Whitechapel - J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla & Feed Publisher J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140066#Comment_140066 2009-03-23T08:32:51-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 orwellseyes http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2119 Joe Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5 and writer of "Changeling" wants you to resurrect a word. So here's the deal. I'm calling on everybody in sight to help me bring back a word. It's ... wants you to resurrect a word.

So here's the deal. I'm calling on everybody in sight to help me
bring back a word. It's a conspiracy, see, and you're all part of it
if you choose to be.

I want to bring back the word "anon." As in, "I'll call you anon," or
"See you anon."

It isn't as specific as "see you tomorrow," when you may not, or "I'll
call you later" which is even more ill defined and inelegant..."anon"
means simply again..."I'll see you again" or "I'll call you in the
fullness of time."


A curious little experiment. What would you bring back? Or create from whole cloth?]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140068#Comment_140068 2009-03-23T08:36:13-07:00 2009-03-23T08:36:57-07:00 Fauxhammer http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=27 I'm with bringing back "anon". It's classy. Me, I want to hear more people saying "Saaaaaay, what's the big idea?!"
Me, I want to hear more people saying "Saaaaaay, what's the big idea?!"]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140069#Comment_140069 2009-03-23T08:38:36-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Blanche http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4894 If I had my way, people the world over would say "Jaws" instead of "Cheers". Long story short, my friends put on bad fake english accents, and made it sound as if they were ...

Long story short, my friends put on bad fake english accents, and made it sound as if they were saying "Chyaahs" instead of "cheers".

I thought they said "Jaws" and got excited; I was wrong.

I'm determined not to be. I would like to see "anon" make a comeback, though.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140073#Comment_140073 2009-03-23T08:43:39-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 SteadyUP http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5302 I'm working on "bully", myself. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140078#Comment_140078 2009-03-23T08:50:27-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Rachæl Tyrell http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=552 I think the English language needs a non-gender specific singular pronoun. "S/he" is clumsy, and the overusage of "they" to fill this niche really bothers me. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140081#Comment_140081 2009-03-23T08:53:51-07:00 2009-03-23T08:55:50-07:00 mybrainhurts http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1584 I think the English language needs a non-gender specific singular pronoun I thought we already had 'motherfucker'. I went and saw and Joe at the bar. He ordered a pint and then he spilled it ... I think the English language needs a non-gender specific singular pronoun

I thought we already had 'motherfucker'.

I went and saw and Joe at the bar. He ordered a pint and then he spilled it all over me.

becomes

I went and saw and Joe at the bar. Motherfucker ordered a pint and then motherfucker spilled it all over me.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140083#Comment_140083 2009-03-23T08:59:06-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Oxbrow http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=894 Writer of "Dreamers, Shapers, Singers, and Makers" speech likes unduly florid language, film at eleven... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140091#Comment_140091 2009-03-23T09:10:46-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 orwellseyes http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2119 @oxbrow: Troll Hates Clever Idea, Uses Onion Style Joke to Sound Clever, Fails.
Troll Hates Clever Idea, Uses Onion Style Joke to Sound Clever, Fails.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140104#Comment_140104 2009-03-23T09:40:03-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 @SteadyUP I, too, am working on "bully". BULLY FOR YOU!
I, too, am working on "bully". BULLY FOR YOU!]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140105#Comment_140105 2009-03-23T09:42:44-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Oxbrow http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=894 Never mind, then, I shan't trouble you further. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140107#Comment_140107 2009-03-23T09:51:07-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 BrianMowrey http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1709 you mean anon J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140108#Comment_140108 2009-03-23T09:51:07-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 WordWill http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2996 http://www.savethewords.org/ (You probably want to turn your sound off for that.) http://www.savethewords.org/

(You probably want to turn your sound off for that.)]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140115#Comment_140115 2009-03-23T10:08:00-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Cat Vincent http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=447 Waiting for Anonymous to be all over this... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140118#Comment_140118 2009-03-23T10:20:17-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 pico http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1686 "Remember me." As in, "Remember me to one who lives there...." Despite the sad-bastard-Simon-and-Garfunkel-ness of the phrase, it's classy and distinct. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140124#Comment_140124 2009-03-23T10:41:19-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Oddcult http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=214 The chans have been doing this for a while now anyway. Looks like he's cleverely picked something that'll happen easily, which he can take credit for. Smells a bit of a weird kind of backwards ...
Smells a bit of a weird kind of backwards astroturf. Or whatever it is that you'd call 'takling the credit for something already happening'.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140126#Comment_140126 2009-03-23T10:42:20-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 epalicki http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=170 I think that modern sexual connotations have more or less ruined it, but I try to work "comely" into conversation whenever possible. As in: "Oh, my, she's a comely lass, isn't ... comely lass, isn't she?"

...and, slightly off-topic, but I could really do WITHOUT the words "got," and "utilize," and I really wish people used "random" and "literally" correctly.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140130#Comment_140130 2009-03-23T10:49:34-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Paul Sizer http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=44 How about we get Americans to properly use the words we have before we start dropping in new ones? My vote for "Can we PLEASE kill this now?" in terms of American phrases: "These ... My vote for "Can we PLEASE kill this now?" in terms of American phrases:

"These ones" and "Those ones" (EXAMPLE: "I like these ones better than those ones, I think."

I like THESE. I like THOSE.

Fucking PERIOD.
Thanks.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140140#Comment_140140 2009-03-23T11:16:02-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 rickiep00h http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2930 Oh man, Sizer, we should start a crotchety bastard grammar club. You could be president. It'll look good on a resume. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140143#Comment_140143 2009-03-23T11:32:33-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Brendan McGinley http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=93 Personally, I like "alack" J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140144#Comment_140144 2009-03-23T11:36:58-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 KitsuneCaligari http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=248 I plan on bringing back Old English for feminist erotic novels and YouTube comments. Also Twitter.... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140145#Comment_140145 2009-03-23T11:39:18-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ Fauxhammer - Yes. I also like "Pipe down!" when telling someone to be quiet. I love talking like a '30's gangster. @ SteadyUP - Yes. Bully for you. I also like talking like Teddy ...
@ SteadyUP - Yes. Bully for you. I also like talking like Teddy Roosevelt.

@ mybrainhurts - Motherfucker serves all purposes. I once did a sketch where a character complained about "his motherfucking mother." It was based on reality. Sad, really.

@ epalicki - It really bugs me to hear the degradation of the word "random". Also, "awesome", which I admit to overusing. Also, "dude". I once heard a stoner kid say "I'm a cowboy, dude!" and wanted very much to slap some sense into his fool head.

I also am in the attempt of correctly imitating the vernacular of the Nineteenth Century, where the masses, largely uneducated by our modern lofty standards, were possessed of an elegance unknown in the cocksucking pig-fuckers of today. I believe this is a project that will last me well into my crotchety-old-manhood.

@ Paul & Rickiep00h - Might a traveller join your grammar club? I am intolerant of fools and I own a parang.

"Disagreeable" would be my addition. No one describes people as 'disagreeable' anymore.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140172#Comment_140172 2009-03-23T13:48:31-07:00 2009-03-23T13:50:38-07:00 doclivingston http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2318 I always find it surprising to see people gripe about what they perceive to be "incorrect" usages. American English is not British English, get over it. Language evolves, get over it. If ...
Like, for instance, I am completely in love with the idea that a word that has all but died out in common usage might, through the wonders of modern communication and technology, potentially be resurrected simply for shits and giggles.

See, language is weird and fun and alive. Stop trying to make it boring and dead.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140184#Comment_140184 2009-03-23T15:05:28-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 orwellseyes http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2119 @doclivingston: Evolution is great and I can appreciate David Milch turning "FUCK" into poetry as much as Oscar Wilde penning some biting phrase back at the dawn of the 20th century. ...
Evolution is great and I can appreciate David Milch turning "FUCK" into poetry as much as Oscar Wilde penning some biting phrase back at the dawn of the 20th century. Quality matters, content matters, character and ton matter. I know "guyz" from "da nort side" of "She-cah-go" who have an elegant short hand ("Over by dere" for any place distant) that's lively. Seeing it die out for yuppie talk in my life time has been sad.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140187#Comment_140187 2009-03-23T15:17:07-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 looneynerd http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5373 I've been trying to use more general old southern phrases, like "That dog won't hunt". As in: Boss: I need that report by 5 Employee: Uh, I have a doctor's appointment... Boss: That ...
Boss: I need that report by 5
Employee: Uh, I have a doctor's appointment...
Boss: That dog won't hunt!]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140189#Comment_140189 2009-03-23T15:23:18-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 johnjones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1052 Can we start with curse words? I want "frak" in our language for real. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140192#Comment_140192 2009-03-23T15:35:17-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Alan Tyson http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1299 I'll be part of any conspiracy Mr. Straczynski starts. I've been trying to use more creative alternatives for curses. Spider Robinson's 'fershligginer" is the current flagship of this ...
I've been trying to use more creative alternatives for curses. Spider Robinson's 'fershligginer" is the current flagship of this operation, because of it's great variety of usages.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140199#Comment_140199 2009-03-23T15:47:04-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Rachæl Tyrell http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=552 @ johnjones - I'd prefer "frell" personally... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140202#Comment_140202 2009-03-23T15:52:39-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 johnjones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1052 @RachelNoel Well... okay, can we do a reverse-BSG and transform a toothpaste into a curse word? "If you say one more frelling word, I will beat the crest out of you!"
Well... okay, can we do a reverse-BSG and transform a toothpaste into a curse word?

"If you say one more frelling word, I will beat the crest out of you!"]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140203#Comment_140203 2009-03-23T15:53:01-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Finagle http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5254 @johnjones - Zounds! Zounds!]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140206#Comment_140206 2009-03-23T15:56:20-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 I also am in the attempt of correctly imitating the vernacular of the Nineteenth Century, where the masses, largely uneducated by our modern lofty standards, were possessed of an elegance unknown in ... I also am in the attempt of correctly imitating the vernacular of the Nineteenth Century, where the masses, largely uneducated by our modern lofty standards, were possessed of an elegance unknown in the cocksucking pig-fuckers of today. I believe this is a project that will last me well into my crotchety-old-manhood.


Hell, yes...just look at the dialogue in Deadwood. They might swear every other word, but damn, they do it elegantly...]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140219#Comment_140219 2009-03-23T17:04:38-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Kosmopolit http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1346 The Lincoln Douglas debates lasted 3-4 hours and consisted of each man making a prepared speech for 60 minutes followed by response by the other for 90 minutes and a closing rebuttal by the first ...
That's a hell of a way from five second soundbites and "town hall" meetings where one of the speakers refers to his opponent as "that one".]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140224#Comment_140224 2009-03-23T17:12:21-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Fauxhammer http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=27 OOH OOH OOH--"Prithee"! J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140233#Comment_140233 2009-03-23T17:31:17-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 MShades http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4810 I want to bring back "yon" and "yonder" for things that are farther away than just "there." Pointless, I know, but it sounds good. And yes, language evolves, blah ...
And yes, language evolves, blah blah blah, but that doesn't make me feel less like braining someone when they call a car accident a "tragedy," a surprise escape from danger a "miracle," or a mass-produced handbag "unique."

And "proactive?" "Proactive" can suck shit in hell....]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140234#Comment_140234 2009-03-23T17:38:57-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Kosmopolit http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1346 I used to use "anent" in written documents. For one thing it's shorter than "regarding" and I had an absolutely-not-be-exceeded one A4 page limit to adhere to.
For one thing it's shorter than "regarding" and I had an absolutely-not-be-exceeded one A4 page limit to adhere to.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140243#Comment_140243 2009-03-23T18:28:13-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 @Fauxhammer Hows about "marry, nuncle"?
Hows about "marry, nuncle"?]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140285#Comment_140285 2009-03-23T20:54:31-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Richard Pace http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=320 DEADWOOD's colourful language was an anachronsism. The curse words of the day were quaint or silly by our standards. Though, I do like yelling COCKSUCKAH!. Good for the humors. ~R
Though, I do like yelling COCKSUCKAH!. Good for the humors.

~R]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140286#Comment_140286 2009-03-23T21:20:16-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2911 At first glance it sounds very silly, exactly like something I would expect from the chans, and I’m not surprised to see others point out that this happens on the chans. But I’d be quite happy ... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140291#Comment_140291 2009-03-23T21:39:53-07:00 2009-03-23T21:40:04-07:00 SteadyUP http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5302 A favorite from Sports Night - "momentarily" never actually meant "in a moment", but "for a moment". Hell, yes...just look at the dialogue in Deadwood.I once decided to ... for a moment".
Hell, yes...just look at the dialogue in Deadwood.
I once decided to make a concerted effort to stop using "gay" interchangeably with "lame", and after a while, I actually succeeded - just in time for Deadwood to add to my lexicon the term "cocksucker" as a pejorative.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140298#Comment_140298 2009-03-23T21:52:08-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 TALLY HO! J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140309#Comment_140309 2009-03-23T22:25:07-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 I've been trying to work myself into a mindset where I can use that, Lazarus, but sadly I have not been succeeding. James Puckett, it's a 20th Century thing, I think. I should know better, but I ...
James Puckett, it's a 20th Century thing, I think. I should know better, but I also commit these crimes in conversation. The brain endeavours in vain, but the mouth rattles off these placeholders unimpeded. Sorry.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140326#Comment_140326 2009-03-23T23:44:04-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 BrianMowrey http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1709 I wouldn't chide people for their "the thing is"s and "basically"s. Even though I generally speak in a very direct manner, I always listen close when somebody starts rolling out ...
Conversely, if I find for example that I've tripped up in a phone conversation with a client at my old yob, I'd start rolling out down-home as a motherfucker with some "I means" and shit. Straight up dumping them into my sentences. I'd try to picture myself walking together with the client, my arm around her shoulder, being as charismatic as possible. Language is a tool and if keeping word-count down to a minimum were really that effective why the hell would there be message boards.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140335#Comment_140335 2009-03-24T00:24:32-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 @ENGINE Okay, how about "Cheerio", possibly with a "pip-pip" on the end?
Okay, how about "Cheerio", possibly with a "pip-pip" on the end?]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140377#Comment_140377 2009-03-24T03:20:18-07:00 2009-03-24T03:22:08-07:00 Cat Vincent http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=447 A message to the Conspiracy from Grand Master Straczynski, re. other suggested words and terms: No, no, no, no, no, no, no...you're missing the point. Egads is too twee, Fortnight is still in ...
No, no, no, no, no, no, no...you're missing the point.

Egads is too twee, Fortnight is still in common use in the UK,
forsooth is silly, ye is a version of you which is also in use,
gadzooks just gets laughs...there's a simple poetry about "anon," it's
kind of self explanatory, there isn't a direct corrolary, and it won't
get laughs.

Focus, people, focus...how can a conspiracy work if everybody's off
running in different directions.

Will write anon.


Of course, one conspiracy inevitably spawns others...]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140386#Comment_140386 2009-03-24T04:02:55-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Rictus http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5272 Gooch grab. Sadly underused. Both in word and deed.
Sadly underused.

Both in word and deed.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140402#Comment_140402 2009-03-24T05:05:09-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Labyrinthine http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5782 I've used both yonder and tally ho before! anon, only in scrabble, where I had to argue for ages and nobody else had heard of the word :( My favourite is "jury-rig." I have had to ...
My favourite is "jury-rig." I have had to explain this word to people several times, and once I had a lengthy argument with a friend who insisted that the correct spelling was "jerry-rig" when that is in fact merely a bastardisation that is common enough you can use it and people will get what you mean, but still not the original term!

I also use "hence," "whence" and "onward!" a lot.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140416#Comment_140416 2009-03-24T06:10:45-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mybrainhurts http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1584 @CatVincent: Americans don't use the word fortnight? J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140429#Comment_140429 2009-03-24T06:41:24-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ZJVavrek http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4243 Not really, no. I expect quite a few know what it means, though I am likely overestimating based on my social circle, but it's not actually in use in the USA. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140437#Comment_140437 2009-03-24T07:10:47-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Steve http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2593 Yea, most of us know what it means. I ran into it in a book in Junior High. But we don't use it regularly. Typically we say two weeks. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140474#Comment_140474 2009-03-24T09:57:55-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 johnjones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1052 American don't divide the two units that precisely once it reaches that level. We might say "a couple-three weeks" but not a "fortnight." J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140490#Comment_140490 2009-03-24T10:43:51-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 You know, Labyrinthine, that's been killing me for ages, but I just haven't been able to figure it out! I see "jerry-rig" in press and I'm thinking, "that's just wrong." but for ...
Lazarus, I've got you there! I already use Cheerio! And, uh, cool beans.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140496#Comment_140496 2009-03-24T11:07:44-07:00 2009-03-24T11:08:48-07:00 aike http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1426 MY absolute hatred these days is people who insist on using voilà, and then type it walla or some other crap. If you are attempting to sound fancy, fine, make sure you know what the hell you are ...
I am all for elegant use of outdated words and phrases, but the point is much more: take care of your use of language, that includes, but is not restricted to, vocabulary. Evolution of language is great, again, but elegant and correct use of language is something to be appreciated and striven for. In my most humble (or not) of opinions.

Oh, but... can we kill marketing speak, please? I will henceforth use anon, if none ever again uses phrases such as: "We aim to leverage the synergistic traction of interdepartmental out-of-the-box thinking to promote green grass opportunities and blue sky thinking." - I already feel the hatred boiling deep within my soul.

P.S. BS Bingo!]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140531#Comment_140531 2009-03-24T13:23:48-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 epalicki http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=170 @ aike Your post was not value-added.
Your post was not value-added.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140559#Comment_140559 2009-03-24T14:50:00-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Osmosis http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=866 It just goes to show you can't be too careful! J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140573#Comment_140573 2009-03-24T15:38:44-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Dictionary Boy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4219 @labyrinthine I also had that argument about jury-rig, one of my classmates tried to persuade me that is was jerry-rig, and I had a full blown argument with him in the middle of class while the ...
I also use "hence" a lot, I didn't think it was outdated, is it?]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140632#Comment_140632 2009-03-24T19:01:10-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Corey Waits http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=453 I really can't believe you Americans don't use 'Fortnight'... It astounds me. I get paid fortnightly, but if I was American I'd get paid 'once every two weeks'? 'Fortnight' is a great word ...
I get paid fortnightly, but if I was American I'd get paid 'once every two weeks'?
'Fortnight' is a great word people, embrace it.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140646#Comment_140646 2009-03-24T20:14:02-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ZJVavrek http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4243 Many Americans get paid biweekly. This can confusingly mean either twice a week or fortnightly. I just can't grasp combining "fort" and "night" into something describing weeks ...
I just can't grasp combining "fort" and "night" into something describing weeks for actual use, even if I'm quite familiar with the word.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140660#Comment_140660 2009-03-24T20:54:43-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lani http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3573 I vote "Eureka!!" Let's take this word back from the vacuum cleaner company! I'm also a sucker for cheesy '80s slang: "Ace", "tubular", "radical"...and ...
I'm also a sucker for cheesy '80s slang: "Ace", "tubular", "radical"...and "dude" and "awesome" are part of my everyday vocabulary. I blame the guy I dated in college for getting me to say them.

Someone (can't remember who) said he had stopped using "gay" to mean bad or stupid. I applaud you, sir! I hate it when people use "gay" or "retarded" as a pejorative term (I used to work with clients with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness).]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140666#Comment_140666 2009-03-24T21:28:50-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 orwellseyes http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2119 I love fortnight. It's a simple, clear unit of time. "Once every two weeks?" in exact, messy, overly wordy. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140671#Comment_140671 2009-03-24T21:52:09-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 Wonder where it came from, though? Are nights longer in forts or somesuch? @racingpenguins: how, exactly, does one deploy "tubular"? What about overmuch? I think it's a word, but I ...
@racingpenguins: how, exactly, does one deploy "tubular"?

What about overmuch? I think it's a word, but I do not know.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140677#Comment_140677 2009-03-24T22:21:37-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lani http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3573 @Engine - Observe: "Oh my god, have you seen the new CYNDI LAUPER VIDEO?? It's like, so totally tubular!" "Like, fer sure!"
"Oh my god, have you seen the new CYNDI LAUPER VIDEO?? It's like, so totally tubular!" "Like, fer sure!"]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140679#Comment_140679 2009-03-24T22:42:30-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 SteadyUP http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5302 @penguins - don't applaud me just yet. PC or not, I still cling desperately to "retarded" due to the fact that it actually does mean "bad" insofar as something is ineffective or a ... does mean "bad" insofar as something is ineffective or a hindrance. The fact that it developed disparaging connotations regarding the mentally disabled doesn't change what it actually means.
I love fortnight. It's a simple, clear unit of time.
Yeah, but what the hell ever happens every two weeks?]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140687#Comment_140687 2009-03-24T22:55:49-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 Well, some of us get paid. That's definitely something J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140691#Comment_140691 2009-03-24T23:13:47-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lani http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3573 @SteadyUP - regarding "retarded", I would say that their diagnosis is a hindrance in some ways, but not necessarily in others. It depends on what your evaluation criteria are. *shrug* J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140697#Comment_140697 2009-03-24T23:44:43-07:00 2009-03-24T23:45:32-07:00 poor_boy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3170 About the jury-rig/jerry-rig thing: They both sound good to me because either one is better than the version I used to hear. When I was a kid, everybody always said that as, well...I'll post an ... When I was a kid, everybody always said that as, well...I'll post an example with the offensive part bleeped out. I'm pretty sure you'll know what I'm talking about.

Billy Bob: You fix that radiator hose yet?
Bubba: It's gonna have to be replaced tomorrow when the garage opens, but I n*****-rigged it with some duct tape so you can make it home.

I hate to admit it, but where I grew up, people really did say it just like that. After that, anything's an improvement.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140701#Comment_140701 2009-03-25T00:12:45-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 oga http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3803 What about phenomenons like singlish or when people who can speak at least five languages slip in and out of them singlish style while they're talking. I always wished I could do that. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140712#Comment_140712 2009-03-25T01:43:33-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 doclivingston http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2318 I unfortunately have had a lengthy struggle killing "gay"-as-pejorative from my vocab, but a huge part of the problem is that gay relatives and gay friends of mine regularly use ...
Regarding "voila", the biggest thing I always see that pisses me off about that particular word is that nine times out of ten, I see it spelled "viola", as in the fucking instrument. People are dumb.

As to my earlier note about defending usages people might disagree with, I'm half a semester into studying the entire breadth of varieties of English across the world, and if you ever spend any time at all doing that sorta thing, you realize how ridiculous people sound when they go around declaring their particular manner of speech/vocab/grammar/pronunciation/spelling the emphatically "correct" way of going about things. You're pretty much guaranteed to be in the minority no matter what you're talking about, because the variation is just that prevalent.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140721#Comment_140721 2009-03-25T02:28:36-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 poor_boy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3170 You guys are gay. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140782#Comment_140782 2009-03-25T07:03:54-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lee Matthews http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2576 Balderdash! Possibly the coolest but most underused word ever J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140784#Comment_140784 2009-03-25T07:12:28-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Labyrinthine http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5782 lol tubular! That's a hilarious word. Have we mentioned "yonder" yet? J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140793#Comment_140793 2009-03-25T07:44:46-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Oddcult http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=214 I've never stopped using some of these. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140799#Comment_140799 2009-03-25T08:17:04-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 orwellseyes http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2119 @steadyup I get paid. It's a good metric for planning projects ("I'd like this within a fortnight") The problem with "week" is the fuckery of capitalism. A week is seven ...
I get paid. It's a good metric for planning projects ("I'd like this within a fortnight")

The problem with "week" is the fuckery of capitalism. A week is seven days. But there are only 5 business days. Even though most businesses work on the weekend in some capacity. I deal with suppliers and contractors who pull this shit all the time to buy a couple days on an order, or fuck us on shipping.

Fortnight, 14 days. Two proper weeks. That's solid.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140802#Comment_140802 2009-03-25T08:26:08-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Oddcult http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=214 Agreed. 'A week' can be pulled out to mean nine days, all too often. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140812#Comment_140812 2009-03-25T09:27:54-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 @ oga: you live in Singapore? J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140818#Comment_140818 2009-03-25T10:39:39-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 SteadyUP http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5302 Paychecks - of course. I'm dumb. @penguins- I would say that their diagnosis is a hindrance in some ways, but not necessarily in others.No, that's not it at all. The word "retarded" has ...
@penguins-
I would say that their diagnosis is a hindrance in some ways, but not necessarily in others.
No, that's not it at all. The word "retarded" has no inherent connection to mentally disabled people, it just means "slowed down" or "impeded". It came to be used to describe them, accurately or otherwise, but all I'm saying is that I'm not going to stop using a word accurately because of un-PC connotations that aren't my doing.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140836#Comment_140836 2009-03-25T11:54:59-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lani http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3573 @Steady - I think might be talking about different things. I'm talking about when people say things like "Oh, you all look like a bunch of retards!" or "That movie was seriously ... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140910#Comment_140910 2009-03-25T16:09:10-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 "Boxing" as an adjective/amplifier, as in the Placebo song Pure Morning: "...and when she's pressed she will undress and then she's boxing clever..."
"...and when she's pressed she will undress and then she's boxing clever..."]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140924#Comment_140924 2009-03-25T17:51:38-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Don Hilliard http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5974 Wonder where [fortnight] came from, though? Are nights longer in forts or somesuch? Two weeks = fourteen nights = a "fourteen-night" > "fourt'-night" > fortnight. The ... Wonder where [fortnight] came from, though? Are nights longer in forts or somesuch?

Two weeks = fourteen nights = a "fourteen-night" > "fourt'-night" > fortnight.

The complementary term for a single week was "sennight" (still in the dictionary but tagged as archaic. I only know it from its use by the late Rex Stout in one novel.)]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140930#Comment_140930 2009-03-25T18:14:51-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mybrainhurts http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1584 @Lazarus99: 'Boxing clever' is an idiom, they're not using 'boxing' as an adjective/amplifier, I fully support you if you want to try and make it that though. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=140932#Comment_140932 2009-03-25T18:15:43-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 ... And a hearty Whitechapel welcome to the one and only Don Hilliard*! And yes. Ever spent a night in a fort? Bloody uncomfortable. *Seriously, mate. Welcome.
And yes. Ever spent a night in a fort? Bloody uncomfortable.

*Seriously, mate. Welcome.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141007#Comment_141007 2009-03-26T02:42:00-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Rictus http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5272 Muck-raking. Rictus has never raked muck.
Rictus has never raked muck.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141012#Comment_141012 2009-03-26T04:36:34-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 EvJ http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5957 For recent developments that might not last, as opposed to old words on their unfortunate last legs, I'd propose these: Gazumping, as in waiting until a person has invested too much time and money ...
Gazumping, as in waiting until a person has invested too much time and money into preparing for a purchase to pull out, then jacking up the price on a pretense.

Gerrymandering, as in defining the boundaries of an issue, specifically an election, such that the result is a foregone conclusion.


I think humanity needs a subtle, versatile and complete vocabulary to describe the many ways in which we can screw each other. Just like the old "Number of Inuit words for snow" thing, the more vocabulary we have to articulate the ways we all screw each other, the more accurately we will be able describe and understand it. Did some jumped up rent-a-peeler cop a feel of your collar? Get on the blower to the local rag and give 'em the lowdown in words the y can understand.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141013#Comment_141013 2009-03-26T04:41:15-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 LudwigTheurer http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4312 I have been retarded from my sleep hours by all this fuckery I read, see you all anon, hence, not in a fortnight. Lets call this conspiracy "Englich" (English + Lich)
Lets call this conspiracy "Englich" (English + Lich)]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141017#Comment_141017 2009-03-26T05:08:24-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Audley Strange http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4475 Well me and my friends have been using "anon" for years so it doesn't seem that much of a conspiracy to me. Personally I'd like to see certain jargon phrases removed since they are either ... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141035#Comment_141035 2009-03-26T06:10:52-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mybrainhurts http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1584 @EvJ: I don't think gazumping and gerrymandering are in danger of dying out. They're both in wide use within their own respective circles (the property market and politics). And gerrymandering has ...
And gerrymandering has one of my favourite etymologies.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141043#Comment_141043 2009-03-26T06:51:59-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 EvJ http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5957 @ mybrainhurts: You think? I suppose you're right, but I've been given the strangest looks when using them. I suppose I mean I wish they would grow into widely understood and used terms, rather than ...
Anytime someone uses the word gerrymandering, they sound great, give the english language a little boost, and are socking it to some corrupt asshole. It might very well be the perfect word.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141060#Comment_141060 2009-03-26T08:27:59-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Elana http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1166 I like to use "fie!" when I want to express deep remorse and disapproval without going off on my usual train of vulgarisms. Great word, that one! J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141101#Comment_141101 2009-03-26T10:26:06-07:00 2009-03-26T14:52:10-07:00 mybrainhurts http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1584 @EvJ: Well they're very specific words. If you were discussing politics with someone with some degree of knowledge in the field and mentioned gerrymandering they should understand it. In fact, it ... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141138#Comment_141138 2009-03-26T12:46:22-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Solario http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=58 I answer the phone by saying "A hoy hoy." To weigh in on the issue of using Retarded as a synonym for stupid: I would argue that being stupid is a mental disability, but not the ...


To weigh in on the issue of using Retarded as a synonym for stupid:

I would argue that being stupid is a mental disability, but not the kind of mental disability that is being discussed here. But in the end it's a discussion about the basis of the word: Whether you're using it as the social norm uses it, or using it as the dictionary defines it.


And I really don't think anyone should "bring back words" collectively. I just wish more people understood more words. To say someone has to say anon instead of now, seems stupid to me. Language is wonderful and should be more diverse, not just interchanging.


@Whoever was talking about Voilá: Let's not forget people spelling it Wallah are using an incorrect word for it, as Wallah is arabic and means "By God."]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141150#Comment_141150 2009-03-26T13:22:00-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 oga http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3803 @ENGINE Nah, I've been there a few times and I love Singlish lit, but I''m from NZ.
Nah, I've been there a few times and I love Singlish lit, but I''m from NZ.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141190#Comment_141190 2009-03-26T15:25:17-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ Solario - Several of my friends use "a hoy hoy", generally after Mr Burns on the Simpsons. That's apparently what Thomas Edison wanted people to say instead of "hello". J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141200#Comment_141200 2009-03-26T16:04:09-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Solario http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=58 @mister hex Yeah, though I think it was Graham Bell who wanted it to be common use. It's a ship greeting and because of primitive equipment it would have been easier to discern than ...
Yeah, though I think it was Graham Bell who wanted it to be common use. It's a ship greeting and because of primitive equipment it would have been easier to discern than "hello."]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141212#Comment_141212 2009-03-26T17:11:04-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ - Solario - I've been wrong on basic facts before. Alexander Graham Bell is claimed as a Canadian, even though he's Scottish. Thomas Edison was a bit of a bastard, too. But not Canadian. ...
Anyways! Thread drift!

Startling! And Remarkable! are words I'd soon see revived. Also "Oh my stars and garters!". But you have to drag it out, like Agnes Moorehead.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141215#Comment_141215 2009-03-26T17:19:07-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Dictionary Boy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4219 Startling and remarkable have been gone? Since when? J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141219#Comment_141219 2009-03-26T17:38:25-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ Dictionary Boy - When was the last time you heard someone say "Remarkable!" about something, like a fire or a fifty-foot tall monster? Never, probably. I want to live in a world where ...
I want to live in a world where people say "Remarkable!". And MEAN IT.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141221#Comment_141221 2009-03-26T17:43:20-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 @misterhex Thomas Edison was a bit of a bastard, too. So was Bell...
Thomas Edison was a bit of a bastard, too.


So was Bell...]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141223#Comment_141223 2009-03-26T17:47:06-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ Lazarus99 - I SAID he was Scottish. Comes wi' the' territory. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141238#Comment_141238 2009-03-26T18:36:25-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Lazarus99 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3143 Now, now... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141242#Comment_141242 2009-03-26T18:58:51-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 city creed http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4530 I've always liked "By Jove!" but haven't heard anyone give it any real juice for a long time... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141297#Comment_141297 2009-03-27T00:45:32-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 EvJ http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5957 citruscreed, I had a science teacher in secondary school who always said "By Jove!" It's a nice phrase, and I'd hate to see it go. For a less classical alternative, people used to say ... J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141313#Comment_141313 2009-03-27T03:26:13-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Osmosis http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=866 My dad is a big fan of "Jesus wept". Also, "Gordon Bennett"! J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141319#Comment_141319 2009-03-27T04:28:05-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Rictus http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5272 The phrase "Sit your monkey-ass down" will be popular for many many years. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141363#Comment_141363 2009-03-27T07:05:30-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Labyrinthine http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5782 I've found myself saying "cripes!" a lot lately, which I don't hear often. It's because "Christ!" has a nice ring to it but when i realised I'd started using it I felt weird ...
Also a phrase I use: "for to" as in "I went down to the markets for to buy some bread." I just like the rhythm.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141422#Comment_141422 2009-03-27T10:12:44-07:00 2009-03-27T10:17:30-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 I think the only real problem with the word retard, or retarded, is that it was used to indicate the mentally disabled in the first place. Granted it is true, but it was used in an insulting way. And ...
Gay, as slang, is obnoxious because it can only be one of two things; "that's so happy!" or "that's such a homosexual". Thus, it IS insulting to homosexual people, unless used to indicate something possitive, whereas "retard" or "retarded" does not have to be.

I do like anon. I actually use quite a few of the words and phrases mentioned here, but there is one phrase I wish people would use correctly. "I COULDN"T care less" rather than "I could care less"... enough said.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141423#Comment_141423 2009-03-27T10:16:53-07:00 2009-03-27T10:19:14-07:00 SteadyUP http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5302 @Rose - precisely. If I feel that, say, Heroes isn't at all living up to its potential, "that show is retarded" is a valid statement, and casts no aspersions on anyone other than the people ... Heroes isn't at all living up to its potential, "that show is retarded" is a valid statement, and casts no aspersions on anyone other than the people who make it.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141426#Comment_141426 2009-03-27T10:22:51-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Thank you, good example. J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141431#Comment_141431 2009-03-27T10:43:19-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 ENGINE http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4345 While we're on the topic of emotional ejaculations (hurhur) I frequently yell "hellfire and damnation!" to puzzled looks all 'round, as well as "Christ on a crutch," which, to be ... ejaculations (hurhur) I frequently yell "hellfire and damnation!" to puzzled looks all 'round, as well as "Christ on a crutch," which, to be honest, I don't know the origin of.]]> J. Michael Straczynski invites you to a verbal conspiracy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=5380&Focus=141434#Comment_141434 2009-03-27T10:56:55-07:00 2013-05-25T16:32:40-07:00 warrenellis http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2 I like Joe Straczynski, but if he really thinks people stopped using "anon," then it really is time for him to get the fuck out of LA.