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Rules of thumb on when something's offensive/slur/innappropriate:

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CreekDog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:10 PM
Original message
Rules of thumb on when something's offensive/slur/innappropriate:
Edited on Thu May-26-11 04:20 PM by CreekDog
Is the word pejoratively used generally on a person/group with a physical/mental/unchangeable characteristic?

Is the word pejoratively used generally on someone of a specific gender or race?

Is the word generally used pejoratively to describe or make fun of someone with a physical or mental challenge?

Does the word enhance or contribute to stereotypical views, or encourage statements about people with one of the above characteristics? (x group is all smart, bookworms, y group runs fast, z group good with money, xy group has sticky fingers, etc.)

If any of the above are the case, the term you're using is going to cause problems.

Now you may feel it's appropriate given the point you are trying to make (and no, a certain presidential candidate and the interview of this person's mother over a decade ago doesn't mean you're in the clear when you use one particular term)...but i digress

Rather than being the language police, I just want to point out that using the term pretty much renders intelligent discussion of the point you're trying to make impossible. That is unless your interest in using the term was to talk about why they exemplify that term in the first place.

I'm not saying use or don't use all terms, but generally speaking, that is the right answer. But I'm realistic and I did laugh at Tropic Thunder (albeit nervously in reference to a term I'm uncomfortable with).

That said, even if you feel justified in using a term, don't act surprised and mortified when someone calls you out on it. That's almost as annoying as using offensive terms in the first place.

:hide:

(on edit, refined this a little adding "pejorative")
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Hannah Bell Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:11 PM
Response to Original message
1. easier rule of thumb: personal insults are rude.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:13 PM
Response to Original message
2. Deleted message
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yawnmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:15 PM
Response to Original message
3. The first two rules of thumb are too general...
Edited on Thu May-26-11 04:15 PM by yawnmaster
"men", "women", "brunette", "tall", fits one or both and are not normally offensive unless used with the latter two.

that being said, I agree with what Hannah says above.
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1awake Donating Member (852 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:15 PM
Response to Original message
4. Using the phrase "rule of thumb"
in this scenario might be considered inappropriate.. just saying. ;)
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jorno67 Donating Member (906 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:17 PM
Response to Original message
5. If you can say it or type it - someone will be offended.
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blondeatlast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:34 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. And they are entitled to their offense.
Edited on Thu May-26-11 04:37 PM by blondeatlast
"Political correctness" is a handy-dandy tool of the right wing to legitimate rudeness, bigotry, and hatred and to diminish the voice of victims of same.

Yeah, I saw your apology and your clever (but unsuccessful) rewind at the end.
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pipi_k Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 05:52 PM
Response to Reply #5
10. that's true, but....
Any reasonably intelligent adult knows...or should know...what is likely to offend someone.

Vile names is one of those things.

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jorno67 Donating Member (906 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. yes - but then you get into the debate of what is vulger to
One person may not vulgar to another. And I'm not talking about the big ones - more the borderline stuff.
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HopeHoops Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
6. I think "FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!" can safely be filed under "rude".
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provis99 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 05:07 PM
Response to Original message
8. "rule of thumb" is misogynist.
It refers to the width of the stick you are legally allowed to use to beat your wife.
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indepat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
9. May I proffer that virtually any pejorative is apropos if speaking of
cockamamie cockalorums of a virulent uber-right persuasion who spew mendacious, duplicitous, disingenuous, and reichous hypocrisy? :patriot:
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bemildred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
11. Insulting some people is a duty and an honor, but don't expect to be thanked for it. nt
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Johonny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu May-26-11 06:20 PM
Response to Original message
12. insults are insulting use them when you wish to insult
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