4 ms·
Basically any vulgar word ends up being overused by the (uneducated) masses by the definition of the word vulgar. I'm not sure why, probably because they don't
by umvi 7y ago
Basically any vulgar word ends up being overused by the (uneducated) masses by the definition of the word vulgar. I'm not sure why, probably because they don't have the vocabulary to precisely express their thoughts and end up reusing the handful of strong words they do know in new ways and contexts.
Like how a chef who only knows about cayenne and salt wouldn't be using subtle spices like paprika. He's just going to bludgeon every dish with salt and cayenne since those are the two spices he has used the most thus far. He might find some creative uses for cayenne, but that doesn't mean cayenne is suddenly the most versetile and complex spice.
- wil421 7y agoIf everyone else is using the word in a new way then who is wrong? The small minority or the masses who are evolving a language?
- umvi 7y agoWell, "history is written by the victors", I suppose, but that doesn't make the masses who are "evolving" the language "right". Unless you think it's "right" for the ignorant to redefine words like "literally" and "nonplussed" to mean the exact opposite of their original meanings or to make "could of" a valid grammatical construct.
- grepthisab 7y agoI really used to think like this. I thought there was a "proper" way to use words and evolution of language by the "uneducated masses" was a bad thing and they were "ignorant" for not sticking with dictionary definitions. I was insufferable.
- umvi 7y agoSo is there any value in studying or preserving English grammar and vocabulary at all if it is ultimately meaningless and can easily be redefined by people who have not studied English?
- apocolyps6 7y agoThe idea that people who speak differently than you smacks of old-timey classism, right up there with phrenology. Shakespere was as "vulgar" as it got in his day, and to call what he did art what others are doing something else is just bias. Language is nothing but a set of conventions which necessarily evolves with its userbase.
- werber 7y agoI'm curious if there's anything to back up the use of profanity correlation to one's level of education.