, 10:49:05 UTC
God save me, it’s the attack of the asterisks, pathetic rebuttals and laughable characterisations. And so Mr. Nicholson, instead of letting everyone assume that you’re a moron, you open your mouth and prove them all correct ( ... )

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stephen__king April 7 2004, 13:14:31 UTC
I think that this word like the others needs to be taken in context. If someone is called something that offends them, then it is a horrible word. If it is used as a way to describe someone that is derogatory or meant to be, than it shouldn't be used.
So, I guess it's up to the person who was called the name to decide and not for anyone else to say. I know I don't use it and I wouldn't call someone that, because it is to me not something you should say, because it has in the past been used by homophobic assholes to describe people who are just different than they are.

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nicholson_jack April 8 2004, 05:07:43 UTC
I appreciate your opinion as a Master of words and their nuances. Thank you.

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