General Discussion

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)

60. Well put. I think that is the context best used to judge this whole thing.

Fri May 16, 2014, 11:17 AM

May 2014

Last edited Fri May 16, 2014, 12:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Several countries (not to mention regions within countries) use English and have their own slang and slurs and different meanings for various words. OP found that a politician in Australia used a word that has a very offensive connotation here and posted it not understanding the cultural difference (Edited to add, the OP commented and indicated that I was wrong about the italicized part). Several folks here piled on also not understanding or caring to understand the cultural difference.

No one responding suggested that the word being discussed is anything other than horrifically offensive here in the US to the point that it should never be used.

Edit #2 - And also to your point, its a good idea not to try to use slang in countries unless you are really familiar with how it will be received.

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Australia's Opposition Leader Just Called A C**t In Parliament [View all] alcibiades_mystery May 2014 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author dipsydoodle May 2014 #1

Really?...Nice to know you believe in calling women "cunts" whathehell May 2014 #3

The opposition leader is Bill Shorten dipsydoodle May 2014 #4

Not relevant. whathehell May 2014 #5

Thanks. theHandpuppet May 2014 #8

Then why did you say women? Violet_Crumble May 2014 #9

Saying he's horrible because he's comparable to a woman's body part gollygee May 2014 #11

I'm just saying how it's used in Australia. Violet_Crumble May 2014 #23

Sure, but the vast differences in usage between the US and the Commonwealth countries are still real Lizzie Poppet May 2014 #91

So when teenagers call their straight friends 'f**s' that's OK and not a homophobic slur? redqueen May 2014 #16

Maybe you should fly over here and educate the Australian population... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #24

" it's the most fucking horrific thing ever " redqueen May 2014 #27

Is there a chance yr interested in learning about cultural differences? Violet_Crumble May 2014 #31

And straight kids here who used 'gay' as an insult could use that same excuse. redqueen May 2014 #35

There's no excuse. I'm telling you how it's used here... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #37

"Form a SWAT team" ... WTF is it with you and ridiculous hyperbole? redqueen May 2014 #40

Actually, I thought it was low-key witty humour... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #43

And we should all just change over here in the USA because Australians do something. boston bean May 2014 #46

No, and no-one's said anything like that... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #47

I don't know. How does discussing the way it is here translate into boston bean May 2014 #48

Because the OP is about something said in the Australian parliament, that's why.... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #49

Well, you do fine reciprocating the telling off. boston bean May 2014 #52

The only thing I see pipi_k May 2014 #95

I'm not outraged boston bean May 2014 #97

Actually, pipi_k May 2014 #114

Really, you didn't say this to me: boston bean May 2014 #133

Then perhaps you should look a little more clearly whathehell May 2014 #239

In my American subculture we used "retarded" freely. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #54

Well put. I think that is the context best used to judge this whole thing. stevenleser May 2014 #60

I guess I wasn't clear. We live in an age of global communication Gormy Cuss May 2014 #121

Sorry, but Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #169

You're right, but this word is still considered vulgar in those other places too. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #172

That doesn't work for several reasons. stevenleser May 2014 #181

So even though I cited an Australian applied linguist who studied expletives Gormy Cuss May 2014 #185

Thats like climate change denialists citing one scientist they managed to find who agrees with them stevenleser May 2014 #188

The Buzzfeed writer claims that wog is benign even though the example disproves that. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #189

Wog's one of those words that's changed over the years... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #262

Is there a chance YOU are?...In case you didn't notice, whathehell May 2014 #138

We're all guests here. pintobean May 2014 #141

Not in the same way, not at all whathehell May 2014 #148

I see. pintobean May 2014 #152

Yeah, lol, "American privilege"..That's the ticket. whathehell May 2014 #257

I try. pintobean May 2014 #259

If Violet's a guest, then you've outraged the laws of hospitality. Fact is, we msanthrope May 2014 #197

I wonder if that means that EarlG's a guest as well? Violet_Crumble May 2014 #201

Or even Americans abroad that can appreciate how different cultures and countries maddezmom May 2014 #204

Canadian, I thought.....nt msanthrope May 2014 #215

EarlG is a Brit maddezmom May 2014 #221

Right, then! Carry on! nt msanthrope May 2014 #222

I think not.. whathehell May 2014 #202

Well...you ain't the host. And considering that 1/3 of our hosts aren't American, msanthrope May 2014 #214

Wait -- You're saying that I "ain't a host" but the supposedly"1/3 non-Americans ARE? whathehell May 2014 #217

You seem unaware of the nationalities of admin. Please proceed. nt msanthrope May 2014 #220

Apparently that's "nationality", singular, and whatever that's worth, I'm well aware whathehell May 2014 #224

Since you're the only one making this silly claim pintobean May 2014 #227

Really?...Gee, I see several people agreeing with me, lol whathehell May 2014 #233

Who else is claiming this American privilege pintobean May 2014 #235

Actually, I was referring whathehell May 2014 #237

Host as in admins. tammywammy May 2014 #223

The "host" is DU...Admins aren't happening without members whathehell May 2014 #226

I'd advise retreat. MADem May 2014 #228

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #154

"Vicious hatred of men?" nomorenomore08 May 2014 #157

I'm sorry you feel that way LordGlenconner May 2014 #161

No. the only fucking duck here is in your head. nm Cha May 2014 #180

Thank you...n/t whathehell May 2014 #265

"This isn't America"??...Well, it sure isn't OZ or the UK...I know your KEYBOARD is in Australia, whathehell May 2014 #241

..... maddezmom May 2014 #242

.... whathehell May 2014 #243

The freaking article is about a pol in Australia maddezmom May 2014 #244

I KNOW what the freaking article is about, and whathehell May 2014 #250

The politician who used the word is in Australia and used it in our context... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #260

I too am gobsmacked that they still don't get it. You are right on with this: stevenleser May 2014 #261

I suspect they're intent on never getting it... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #263

You accidentally hit upon something there. You know that 'f--s' are cigarettes in the UK, right? stevenleser May 2014 #50

And in Australia as well... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #53

FYI...tge filthiest word I've ever read on DU regarding women........ msanthrope May 2014 #198

Urgh. That was sick and revolting... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #200

Oh....the "academic" use of that word is defensible, apparently. In fact if you msanthrope May 2014 #216

LOL! redqueen May 2014 #57

It really is funny how hard you are working to not get it. stevenleser May 2014 #62

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #67

Backed up by natives living their whole lives there, American expats, American visitors, etc. stevenleser May 2014 #71

Do you seriously think it has another meaning entirely? redqueen May 2014 #79

I am 100% certain the meaning is different. stevenleser May 2014 #84

I wonder if they call people fags over there in London? boston bean May 2014 #85

Here is a link that speaks to that, but it's not typical stevenleser May 2014 #104

Those two words are not interchangeable. One's a cigarette, the other, a meatball. MADem May 2014 #238

FYI, I am not the alerter on the post of yours that was hidden. I know you can't respond. nt stevenleser May 2014 #99

Speaking of which can someone please post the jury results? Thanks nt stevenleser May 2014 #100

Hey, it's a cultural thing man, back off. AtheistCrusader May 2014 #131

+1000 whathehell May 2014 #134

"how far a few people are bending over backwards to defend misogynist slurs"...Exactly. whathehell May 2014 #255

Quite aside from propriety branded meat balls dipsydoodle May 2014 #63

LOL, yes, I recommend a rebrand/repackaging if sold in the US. stevenleser May 2014 #75

My Welsh grandma used to make those geardaddy May 2014 #81

I've never tried them dipsydoodle May 2014 #96

Haha! geardaddy May 2014 #98

There's a huge swing dance camp in Herräng , Sweden every July. dipsydoodle May 2014 #102

What exactly is a "West Country sauce"? I know what the West Country is, but... nomorenomore08 May 2014 #159

No idea dipsydoodle May 2014 #160

I've found it for you. dipsydoodle May 2014 #168

Interesting. Thanks for the info. n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #191

in the UK sabbat hunter May 2014 #70

The word does not have an alternate meaning there. redqueen May 2014 #74

according to sabbat hunter May 2014 #112

She can't respond as she had a post hidden under this OP. No evidence will sway her anyway stevenleser May 2014 #113

you will sabbat hunter May 2014 #156

You really don't get it, do you? whathehell May 2014 #7

When DU starts viewing "prick" as an intolerable gender slur... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #12

Gender slurs of all types need to go the way of the dinosaurs theHandpuppet May 2014 #14

Yeah and don't say 'cracker' either! It's totally just as bad as the n word! redqueen May 2014 #18

Well, "cocksucker" is banned by DU as a slur against whathehell May 2014 #130

Oh snap! shenmue May 2014 #2

Charming Bosonic May 2014 #6

The word doesn't have nearly the same connotation in the UK and Australia as here. stevenleser May 2014 #10

Presented without comment: Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #15

So unsurprising coming from you. redqueen May 2014 #19

LMAO. What is unsurprising? That I recognize cultural differences? What is your expectation here? stevenleser May 2014 #22

I think yr wasting yr breath, Steven... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #25

I know but its unbelievable. It's a simple matter of reality. How can she dispute it coming from you stevenleser May 2014 #33

It's one of the more bizarre exchanges I've had at DU... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #42

Colour, labour, favour... pipi_k May 2014 #77

When I was in middle school, our English teacher, an American, Skidmore May 2014 #162

We are an Empire! Scruffy Rumbler May 2014 #34

Lol. True. Hassin Bin Sober May 2014 #61

in general I agree, there is a cultural difference in the usage Kali May 2014 #88

+1 geardaddy May 2014 #101

Oh, FGS! pipi_k May 2014 #56

I post on a lot of international boards Warpy May 2014 #176

forget about it. Enough of us know you're right...about cultural differences NightWatcher May 2014 #36

And we should also realize that DU is full of prudes. TransitJohn May 2014 #55

also seems to be full of jerks who call women names Kali May 2014 #106

This message was self-deleted by its author TransitJohn May 2014 #126

stevenleser, I seldom agree with you, but on THIS, bvar22 May 2014 #178

It is shocking to use it in the UK! Rosa Luxemburg May 2014 #206

Very shocking, and I can't imagine it being used in Parliament by ANYONE... LeftishBrit May 2014 #249

OMG! Arrest him at once, and then send him to gitmo! quinnox May 2014 #13

False dichotomy gollygee May 2014 #17

These reactions are so revealing. nt redqueen May 2014 #20

Apparently, other DUers think it's okay to use that word... chervilant May 2014 #21

In Australia it is okay to use that word, just not in Parliament... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #28

It's good to hear from an Australian mokawanis May 2014 #167

First, we're not in Australia. chervilant May 2014 #195

But the person who used that word in the OP *is* in Australia... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #199

Well said. pintobean May 2014 #203

The same handful of people are here to minimize, defend & excuse misogynist slurs. Same as usual. nt redqueen May 2014 #29

No, as I've told you repeatedly, it isn't used as a misogynistic slur here... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #38

The fact that you still don't understand that your excuse is a meaningless rationalization redqueen May 2014 #41

Like I've already told you, it's not an excuse. It's how it's used here... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #44

Yeppers. chervilant May 2014 #174

no one used any word of that type in the post you alerted to 2pooped2pop May 2014 #30

I did not alert. chervilant May 2014 #173

What a bogus alert, thought police trying to control quinnox May 2014 #32

Hmmm, about this alert: Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #116

I guess I assumed u were the alerter 2pooped2pop May 2014 #175

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #26

As pointed out above, it doesn't mean the same thing in other LittleBlue May 2014 #39

That really chaps my fanny. sl8 May 2014 #45

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service Capt. Obvious May 2014 #59

Wow. sl8 May 2014 #68

Funny ProudToBeBlueInRhody May 2014 #125

Bloody Hell what a bunch of wankers Ichingcarpenter May 2014 #51

Not really... pipi_k May 2014 #65

Bloody refers to females wankers to males Ichingcarpenter May 2014 #72

Oh yeah... pipi_k May 2014 #82

women don't do pissing matches Ichingcarpenter May 2014 #90

Since he's male, I don't think it's that big a deal. Donald Ian Rankin May 2014 #58

A lot of juries in this thread already Capt. Obvious May 2014 #64

The bat signal went up. /nt pintobean May 2014 #66

No shit Capt. Obvious May 2014 #69

No guano pintobean May 2014 #76

Rally the troops Capt. Obvious May 2014 #73

No one is laughing about the use of the word here. I don't see why that person found it necessary to stevenleser May 2014 #80

Holy shit... pipi_k May 2014 #87

This message was self-deleted by its author Nye Bevan May 2014 #129

Note to Americans: Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #78

And people direct 'bitch' at men and use it in a jovial way here too. redqueen May 2014 #83

Which is, again, completely irrelevant to how the word is used in Australian or British English. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #86

Exact same excuse used to justify using 'bitch'. redqueen May 2014 #89

Not really, no Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #92

This kind of obliviousness to cultural differences is not something I expected to see on DU stevenleser May 2014 #93

Are there any words in American English that are considered more offensive in England or Australia? Throd May 2014 #103

The only thing that comes to mind is the word 'Randy' which unfortunately is a not uncommon name stevenleser May 2014 #109

A TV character in a Uk drama with this guys legitimate name Bosonic May 2014 #118

... nomorenomore08 May 2014 #163

"Fanny" refers to the female genitals in UK/Aus/NZ English and is considered somewhat vulgar. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #110

"Wanker" is more offensive in the UK than the US. Nye Bevan May 2014 #122

The extreme US-centric insularity that you are displaying in this thread Nye Bevan May 2014 #124

Just as a clarification, I'm well aware of how the word is used in British and Australian contexts alcibiades_mystery May 2014 #94

Note to Brits: DU is an American progressive board, like it or not whathehell May 2014 #132

Link to those rules? pintobean May 2014 #135

As you can see from it's awesome number of recs (2).. whathehell May 2014 #139

I was referring to jurors. pintobean May 2014 #147

The jurors didn't have to "hide" at least one post whathehell May 2014 #150

"a number of people here feel as I do" pintobean May 2014 #165

heh heh heh Capt. Obvious May 2014 #170

No, dear... whathehell May 2014 #210

No? It appears you felt the need pintobean May 2014 #211

No. Try reading the thread. whathehell May 2014 #218

I don't see anyone using the word under discussion as an insult directed at another poster. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #140

It doesn't matter... whathehell May 2014 #145

As long as you understand it doesn't mean the same thing when used by Brits or Australians. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #155

I understand it well, Spider..If you read my initial posts you can see my reference to it.. whathehell May 2014 #212

... SidDithers May 2014 #179

Hey, Sid pintobean May 2014 #207

Clowns... SidDithers May 2014 #231

Pretty sure everyone is welcome here maddezmom May 2014 #205

Everyone is, if they observe the rules and conduct themselves respectfully. whathehell May 2014 #208

It was.created by an American and a Brit maddezmom May 2014 #209

It's focus remains American politics and the majority of its members are Americans. whathehell May 2014 #219

So the minority from other countries should just STFU when the topics are about maddezmom May 2014 #225

Um, no, but good try. whathehell May 2014 #229

I am not confused maddezmom May 2014 #230

Perhaps not confused, but certainly whathehell May 2014 #234

LOL! maddezmom May 2014 #236

There is no evidence pintobean May 2014 #232

"this thread seems to have played well for Americans and others" whathehell May 2014 #240

Speaking of recs. maddezmom May 2014 #245

I clicked on the link.. whathehell May 2014 #246

Read through it maddezmom May 2014 #248

Did you find it yet? maddezmom May 2014 #252

No. I went through all 449 replies and didn't see my name anywhere.. whathehell May 2014 #253

Well you did. You might want to unrec it if it was in error. maddezmom May 2014 #254

How can you tell if I 'recced" if I don't post it in a thread? whathehell May 2014 #256

You brought up recs, so I asked you maddezmom May 2014 #258

Here is a good video about the C-word and its origins StevieM May 2014 #105

That was great. pintobean May 2014 #108

A lot of the curse words I learned in Spain have a different meaning or no meaning elsewhere. Throd May 2014 #107

Thats just how they introduce each other in other English speaking countries. Its a term of Erose999 May 2014 #111

He's going to have to eat every chicken in this room mwrguy May 2014 #115

"You're quite right, old cock" edbermac May 2014 #117

I'm actually embarrassed for some of the posters on this thread. Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #119

Howler monkey mania 1000words May 2014 #120

I'm dissappointed your post survived. AtheistCrusader May 2014 #127

I'm actually quite embarassed by provincial know-nothings intaglio May 2014 #136

I didn't say any of those things you're in a snit about. Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #142

No, you made a generalisation in reference to Australians being more tolerant of profanity intaglio May 2014 #143

I think you have mistaken me for some other poster. Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #146

May I quote your foolish remark intaglio May 2014 #149

What you posted doesn't support your argument... Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #153

You claimed, in essence, that some people are not tolerant of Australian sensibilities intaglio May 2014 #166

... Comrade Grumpy May 2014 #171

This is one of 3-5 really bizarre threads under this OP. stevenleser May 2014 #177

There are certainly quite a few "provincial no-nothings" posting in this thread. Nye Bevan May 2014 #144

I agree; you, for example intaglio May 2014 #151

So am I. I can't see how anyone could take some of them seriously again after this display. Marr May 2014 #164

The main lesson from this thread is that more Americans should get passports, Nye Bevan May 2014 #123

The patriarchy thanks you Capt. Obvious May 2014 #128

And the offending word in this case is still regarded as profanity even in Australia intaglio May 2014 #137

Have you encountered any Australians saying it's not a profanity? Violet_Crumble May 2014 #182

Thanks for taking the time to post in this thread. Nye Bevan May 2014 #183

Yeah, it has started to get a bit frustrating... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #184

It's smug, sanctimonious self-righteousness combined with caricature of ugly American provincialism. stevenleser May 2014 #187

Short answer, yes intaglio May 2014 #190

I find it hard to believe that anyone here would think that word isn't a profanity... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #192

I do believe it to be profanity intaglio May 2014 #194

I don't think that person is really paying attention to what you or anyone else writes. stevenleser May 2014 #213

This reminds of that man who forced to resign for using the word "niggardly". Marr May 2014 #158

Awesome. Everyone has better pols than we do. PeteSelman May 2014 #186

You can have Chris Pyne and Tony Abbott... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #193

That's not what I meant. PeteSelman May 2014 #264

The word isn't as taboo in Australia as it is here. Hosnon May 2014 #196

Charming language LeftishBrit May 2014 #247

Michael Gove in the Naughty Chair..... Nye Bevan May 2014 #251