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[–]sawboss[S] 7 insightful - 5 fun7 insightful - 4 fun8 insightful - 5 fun -  (12 children)

I say just call people what you think is the least offensive.

It's fucking impossible.

[–][deleted] 8 insightful - 3 fun8 insightful - 2 fun9 insightful - 3 fun -  (11 children)

The best thing about these words is the target keeps moving forever.

If you have a trait that's objectively bad (being mentally retarded), whatever word is used to describe that trait will be used as an insult. Eventually the "now an insult" word will become offensive enough to the offendatrons that a new word will be coined to take it's place.

[–]magnora7 4 insightful - 3 fun4 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

Yeah exactly. I think I've heard it called "the linguistic treadmill". I think George Carlin used to talk about this

[–]sawboss[S] 4 insightful - 3 fun4 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 3 fun -  (7 children)

Eventually the "now an insult" word will become offensive enough to the offendatrons that a new word will be coined to take it's place.

Exactly! That's because the true purpose of speech policing has nothing to do with politeness.

Also, "its" is possessive, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is".

[–]Zombi 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (6 children)

That's why I said to just try and pick the least offensive word and not worry. If someone gets offended then that's on them. People will ALWAYS be offended, so all you can really do is try your best and be confident you weren't trying to be offensive. No point in worrying about an issue that will never be resolved.

[–][deleted]  (5 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Zombi 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (4 children)

    Well yeah I agree we should all be as honest as possible, but there's nice way and a shitty way to say things. I'm just saying try to err on the side of the nice way as that's all you can do in terms of being inoffensive. We're basically saying the same thing tbh, which is don't worry too much about word choice, just do your best.

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Zombi 5 insightful - 4 fun5 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 4 fun -  (2 children)

      I see that now! I need to stop being so combative online, reddit has trained me to take every reply as a criticism and it's such a bad habit.

      [–]magnora7 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

      Same here! I find myself gearing up for a fight with every reply sometimes, and I have to remind myself that people aren't fighting with me always, especially on saidit

      [–]FormosaOolong 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

      offendatrons

      i love this! thank you!

      [–]yetanotherone_sigh 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

      "Teacher! Teacher! He used the 'R' word!"