[shifuimam]

Over at Consumerist, one of the main writers posted an article about a guy who's been stuck with a 24% APR on his credit card. The exact wording of the article's first sentence is as follows:

Timothy is getting raped with a 24% APR on his credit card and wants help getting it lowered.

This set off a flurry of comments about how "raped" was used inappropriately, and how such a word should only ever be used in the sexual definition of the word.

On the other hand, I used to be in a LiveJournal community where one of the mods would post "Get raped." in response to comments she didn't like. This is obviously talking about the sexual definition of the word, whereas "I got totally raped by WaMu on my mortgage!" is not.

Do you find non-sexual uses of the term "rape" to be offensive, particularly to those who have been victims of rape? Personally, I don't. I wouldn't say "Get raped." to someone, but I would say "The economy has totally raped my 403(b) this quarter" (which is true; I just looked today and I've lost nearly 25% of it).

[Dakar V]

I'm about as nonchalant about these things as possible.

[Doofy]

I'm not offended at this use of the word "rape". However, I would only actually use it in the correct sexual sense.

I'm more offended by people who call themselves "Timothy" instead of "Tim" - you just know they're going to be a barrel of laughs, don't ya?

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

'm more offended by people who call themselves "Timothy" instead of "Tim" - you just know they're going to be a barrel of laughs, don't ya?

I'll do you one better. There's a politican's sign I've seen for years who lists his name as follows:

William "Bill" Lastname

It confounds and irritates me to no end. He appears to be trying to sound formal and casual all at the same time.
I vote against him for this reason alone.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

I'll do you one better. There's a politican's sign I've seen for years who lists his name as follows:

William "Bill" Lastname

It confounds and irritates me to no end. He appears to be trying to sound formal and casual all at the same time.
I vote against him for this reason alone.

What an odd last name.

As for the use of rape for meaning ripped off, I've been using it for years - but only amongst friends. But I can see why some may be offended, especially if it hits a little too close to home.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Originally Posted by osiris 

As for the use of rape for meaning ripped off, I've been using it for years - but only amongst friends. But I can see why some may be offended, especially if it hits a little too close to home.

That's happened to me, actually. As in, I yelled "oh man, you just totally got RAPED!" – and as it turned out, that was the truth in another context.

Not a good scene. Foot way, way down the throat on that one. It's certainly narrowed my use considerably.

greg

[ort888]

I don't find it offensive in that context, but at the same time, I don't think I would use the term in a published article for fear of offending people. I can see why you would want to avoid it.

[starman]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rape?o=0

4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.

If anything, the misuse of the word is in the context that the guy signed up for a credit card and knew the APR (or should have).

However, the most common use of the word is in the sexual term. I'd have to say the word's misused.

(24%? Jeez)

[Oisín]

If anything, the misuse of the word is in the context that the guy signed up for a credit card and knew the APR (or should have).

‘Rape’ just means ‘seize’, originally. Whether by surprise or violence or not. So basically, using the term in this way is closer to its original meaning than the sexual definition.

I don’t think I use the word in that sense much, but that’s probably more because I don’t often happen to write phrases where it would fit. I can’t think of a single time when I’ve written, “Dude, you totally got raped there” or any kind of equivalent where it might have been used.

And obviously, I don’t use it in speech, either, since it’s so rare that I speak English (and there’s no corresponding use of voldtægt in Danish).

[Chuckit]

If we can use "kill" to mean "berate," I think this is OK.

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

If we can use "kill" to mean "berate," I think this is OK.

I haven't heard that one. Example?

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

I haven't heard that one. Example?

"My boss is going to kill me if I'm late on this."

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

I'm about as nonchalant about these things as possible.

You're only going to exacerbate the situation.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton 

That's happened to me, actually. As in, I yelled "oh man, you just totally got RAPED!" – and as it turned out, that was the truth in another context.

Not a good scene. Foot way, way down the throat on that one. It's certainly narrowed my use considerably.

greg

Indeed. One of my best friends got raped and pointed out that the casual use of the word "rape" trivialises that act. I've toned down my usage of it considerably since then.

Words do lose their power in casual use. People often throw away words like "rape" or "hate" leaving us without strong words for actions or emotions that deserve them.

That's not to say that some words shouldn't lose their power though, hateful slurs only benefit from being trivialised, losing their power to hurt.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

Indeed. One of my best friends got raped and pointed out that the casual use of the word "rape" trivialises that act. I've toned down my usage of it considerably since then.

Words do lose their power in casual use. People often throw away words like "rape" or "hate" leaving us without strong words for actions or emotions that deserve them.

I disagree with this. For ‘hate’, yes, I can agree that using it to mean ‘dislike’, rather than actually ‘loathe’, is probably watering down its meaning. There are plenty of synonyms to choose from, though (loathe, detest, can’t abide, abhor, X sickens/disgusts me, etc.).

But with words like ‘rape’ and ‘kill’, they’re not being washed out when used literally; they simply develop a secondary meaning which is a lot less unpleasant than the literal one. ‘Rape’ is perhaps harder to distinguish in this matter, because its secondary meaning is still rather new and finding its footage, so to speak, but saying that someone is getting raped on their phone bill doesn’t weaken the meaning of the word when used in a phrase like, “She was raped at gunpoint by two unknown perpetrators”. Nor does saying, “My boss will kill me” take anything away from the meaning of ‘kill’ when it’s used literally, as in, “He was killed in a car accident”.

It works the other way, too—plenty of people have a hard time saying, “I love you” to others, but very few people find it hard to say that they love ice cream or chocolate or Adam Sandler movies. (Okay, actually quite a few people would probably find it hard to get themselves to profess any love for Adam Sandler movies, but you get my point)

[- - e r i k - -]

Speaking of watered down words, the word "love" in the English language is my pet peeve. It describes such a huge range of emotion that it's a woefully inadequate word to describe the strongest of such.

I guess we have to agree to disagree on this one. Your view is that they can coexist based on context, mine is that words lose power when spread out over different meanings.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

words lose power when spread out over different meanings.

Good. Words shouldn't have power over you in the first place. The world will be a better place when we can stop paying more attention to words than the ideas behind them. And personally, I don't think having multiple meanings diminishes the impact of the idea behind a word. Having movie grosses doesn't make gross-out movies more palatable, and neither would make having to watch 144 movies simultaneously any less overwhelming. Similarly, saying "My boss is going to kill me" doesn't make us more accepting of murder.

[- - e r i k - -]

Not sure if you are agreeing or disagreeing with me here

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

Speaking of watered down words, the word "love" in the English language is my pet peeve. It describes such a huge range of emotion that it's a woefully inadequate word to describe the strongest of such.

“We’ll tell somebody that we love them and in the same breath, we’ll talk about how much we love a new car, or a certain pair of pants. I mean, I love my wife, and I also love tacos?”Do you think the word “love” loses its meaning when we use it for so many things?

You and Rob Bell share the same sentiment.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

You and Rob Bell share the same sentiment.

Is that Velvet Elvis or Sex God?

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by osiris 

As for the use of rape for meaning ripped off, I've been using it for years - but only amongst friends. But I can see why some may be offended, especially if it hits a little too close to home.

I think that's the safest route.

I don't make a habit out of using it, but I've said it a time or two among friends/family. I've never used it outside of that circle though. Too risky.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

I'm about as nonchalant about these things as possible.

Ever notice that "chalant" is not a real word? It is a modern slang word, but not a proper English word.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Is that Velvet Elvis or Sex God?

Nooma video 002 - Flame.

[Timothy Leary's brain]

rape
–noun
a plant, Brassica napus, of the mustard family, whose leaves are used for food for hogs, sheep, etc., and whose seeds yield rape oil.

Hmmmm?

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

Speaking of watered down words, the word "love" in the English language is my pet peeve. It describes such a huge range of emotion that it's a woefully inadequate word to describe the strongest of such.

I guess we have to agree to disagree on this one. Your view is that they can coexist based on context, mine is that words lose power when spread out over different meanings.

Basically, yes. If the meanings are different enough, they’ll coexist (like Timothy’s brain’s example, too—the fact that there’s a plant called ‘rape’ doesn’t make sexual rape any less horrible); if they start to be used for different degrees of the same meaning, or meanings that are too similar (like ‘love’ both for enamourment [if that’s a word] and a liking for something), then the word will get watered down and eventually another word will take its place for one of the meanings.

[residentEvil]

those that go to concerts will know this one (if you have ot use ticketmaster). we call them ticketraper. all the damn fees. don't know if that is regional (the play on the name) or not; but i've heard it at events in ohio and illinois too.

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

Ever notice that "chalant" is not a real word? It is a modern slang word, but not a proper English word.

I tend to be very chalant about that fact.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

those that go to concerts will know this one (if you have ot use ticketmaster). we call them ticketraper. all the damn fees. don't know if that is regional (the play on the name) or not; but i've heard it at events in ohio and illinois too.

That's why I love Facebook. I wanted to go to a concert at another school three hours away but the ticketmaster fees added almost 50% to the ticket price. I checked Facebook to see what friends I had at that school, then had one of them buy them at the box office for regular price.

[Dakar V]

And then you raped them.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Nooma video 002 - Flame.

I knew I heard it before. I forgot about the Nooma series.

Seen the "Everything is Spiritual" DVD?

[Laminar]

I have not. Recommended?

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I have not. Recommended?

Pretty good, but not really great. Some interesting tidbits here and there, but you have to wade through a bit of boredom to get to it. I enjoyed his two books a lot more.

[Eug]

I find the term quite inappropriate. It's become commonly used, but so has "mah bitches" and stuff like that.