On language

[Iris]

Elsewhere there is a defence of the word "gammon" as a term of abuse because it's punching up. I disagreed when I read it, and I disagree more now having seen many more uses. This article last week crystallised my disagreement: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ds-of-2018

It may be applied to people who are privileged by virtue of their being white and male, but by and large that's the end of their privilege. We are, mostly, affluent, educated, international in outlook, resilient to change, reasonably young or at least young at heart. We have not had our certainties undermined by decades of change, because we understand there are few certainties and never have been.

(I also think imposing binary categories on the world is wrong, and generally unhelpful. I've recently read a book which has a virtuoso exposée on the topic. But that's a separate post.)

[Regulator]

I refer the Honorable Member to an answer given earlier...


No, ‘gammon’ is not a racial slur. Now let’s change the conversation.

[The Real Ravenhurst]

Noor agreed that it's not a racial slur - she's just suggesting it isn't useful. I'm sort of inclined to agree - I think it was a glorious appellation when first used about the angry and horrible men on QT, but its moment has passed and it seems divisive and counterproductive in casual use.

[Iris]

I refer the Honorable Member to an answer given earlier...


No, ‘gammon’ is not a racial slur. Now let’s change the conversation.

Did the Honourable member suggest it was, or has the pattern of responding to what you hoped had been posted rather than what was posted leaked over here?

[Regulator]

An apposite tweet from Baldrick Tony Robinson:

“I’m not a fan of bad language on twitter. Cursing rather than choosing the right word for the occasion is a little ignorant. Nevertheless following his behaviour over the WW1 memorial ceremony in France it has to be said - President Trump is a cunt, isn’t he.”

[Rutabaga]

An apposite tweet from Baldrick Tony Robinson:

“I’m not a fan of bad language on twitter. Cursing rather than choosing the right word for the occasion is a little ignorant. Nevertheless following his behaviour over the WW1 memorial ceremony in France it has to be said - President Trump is a cunt, isn’t he.”

Where's crinkly when you need her?
Anyway, Tony Robinson is a twat. Oops, soz.

[Rocky]

I’ve posted this elsewhere but I get a cathartic feeling from saying (and writing) gammon. It feels like a payback for every time I’ve felt annoyed at members of the baby boomer generation for calling millennials snowflakes. My thesis is that kids today are no different than kids when I was a kid. I know it’s not big or clever gratuitously to say gammon. But it does make me feel better.

[Dunckel]

I’ve posted this elsewhere but I get a cathartic feeling from saying (and writing) gammon. It feels like a payback for every time I’ve felt annoyed at members of the baby boomer generation for calling millennials snowflakes. My thesis is that kids today are no different than kids when I was a kid. I know it’s not big or clever gratuitously to say gammon. But it does make me feel better.

I think we remoaning libtards should stop being triggered and suck it up.

Why should the right have all the best insults.

[Iris]

Why should the right have all the best insults.

Because insults are a substitute for argument, and they have no arguments to stand on.