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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 2, 2009 16:37:38 GMT 1
I suppose in time, many words lose whatever meaning they used to have, and people give new ones to them, and they stick.
Language is constantly evolving and one generation's slang can be another's verbose showing off, fifty years or so later. Now 'Hello' is our most common greeting instead of an expression of surprise, for example. People just forget what they used to mean and where the word came from.
However, I am watching the (incredible) PG-rated children's film 'Coraline' here, and she (a child played by Dokota Fanning) just called somebody a 'jerk wad'. I was surprised!
Either the phrase has lost its meaning very quickly indeed, or this director is hoping it has!
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Post by Rascarin on Nov 2, 2009 16:57:16 GMT 1
I don't think most people know what "jerk-wad" really means...
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Post by Zarsthor on Nov 2, 2009 16:58:28 GMT 1
Well the english language is so bastardised and filled with new and old words from other languages I'm surprised we ever manage a conversation. Some of our words are referenced from another language and the meaning we carry for the word is different from the original languages meaning. I'd rather think of it as progress than destruction of language. The proper english and grammar we stand by now would be looked at in utter confusion 100 years ago. Its just as the world changes around us and people develop as a species we need to ammend and add to increase understanding between one another. Though I will say that the way modernisation of language is occuring seems to be coarse and crude. Rather than developing ideas we are lowering our tolerances.
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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 2, 2009 17:01:55 GMT 1
I'd rather think of it as progress than destruction of language. I think it's a bit of both. But yes, it's all relative. What sounds like good English to us would sound like gibberish to people a few hundred years back. Good points Zars. The jerkwad thing didn't upset me or anything. I just found it very amusing that you can now say that word in a PG film.
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Nov 9, 2009 3:30:57 GMT 1
Well... there are outrageous things happened in children's film nowdays... don't be too suprised. I've reacalled a few disney films had someone said hell a couple of times
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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 9, 2009 3:37:51 GMT 1
Ah, hell is a good word - kids should be encouraged to say damn and hell!
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Nov 9, 2009 4:31:22 GMT 1
I agree too.
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Post by Zarsthor on Nov 9, 2009 15:53:17 GMT 1
I personally think kids should be encouraged to like custard and spinning rather than inflammatory words.
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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 10, 2009 15:15:04 GMT 1
Good point Zars ;D
I think a bit of both, though... "May I please have some more DAMN custard, daddy?"
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Post by Zarsthor on Nov 11, 2009 1:11:59 GMT 1
awww I just imagined a child calling you daddy then Buch. Your children will have annoying grammar skills and big bushy beards whilst exclaiming profanities.
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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 11, 2009 2:12:03 GMT 1
They sound like damn fine children!
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Post by Rascarin on Nov 11, 2009 2:34:29 GMT 1
Bearded children?
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Post by Zarsthor on Nov 11, 2009 2:39:24 GMT 1
Epic bearded children!
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Post by Mister Buch on Nov 11, 2009 2:41:45 GMT 1
Little bearded girls.
Actually my beard is pretty weak. There are blotches, and no moustache as I may possible have mentioned before. The children won't be bearded unless the mother is particularly hairy.
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Post by Rascarin on Nov 11, 2009 2:43:25 GMT 1
I wonder... can you get beard-wigs?
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