Sorry for the crazy topic name, but what is it with folks using the term "rape" in their threads? Is it just that I am getting old and hearing the random use of the term utterly disgusts my sensibilities? or is it just ok now to use a term like this to describe anything but the actual act?

I'm usually pretty tolerant about different folks posts and such, but I cringe everytime i see the term used to describe everything from video game conquests to street encounters. anyone care to comment?

 

I always stuck with saying robbed as opposed to raped, for the reason you hint at. Saying "I was robbed!" while playing a video game didn't seem that bad, whereas "I was raped!" seems a bit outlandish and offensive to those who've been a victim of the actual act.

I suppose, like many other things, a small number of people chose to use the term in order to magnify the value of their perceived loss, to stand out from those who were merely "robbed", "jipped" or "screwed".

 

Or how about the term "KILL"? There seems to be a lot of new terms in this world that may offend some of us. Usually, once I hear terms like that, I block out everything afterwards. The language today is appalling.

 

yes kill and rape to describe dismay or problems is a poor choice in words. Use F***. Its a much more versatile and less offessive word.

 

As long as you use certain words in the contexts of your topic, I think it is okay, I mean, I would understand someone if he /she said, "The dealer raped me on this new car I bought"or something like that, Words these days have so many different meanings as well, along with slang, but it may be a bit politically incorrect.... but this is a chat forum not congress so who cares!!

 

Evo, I disagree. Anyone who has lived through a rape as defined by Webster's finds offense in this, regardless of the context. If someone you loved was raped in the literal sense, I think that you, too, would find offense in the desensitizing of the English language in the name of slang. Anyone remember when the word "ni**er" was still offensive? I still find that one offensive too, regardless of the adoption of that term in the urban scene.

 

I don't think you can compare the word ni**er to the word rape. One is an adjective the other is a verb. Two totally different things. One is being racist and the other is talking about someone's actions. Actually.....I know a few people who were raped and not nearly as sensitive about it as all of the bleeding hearts out there.

I use the word to describe other things and feel it's OK to do so. Just look at the definition.

One entry found for rape.
Main Entry: 2rape
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): raped; rap

 

Sad as it may be, you can't legislate civility. Remember that the word "damn" was once considered a big deal when it came out in the movie "Gone with the Wind"
I don't agree with the usage of the word either, but I understand that the next generations will do what they will with the language.

I'm sounding like an old fart and I'm only 32 (of course, when I was 22, I thought 32 was REALLY REALLY OLD!)

 

I understand that we need to be sensitive to other people's feelings on the message board, and I obviously feel for anyone who has actually been put into that prediciment, because it is a horrible situation to be in, but when does it stop, I mean, lots of words, even common words may remind or offend someone due to someones history or past, but they are only words used in the english language, everyone is entitled to their own opinion about any subjects on this forum, and I just think it is not the word, but how you use it that is most important... A good example is the use of God so loosely as well (commonly used in God Damnit, or omg), this may offend some people as well because they have the curteousy to respect God's name more than that, I know that I do....... just my $.02, although if you used God in a different phrase that is not disrespectful, it would be okay, I think it relates well to what we are talking about

 

i think that some people put too much value in words. The acts or actions that some words represent are apalling and are unacceptable, but i always consider the context of a word before i decide to take it seriously or not. However...i have never been a victim of any of the aformentioned words...so it is easy for me to make such a claim. freedom of speech is a double edged sword isn't it?