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Forum Thread

The word 'rape'

3,834 187 May 29, 2011 at 07:26 AM in Question
Some of you have already read this because I posted this on my fb status but I feel like its worth repeating. We bought (financed) a mattress today and the guy who was selling it to us told us to make sure to pay it off before the interest free period ends because "They will rape you, they will absolutely rape you, they won't even take you to dinner first."
Was that okay for him to say? I thought it was unprofessional and I personally would never use the word rape in every day context like that. It takes away from the severity of the meaning.
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Joined Jul 2009
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PaintTheSkyGrey
05-29-2011 at 10:05 AM.
05-29-2011 at 10:05 AM.
Language evolves.

They're only words. You choose what you make of them.
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i inspire travel
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serra | Staff
05-29-2011 at 10:11 AM.
05-29-2011 at 10:11 AM.
Quote from calistyle :
Most inappropriately overused word: retarded Girly
yea, that's another good example.

i'm guilty of this one. i called a bunch of mods 'tards in the mod lounge.
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Joined Aug 2005
Baldilocks
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emelvee
05-29-2011 at 10:13 AM.
05-29-2011 at 10:13 AM.
Quote from calistyle :
Most inappropriately overused word: retarded Girly
That too. Mainly because severely developmentally disabled (or whatever the preferred term is these days) can't generally speak out for themselves.

Spread the Word to End the Word
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Joined Oct 2009
L∞: Pro Bono
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calistyle
05-29-2011 at 10:36 AM.
05-29-2011 at 10:36 AM.
Quote from emelvee :
That too. Mainly because severely developmentally disabled (or whatever the preferred term is these days) can't generally speak out for themselves.

Spread the Word to End the Word
That's the preferred term these days. Thumbup
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Joined Dec 2006
nope.
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wuzzy | Staff
05-29-2011 at 10:56 AM.
05-29-2011 at 10:56 AM.
Quote from serra :
yeah, that was inappropriate, utr.


another over-used word is "gay". gay used to mean happy, then sexual orientation and now it means stupid. kids today are saying "oh that song is so gay" or "that video was gay".

i don't believe they mean it in derogatory sense, i think the word has evolved like the way it used to mean "happy"
Ever see the Hilary Duff commercial?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVicCD8FmMs

Gay now has more than 1 definition. Urbandictionary FTW.
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
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Iaaaiws
05-29-2011 at 11:41 AM.
05-29-2011 at 11:41 AM.
I very seldom hear the word rape used out of context in my daily life and while it doesn't horrify me when someone uses the word inappropriately it does get my attention.

In fact, every time I hear the Police song "Do do do de da da da" the use of the word gets my attention and I've always been somewhat uncomfortable with its application there. I don't think the irony of its use was unintentional in a song about meaningless words.



Don't think me unkind
Words are hard to find
They're only cheques I've left unsigned
From the banks of chaos in my mind
And when their eloquence escapes me
Their logic ties me up and rapes me
*
*
*
*
Poets, priests and politicians
Have words to thank for their positions
Words that scream for your submission
And no-one's jamming their transmission
And when their eloquence escapes you
Their logic ties you up and rapes you
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Joined Jun 2006
Dark Lord of the Culdesac
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Jex
05-29-2011 at 11:47 AM.
05-29-2011 at 11:47 AM.
Quote from UTR :
Some of you have already read this because I posted this on my fb status but I feel like its worth repeating. We bought (financed) a mattress today and the guy who was selling it to us told us to make sure to pay it off before the interest free period ends because "They will rape you, they will absolutely rape you, they won't even take you to dinner first."
Was that okay for him to say? I thought it was unprofessional and I personally would never use the word rape in every day context like that. It takes away from the severity of the meaning.
It was not ok for him to say. And Iagree, I would not use it in every day context. Personally, I would complain to his manager.
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The Mayor of Moleterd
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JSinger
05-29-2011 at 11:56 AM.
05-29-2011 at 11:56 AM.
I wouldn't use it in any context other than an actual rape. It minimizes the act and it's victims, and besides, it's just inappropriate. Some people, like your seller, have no real social skills and no boundaries for acceptable behavior.
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The Mayor of Moleterd
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JSinger
05-29-2011 at 11:59 AM.
05-29-2011 at 11:59 AM.
Quote from PaintTheSkyGrey :
Language evolves.

They're only words. You choose what you make of them.
That's exactly right, you witless wonder, you useless boil on the buttocks of SD.

Rofl2
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PaintTheSkyGrey
05-29-2011 at 12:01 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:01 PM.
I would like someone to explain to my why the colloquialization of certain words is unacceptable. Words are nothing more than a method of transmitting thoughts. Language and diction are not written in stone (insert rosetta stone joke here), but are an ever-changing lexicon that adjusts to the flow of thoughts and ideas.

Rape victims do not have a monopoly on the word "rape", homosexuals on the word "gay", nor the mentally handicapped on the word "retarded". The sooner people stop choosing to get offended by these words, the better off we will all be. Taking "retarded", for instance. If the mentally challenged were not introduced to the concept of this word being used to refer to them in a negative manner, the issue of its use would not exist. Calling someone "retarded" would be no different than calling them "slow", or "stupid". Should we strike those words from our language, because they have the potential to offend others?

Where do we draw the line? Is doubleplusgood newspeak the ultimate goal?

Quote from JSinger :
That's exactly right, you witless wonder, you useless boil on the buttocks of SD.

Rofl2
Since you seem to take the issue so seriously, you can be the first to respond to my post. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Thanks.
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Last edited by PaintTheSkyGrey May 29, 2011 at 12:02 PM.
Joined Aug 2007
The Mayor of Moleterd
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JSinger
05-29-2011 at 12:07 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:07 PM.
Quote from PaintTheSkyGrey :
Since you seem to take the issue so seriously, you can be the first to respond to my post. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Thanks.

My last post ( the one responding to you ) was a JOKE. Were you born without a sense of humour or did it just go right over your head?
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PaintTheSkyGrey
05-29-2011 at 12:08 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:08 PM.
Quote from JSinger :
My last post ( the one responding to you ) was a JOKE. Were you born without a sense of humour or did it just go right over your head?
Coupled with your previous post, it appeared that you were trying to make some sort of a point. It's not my place to attempt to judge how effective or witty said point is.
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The Mayor of Moleterd
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JSinger
05-29-2011 at 12:10 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:10 PM.
Quote from PaintTheSkyGrey :
Coupled with your previous post, it appeared that you were trying to make some sort of a point. It's not my place to attempt to judge how effective or witty said point is.

I have no point to make. Dontknow
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Joined May 2006
I don't like you either
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Original Poster
UTR
05-29-2011 at 12:11 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:11 PM.
Quote from Jex :
It was not ok for him to say. And Iagree, I would not use it in every day context. Personally, I would complain to his manager.
Under any other circumstances I would absolutely agree but he was really wonderful with us in every other way, and I don't want to minimize that because of one comment he made. I'm supposed to call him Wednesday morning to confirm the delivery so I may mention it then. Also, to note.. I don't want this thread to turn into an argument... Believe it or not.
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Jex
05-29-2011 at 12:17 PM.
05-29-2011 at 12:17 PM.
Quote from UTR :
Under any other circumstances I would absolutely agree but he was really wonderful with us in every other way, and I don't want to minimize that because of one comment he made. I'm supposed to call him Wednesday morning to confirm the delivery so I may mention it then. Also, to note.. I don't want this thread to turn into an argument... Believe it or not.
You don't have too. But I believe that as he is someone who is in a professional environment, that he should use more tact when dealing with customers. Or at least try to steer away from being so offensive.
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