4 ms·

Why do people from the U.S. use the word "hate" so lightly?

by armandososa 15y ago

jrockway 15y ago
What makes you think I'm from the US?
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
- buro9 15y ago
  Your github? https://github.com/jrockway/ https://github.com/jrockway/ says you're in Chicago, IL Analysis of your comments suggests non-European use of English. "Strong male" whereas European English is usually classified as "Weak male". And on your Google Places page you list only Chicago as places that you've lived. https://plus.google.com/u/1/105337359554006968707/about https://plus.google.com/u/1/105337359554006968707/about Unless you're trying really hard to consistently give a false impression, I'd bet you were just playing devil's advocate there as you do indeed appear to be from the US. Oh, and your domain is .us... but we all know that's a weak indicator.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
chollida1 15y ago
Well to begin with, different words have different connotations and meanings in different languages. In Canada we might say arse when we don't want to swear. My english friends tell me that arse is actually a pretty bad swear word over in there. From my experiences, hate doesn't have a very strong meaning. My wife might say she hates brussel sprouts and I wouldn't think anything of it. That's just a normal expression.
hugh3 15y ago
Compared to which variety of English? I'm pretty familiar with British, American and Australian English, and I don't think that "hate" is a particularly strong word in any of 'em. Depending on context, of course. A far stronger degree of dislike is conveyed by "I hate you" than "I hate lima beans".
- nailer 15y ago
  In the US people have recently began using the the term 'hate' as a synonym for 'dislike', confusing not enjoying something (which may involve little regard at all) with caring about it greatly albeit in a negative way.
  - hugh3 15y ago
    That's neither particularly recent nor particularly US-specific.
  - function_seven 15y ago
    "dislike" has never been a synonym for "apathetic toward." Rather, it is generally used as a polite way of conveying "hate".
  - FreakLegion 15y ago
    There's no confusion. The two senses of the word don't overlap; they can be used unambiguously in their own contexts. Unless you think people are also "confusing" things when they say "I like my coffee sweet" and "What a sweet little girl"--? Or, I don't know, the ringing of a bell and the ring on your finger? Or a flat object, a flat note, and a flat for rent? This is how language works. Not just English, not just a language. All language. Remember Wittgenstein: "Let the use of words teach you their meaning" (PI 220).
gbog 15y ago
I'd say it's just the common amplification style. Some other prefer understatements.

Why do people from the U.S. use the word "hate" so lightly?

jrockway 15y ago

What makes you think I'm from the US?

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
buro9 15y ago
Your github? https://github.com/jrockway/ https://github.com/jrockway/ says you're in Chicago, IL Analysis of your comments suggests non-European use of English. "Strong male" whereas European English is usually classified as "Weak male". And on your Google Places page you list only Chicago as places that you've lived. https://plus.google.com/u/1/105337359554006968707/about https://plus.google.com/u/1/105337359554006968707/about Unless you're trying really hard to consistently give a false impression, I'd bet you were just playing devil's advocate there as you do indeed appear to be from the US. Oh, and your domain is .us... but we all know that's a weak indicator.

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

chollida1 15y ago

Well to begin with, different words have different connotations and meanings in different languages. In Canada we might say arse when we don't want to swear. My english friends tell me that arse is actually a pretty bad swear word over in there. From my experiences, hate doesn't have a very strong meaning. My wife might say she hates brussel sprouts and I wouldn't think anything of it. That's just a normal expression.

hugh3 15y ago

Compared to which variety of English? I'm pretty familiar with British, American and Australian English, and I don't think that "hate" is a particularly strong word in any of 'em. Depending on context, of course. A far stronger degree of dislike is conveyed by "I hate you" than "I hate lima beans".

nailer 15y ago
In the US people have recently began using the the term 'hate' as a synonym for 'dislike', confusing not enjoying something (which may involve little regard at all) with caring about it greatly albeit in a negative way.
- hugh3 15y ago
  That's neither particularly recent nor particularly US-specific.
- function_seven 15y ago
  "dislike" has never been a synonym for "apathetic toward." Rather, it is generally used as a polite way of conveying "hate".
- FreakLegion 15y ago
  There's no confusion. The two senses of the word don't overlap; they can be used unambiguously in their own contexts. Unless you think people are also "confusing" things when they say "I like my coffee sweet" and "What a sweet little girl"--? Or, I don't know, the ringing of a bell and the ring on your finger? Or a flat object, a flat note, and a flat for rent? This is how language works. Not just English, not just a language. All language. Remember Wittgenstein: "Let the use of words teach you their meaning" (PI 220).

gbog 15y ago

I'd say it's just the common amplification style. Some other prefer understatements.