Is the word FAGGOT offensive to you?

19 Dec 2007

Ok you have probably heard that Radio 1 (only Radio 1 as far as I can see) has edited out the word 'faggot' from The Pogues classic Christmas hit 'Fairy tale of New York' on the grounds it is (might be?) offensive to gays.
I thought it was worth asking the question.
Personally I'm not offended but I'm not gay either. I happen to LOVE that song but since I don't listen to Radio 1 I won't exactly be boycotting it either (well no more than any other time).

19 Dec 2007

when i hear the word faggot ,i think off a meat ball in gravey with mash spuds and green peas

19 Dec 2007

i suppose that any coloquial word could be deemed offensive by some........it all depends on the context and the useage.
Please dont anyone get offended by what i am about to say.......
personally i would think faggot is an offensive term by and large... in the same bracket as Homo... and certainly more offensive that queer or queen.
i can see why the word has been deemed to offend some people and can see why the decision has been taken.
however i have to say that i only find a few words offensive and think its a little wrong to suggest that just because someone doesnt find a word offensive that its right to castigate those who do.
no offence, but shame on you for being intollerant of others!!!

20 Dec 2007

Quote by DeeCee
i suppose that any coloquial word could be deemed offensive by some........it all depends on the context and the useage.
Please dont anyone get offended by what i am about to say.......
personally i would think faggot is an offensive term by and large... in the same bracket as Homo... and certainly more offensive that queer or queen.
i can see why the word has been deemed to offend some people and can see why the decision has been taken.
however i have to say that i only find a few words offensive and think its a little wrong to suggest that just because someone doesnt find a word offensive that its right to castigate those who do.
no offence, but shame on you for being intollerant of others!!!

The question wasn't meant to imply that people shouldn't find it offensive, just that so often someone who is not in the 'offended' group comes up with these rules without even finding out whether any 'real' people are in fact offended.
I suspect that if all words that were offensive to someone were edited out, most of Radio 1's output would be edited to some extent. LOL

20 Dec 2007

Quote by foxylady2209
i suppose that any coloquial word could be deemed offensive by some........it all depends on the context and the useage.
Please dont anyone get offended by what i am about to say.......
personally i would think faggot is an offensive term by and large... in the same bracket as Homo... and certainly more offensive that queer or queen.
i can see why the word has been deemed to offend some people and can see why the decision has been taken.
however i have to say that i only find a few words offensive and think its a little wrong to suggest that just because someone doesnt find a word offensive that its right to castigate those who do.
no offence, but shame on you for being intollerant of others!!!

just that so often someone who is not in the 'offended' group comes up with these rules without even finding out whether any 'real' people are in fact offended.

i wasnt saying shame on you foxy... i was talking generally.
getting back to your reply, isnt it right though that we should try and cause people less offence?
im not , say, chinese, but would be aware that some people would be offended if a derogatory word about them was used...... even those who may not be chinese themselves.

20 Dec 2007

in the context of the song the word is supposed to be offensive .... is it not???
on behalf of all the scumbags and maggots I would like to protesteth smile

20 Dec 2007

Quote by foxylady2209
Ok you have probably heard that Radio 1 (only Radio 1 as far as I can see) has edited out the word 'faggot' from The Pogues classic Christmas hit 'Fairy tale of New York' on the grounds it is (might be?) offensive to gays.
I thought it was worth asking the question.
Personally I'm not offended but I'm not gay either. I happen to LOVE that song but since I don't listen to Radio 1 I won't exactly be boycotting it either (well no more than any other time).

not anymore.... smile

they under a huge storm backed down... they will keep playing it like it is........
or like i said.... just because they edit it doesn't mean we would just sing the offending words anyway..... innocent

In Edit: the record came out in 1987... so for the past 19 years it hasn't been offensive... yet year 20 it becomes "bad"

20 Dec 2007

Quote by DeeCee
isnt it right though that we should try and cause people less offence?
im not , say, chinese, but would be aware that some people would be offended if a derogatory word about them was used...... even those who may not be chinese themselves.

I agree to some extent, the use of offensive words just for effect is childish and ugly and we should be more grown up than that. But in this particular context it is two people insulting each other. The words are never directed outward to the listener.
Where do we stop? Dubbing out 'Ni***r' in a film portraying racism in the US army seems a bit pointless, but we would never accept hearing the word on the News or even on an equivalent TV series.
How do you feel about editing the words out rather than choosing not to play it at all? That's what annoyed me to be honest - it's censorship like blacking out words in a book.

20 Dec 2007

i think in the context of the song..its not that offensive......
but I think if you called someone in the street or on here a faggot then I do think it would be offensive. There are many words that at one time were accepted, but these days we would not use.

20 Dec 2007

Quote by thevillians
when i hear the word faggot ,i think off a meat ball in gravey with mash spuds and green peas

And me too....Yumm! lol

20 Dec 2007

the song was played on the breakfast show about half hour ago and im sure they hadnt edited the word out !!

20 Dec 2007

Quote by DeeCee
i suppose that any coloquial word could be deemed offensive by some........it all depends on the context and the useage.
Please dont anyone get offended by what i am about to say.......
personally i would think faggot is an offensive term by and large... in the same bracket as Homo... and certainly more offensive that queer or queen.
i can see why the word has been deemed to offend some people and can see why the decision has been taken.
however i have to say that i only find a few words offensive and think its a little wrong to suggest that just because someone doesnt find a word offensive that its right to castigate those who do.
no offence, but shame on you for being intollerant of others!!!

As a child back in the dark ages the word " faggot " did not even exist unless you was talking about meat balls. But others have taken it on board to use it as a name for others. People today take things so much out of context. The only word that I would call offensive is the " N " word, and that is for obvious reasons. But black people do call that to each other, which makes no sense to me. :shock:
As I have said above with exception of the " N " word, what ever happened to the old saying " sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me " ? Happy Christmas.

20 Dec 2007

It depends on the context...
last year my electrician who had been stalking me and just prior to getting a warning from the police called one of my best friends 'a fucking faggot' this was clearly no reference to any likeness to a meat product. In that context yes, it is meant and receieved as an insult.
In the song, no, as Kirsty's (oh for goodness sake where does that bloody apostrophe go?) mother reportedly said. Kirsty and Shane were being characters and that is how they speak, as Shanes character did take offence and return the 'compliment' in that context it was offensive to no-one other than the character. (in my opinion)
Words on their own have no meaning until someone puts them in a context.

20 Dec 2007

I'm aware it's a nickname used to call someone who's lets say a bit camp, but when I hear it I just think of those horrible disgusting round things! :scared:
It's now fast becoming a world where we can't say this or can't say that, we'll be walking round with dummies in our mouths shortly. sad

20 Dec 2007

Quote by fabio
Ok you have probably heard that Radio 1 (only Radio 1 as far as I can see) has edited out the word 'faggot' from The Pogues classic Christmas hit 'Fairy tale of New York' on the grounds it is (might be?) offensive to gays.
I thought it was worth asking the question.
Personally I'm not offended but I'm not gay either. I happen to LOVE that song but since I don't listen to Radio 1 I won't exactly be boycotting it either (well no more than any other time).

not anymore.... smile

they under a huge storm backed down... they will keep playing it like it is........
or like i said.... just because they edit it doesn't mean we would just sing the offending words anyway..... innocent

In Edit: the record came out in 1987... so for the past 19 years it hasn't been offensive... yet year 20 it becomes "bad"
In this particular instance I think this is the most salient point. As far as I'm aware there weren't any complaints, this was a "pre-emptive strike" and it highlights the idiocy of what's generally called political correctness.
If people complained there would be a case, if one accepts that social mores change over time. However this seems, on the face of it, like a random and arbitrary decision.

Quote by de_sade
BBC Radio have the most amazing double-standards anyway, because if they are that against the use of pejorative words they would refer to a certain American hip-hop band as NWA instead of Niggas With Attitude which they often do late at night.
Mind you the "offending" presenter is black, so it is probably OK for him to say it.
:idea:
Maybe, if all the daytime presenters were gay, it would be OK to play songs that use a whole range of pejorative words for gay people like "faggot" too ???

Just a thought.

This is an arguement that's is always brought up to justify the ironic use of " " by rap stars, and by the way don't panic people I'm black so I guess I don't have to use the asterix.(?)
However this is illogical. If a word or phrase is deemed offensive then nobody should use it. For instance is the fact that a black person says "kill all niggers" any less offensive? Our a gay person saying " hang all faggots"? Of course not, both are offensive.
This surely should be the real discussion(?)

20 Dec 2007

it is the context of a word that is offensive not the word itself.
something that I think is relevent is "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" this is a discussion that has many parallels with the contextual relevance of a word. The word faggot has no offensive meaning unless it is meant as such by the speaker/author etc.
My friends call me queer, odd rolleyes

, and worse.. but as they are my friends I take no offence as they are meant jokingly and are safe within the bounds of our friendship.
Were one of my colleagues or a stranger to use any of these terms I would be offended and would show my displeausure as I saw fit at the time.

20 Dec 2007

i always foggot things
u dont means that do you lol

20 Dec 2007

Cant stand the bluddy things..blek!!! confused

horribly oniony, gristley balls of disgustingness bleurghhhh !!!
Oh I see...not that kind of f.... redface

20 Dec 2007

Quote by splendid_
It depends on the context...
last year my electrician who had been stalking me and just prior to getting a warning from the police called one of my best friends 'a fucking faggot' this was clearly no reference to any likeness to a meat product. In that context yes, it is meant and receieved as an insult.
In the song, no, as Kirsty's (oh for goodness sake where does that bloody apostrophe go?) mother reportedly said. Kirsty and Shane were being characters and that is how they speak, as Shanes character did take offence and return the 'compliment' in that context it was offensive to no-one other than the character. (in my opinion)
Words on their own have no meaning until someone puts them in a context.

In total agreement with Ms S. Context, context, context.
I have gay friends who I jokingly call queer, fag, puff etc and it's given and taken in jest. I wouldn't dream of saying that to someone I don't know or use it as an insult.
I won't tell you what they call me! wink

20 Dec 2007

It's not offensive to me, although i disagree with context though, it's either offensive to you or its not, if you don't mind your friends calling you a certain name, but find it offensive if someone else does then that just reeks of double standards, if you find something offensive then it shouldn't matter who says/does it surely confused

:

20 Dec 2007

Quote by solofun
It's not offensive to me, although i disagree with context though, it's either offensive to you or its not, if you don't mind your friends calling you a certain name, but find it offensive if someone else does then that just reeks of double standards, if you find something offensive then it shouldn't matter who says/does it surely :

you are absolutely right. Tone of voice, body language, pitch, pace and all of the other things that make up language have no bearing on the meaning of words.
You are clearly an intelligent person. I think that by your definition you can only think good things from me calling you an intelligent person as I always take it as a compliment when people say that to me. cool

20 Dec 2007

Quote by splendid_
It's not offensive to me, although i disagree with context though, it's either offensive to you or its not, if you don't mind your friends calling you a certain name, but find it offensive if someone else does then that just reeks of double standards, if you find something offensive then it shouldn't matter who says/does it surely :

you are absolutely right. Tone of voice, body language, pitch, pace and all of the other things that make up language have no bearing on the meaning of words.
You are clearly an intelligent person. I think that by your definition you can only think good things from me calling you an intelligent person as I always take it as a compliment when people say that to me. cool

Nope, but i am intelligent enough to know that if you find a word offensive, take the N word for example, then it shouldn't matter who says the word, friends or otherwise, but you would know this as you seem to know everything anyway :?: and from your own admission above it would seem it would be the agression that would be offensive not the actual words used.

20 Dec 2007

I rest my case rolleyes

20 Dec 2007

i was once told if you cant say anything nice, say nothing at all... well.. in todays society it is so hard to know whats the correct thing to say for fear of offending people.
i have to say i dont think it helps that its "ok" for some people to say something and not for other people.
if a word is offensive enough to cause offense end of.
how are we ment to teach, show by example when it may be ok to call a friend a fat faggot N***er, cuse it was a joke, then be alarmed when we hear a child etc use it and tell them its wrong??
or when the BNP shout it out then say awhh come on i was joking?
to say the word faggot has only just become offensive is daft as there are other rasist words that were common place a few years ago aswell.
im not actually one for the whole pc thing, but im just saying how can we complain when its ok in certain situations etc etc.
stick and stones may breack my bones but words can never harm me,,, say tell that to the kids who commit suicide from bullying, or the people suffering from domestic violence but dont feel a "true" sufferer cuse he/she never hit them only belitled them... i know i know, again context context.
im basically voicing my thoughts, but this is how confusing i find the whole thing
xx fem xx

20 Dec 2007

Quote by X_fanny_x
i always foggot things
u dont means that do you

Naughty Tanny!

:smackbottom: :smackbottom:
Ho hum! I suppose I'll have to kiss it better now?
:twisted:

20 Dec 2007

Quote by splendid_
I rest my case

20 Dec 2007

Quote by bbw_lover
i always foggot things
u dont means that do you

Naughty Tanny!

:smackbottom: :smackbottom:
Ho hum! I suppose I'll have to kiss it better now?
:twisted:
yeah you can kiss it better
when ya wash ya underpants :twisted:

20 Dec 2007

My nan is 80 and she still uses the word 'faggot' as she has always done to mean something like beast, beggar, pig, or even 'a'porth (pronounced ay-puth...think its a northern thing!!)
as in to one of us kids who picked their nose...."oi you dirty faggot stop doing that" the same with the word 'arab' to mean the same thing and used in the same context.
She uses the word queer....pronounced 'cwer') as in "hes a queer (cwer) one that next door neighbour of mine" to mean odd or odball or weird.
She doesnt understand that over time they have become offensive because 'they' whoever they are, have made those words that way, and she still uses them with (dare I say it!! lol

) gayabandon! Theye werent deemed offensive in a malicious way when she was younger, and thats not how she uses them now.
I thinks its a generational thing....whos to say that in 30 years time, that the word 'swinger' wont be deemed offensive, we all demand to be called spouse sharers or reciprocal partner transposers??

20 Dec 2007

Just another example of the PC culture we live in. Did anyone ask gay men if they found it offensive in the song?, I bet they did'nt.
I have a few pakistaini drivers in my cab office and I asked them if they found the word " " offensive and they said no. When I go to the USA on holiday, some americans call me a "brit", same difference really.
The whole thing is just a load of bollocks if you ask me and an excuse to give someone a job.
Live and let live I say.

20 Dec 2007

i had a friend who got fed up with being called a , he was of asian ehtnicity but was born in manchester.
maybe some people are afraid of saying they mind for fear of causing offense when being asked if they find an offensive word offending, try saying that when drunk.
xx fem xx

Is the word FAGGOT - in this context - offensive to you?