Slang words

I say keep ‘em!!

I think censorship is so wrong! I think you have the right to say any word you want :)

freedom of speech :!: :!: :!:

As you said, freedom of speech is granted on YouTube so the question is only whether you want to use profanity or not. I say don’t use it or use it only when no other words are appropriate. Andy Rooney did a segment on profanity this past Sunday on 60 minutes and eloquently spoke of his choice not to use it. In our permissive media culture today there is more profanity than ever on the air. Personally, I think it often adds to the general garbage-y quality of mass media and should be avoided. Intelligence is sexy so make sure your words are well-chosen. :!:

I think an interesting question is what words were considered profanity in history? Have they remained so or have their meanings changed(check out the radio shows) ? will the ones we use now change in the near or very distant future?

I am of the opinion that profanity and slang in general is a part of language, whether people like it or not. So, being that Marina’s studies and profession revolve around language, nothing needs to be censored.

Besides, don’t you think some words sound really nice with her accent…even the bad ones!!(again reference the radio shows heh)

That’s my two cents, keep it up Marina

Dear Marina: When you had your evil twin call you a b* i *t* c *h, one or two lessons ago, well I thought that was not needed, nor ever suitable for you. You are a gorgeous teacher on a fast track this past year. Can anyone give me an A-men on that? Thanks!

Use everything…slang is just as much a part of the language as the back forty is a part of the property, just make sure that you know where the fence is.

Don’t change a thing Marina we like you the way you are. Slang is part of out language and you havn’t displayed an excessive use of profanity so just keep up the good work. Chief :cool:

:smile: I think you can use them when you consider appropriate but I also like what you are doing and consider it to be more high caliber than alot of use of slang language. I think it just be a distraction from a high quality product you offer so bleep the slang. Like my dad always made clear using a lot of slang language just shows ones struggles with vocabulary.

Well hmmm. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech. I also want to keep seeing your videos. So what is the answer? YouTube is free and that is appealing to me and my miniscule budget. I also do not really want to hear some words as they are just painful to so many… derogatory words that are used to describe races, for example.

that said…finding the origin of words is what you do. I think.. as bright as you are that you can find a way to let folks know what you are meaning to say without being offensive.

I LOVE your program!

Fre

i will not add to a servey that questions ones own integrity .your to make your own mind up :mrgreen:

Marina:
I have shared this URL with my (teenaged) kids. While I love to know the roots of many words (I have a book dedicated to the roots and usage of the word “nigger”), I think you should try and take the high road in terms of “hate speech.”

That doesn’t mean not using slang or censorable words; I just think “hate speech” should not be part of your lexicographical range.

Cheers!

Hello Marina.Im glad to see your doing so well with your channel.Keep up the good work.
I voted yes.As an adult i would like to lern the meaning of slang words.But i wouldn’t like to hear my child come and say to me that he or she heard the meaming behind pussy ,dick,fuck,cunt and so on.I have to admit that i heard all of these in public school by the time of 3rd grade but thats beside the point.
I hope you well make your slang video’s viewable only to 18 or older.
I know ,i know.–By the the age of 18,you should have heard them all by now. My point is this,Some of your viewers are very young to young i think to lean of slang history.
Thanks.I wish you the best.
:smile: tdwnarrows.

I think she must remain pure, you can’t don whatever you like if it is related with your profession, if you think like that a weapon maker can kill

What??? eh? huh how is slang related to hate speech?!:S:S unless of course you mean such words as ‘nigger’ and such… but then… they’re not being used in an offensive or hateful way – even if when your explaining them it is explaining hate – your not giving hate speech, i see nothing wrong with this :) do it ;)
“they are just as important a part of the language as regular words”
:)

@hitman – but by that logic, your then implying/inferring that a weapon wielder, can kill – which, legally speaking for instance, he can’t? 0_o…(well obviously there’s other criteria but yeah…)

(note i haven’t read who your replying to, if its to the main post then well good here we go:- )
it says “as you are allowed to use them in your profession” not “as you are allowed to give hate speech in your profession”… meh

i hear that :P

Ouuh i totally agree:) “damn” for example was very bad to say a little while back :P

This is about words and their origin and meaning. It is not directed towards anyone. If you look at philology objectively, then anything is permited. Of course, slang words, vulgar words, etc. should not dominate, but there is a natural curiosity about such words. In any event, once those words have been given their 3 minutes of video fame, they are lost to the archives. I think it is a question of balance and common sense.

Marina (and production staff)
Be smart in making this decision. Be confident in Marina’s online humor and bubbly personality to convey the humor of (bleep^#^#%)- and leave them out (sure, have FUN doing “WTF” like you did with Kangaroos- BRILLIANT! But don’t be an APRIL FOOL and fall into the “free speech” BS. Being polite and RESTRAINED in your speech is the hallmark of a long-lasting Dear Teacher who can move on with her overall entertainment career- without any *^##(*#$T clips haunting any children, parents or sponsors. You are not Howard Stern, “dahling!” You are Marina! Keep your snorkle up!

Because we want our Dear Teacher to move on with her career- without ANY baggae that can be used against her- and thus elucidate
the masses of the media Universe with a PROFESSIONAL HISTORY that is as transparent to inspection as her lovely complexion is today!

Hope the professional contacts I’m sending your Rob_______ office and management are good ones. I want to Marina elucidate the Universe and make everyone happy! JOHN

My opinion is to just be yourself.
If you happen to use some slang or curse words in your videos, that’s cool, but I don’t think you should go out of your way to add them or censor them.
I noticed in your early vidoes, that you did bleep out some curse words.
On this matter, your own judgement is probably more important than what the majority think.

OOPs .I seem to have written the very words that i didn’t want young childern to see.Please forgive me.

I voted to “keep them pure” but I didn’t know for sure what words you are speaking of. “Slang words” I don’t mind but dont’ want to hear outright vulgarities like the “F word” being used a lot, it’s just tacky.

Hope this helps Marina, I do enjoy your videos.

As much as slang is part of everyday speech I would like to think that in an environment such as this we could probably minimize the usage as we are all here to learn something, right? From a humor perspective it’s fine, but I think it just shows we can all rise above the fray a bit….You do a great job Marina, keep up the outstanding work….

P.S.You used thr F word in your last video.I think you should have spelled it as it was– s- t -f -u- BUDDY.
But if you were giveing the oregin of the F word ,thats deforent,i think.

maybe you should just censore those words which are not suitable for young age?
lik the F***

Marina, I was brought up in a home where no one ever used slang words such as the “F” word. As a man, (I’m 63 years old) I feel that it would be very disrespectful and ignorant of me to use such language, especially in the presents of a woman. We can choose not to use vulgar words out of respect to those people we are talking to. I love your work, you have a great mind and heart. Jack

Dear Sweet Marina,
I think that, in your case, your command of language would allow for some really creative cursing rather than gutter cussing. That said, one should not flinch from using slang when the occasion calls for it. Like, ShutTheFuckUpBUDDY. And, people shit. Well i do anyway. However, rather than ‘shit’ when describing excrement, you could say ‘Poo’. Like the poo eating fish on Dirty Jobs. I do not believe that you should be crass. If you are concerned about expressing frustration because you fucked up your line 18 times, cuss in Russian, that would be fun to listen to. I thought that your Maxim Radio interview was well within acceptable bounds. Love You, Keep it Up. Michael

YouTube will be censoring you soon enough. Slang words are part of our language. Occasionally referencing them should not be an issue.

Marina,
It seems that only recently you’ve concentrated on these types of words. Slang words are interesting but so are words like “Inflammable”, “Fifth Element” or “Coffee”. You’re an extremely intelligent woman so you know that there is a wide range of viewers that enjoy your show. I was caught by your scholarly insights, your unpretentious presentations and the light comedy that makes you seem genuine. Don’t censor your show but don’t forget that there are so many more words that can be researched that would keep a larger audience intrigued. Mix it up a bit. One slang word for every four academic?

I know there is a difference between profanity, cursing & slang words, & I subscribe to the school of thinking “Less is more” in any communication. eg. if Emmenemm were to drop the so called F bomb in one of his song lyrics, who would notice except the parental advisory thingy, A warning label is slapped on & record sales go up. So what did he say thats shocking anymore?? But if Marie Osmond, or for the younger crowd, Hillary Duff, (Canadians, Ann Murray) were to drop the F bomb, once in a song, I’m sure that it would be more noticable than a Neutron Bomb going off. There would be an international “WTF” or for Ann Murray fans a “darn” she must be saying something worth hearing & it probably wouldn’t be censored.
Anyways I’m a dad who’s kids are nearly all out of the house & I remember cursing, as a youth, like a sailor (sorry sailors) to try & be cool. My parents raised me not to cuss etc. but I didn’t have to practice much to get good at cussin’. I tried to teach my kids respectfull comunication as I learned it from my folks. So your question as to remaining “pure” is a little puzzling. My struggle now is to stop my tongue from tearing into the arsenal of more salacious or crude words when I’m mad, as if I do unleash them on someone I can’t take those ones back, or so it seems. My Feelings when I’m mad are not “Pure” but if I can control what comes out of my mouth I can still wield the power, get it??
I did vote against, because at my age I think you, a beautiful classy woman, respected I might add by the education community,(noticed) is classier if she wields the sword of control. The bleepin’ Bleeping is good if necc.
Using any words, as one of my friends puts it, as “elevator” words to bring an argument to a boil is a sign of weakness. Also a speech writer will tell the speaker to speak loadest on the points that are the weakest. nuff’ said outa me eh.
Thanks for caring about everyones opinion, if you love what you’re doing keep doing it, but take a break when you need it. Love to see you outside in the vids. (remembering the “Cool” vid) Cheers!

Well said. I second that.
It really annoys me when, before a television program, an announcer warns that it contains STRONG language when it should be objectionable or offensive language.
Don’t get me wrong – I use such language myself on occasion, usually only when I am extremely pissed off and losing control of my emotions; where is the strength in that?
Also, many people ( I just resisted the urge to add an adjective to “people”) use the F bomb when they can’t think of an appropriate word or can’t be bothered to; again, where’s the strength in that? And where is the intelligence?
The one thing which we humans have that no-one can take away from us, no matter what they do to us or what happens to us, is choice; the choice of how to react to what is happening and the choice of how we behave and whether we care about how what we do is going to affect others.
Strength is making the right choices in the face of temptation to do what is expedient or what we imagine will make us look “cool”.

Rant over – I feel better for that. :wink:

Amen. see my reply to dragonvariation above

I say use the words, as they are as you say in the survey “legal to use in your profession” as a linguist. However, I feel also that you should “flag” your own videos on YouTube (the ones that need it, like if you were to take your 2nd Maxim show’s word games and make them into YouTube videos), making sure to check the “language” box just to let people know ahead of time what they are getting into and for parents to be able to “screen out” certain words.

On a side note, but still sorta on topic, I am all for stuff like vchips and stuff that HELP parents control what their children watch. Should the government censor us? No, absolutely not. I am 30 years old, and the government should not be able to censor ME, but parents censoring their children is fine, when the child becomes an adult, they can watch or listen to whatever they want.

As for “dropping the F bomb” even saying the F word doesn’t always warrant a parental advisory sticker… In the song Building a Mystery, Sarah McLachlan says the F word once. Bet most people don’t even really notice, because it’s so subtle and not even censored. I purchased the CD at Wal-Mart, and if there is a censored version of a CD, that’s the only one Wal-Mart sells.

Last verse:
Oh you’re a beautiful
A beautiful f**ked up man
You’re setting up your
Razor wire shrine

Don’t bleep it; that just draws attention to it.
Exercise your choice to set a good example.

I trust you to use language intelligently. The words you choose should reflect you, or at least the persona you’ve adopted for Hot for Words.

I am not in favor of thoughtless use of language. At first I wanted to vote “no”, based on what I perceive as a trend to laziness, over-reliance on certain words, as if they were the only ones the author knew. But I’m confident you won’t do that.

I agree with dragonvariation.

The same goes for bleeping them. Don’t bleep words just to clean it up. That’s an abomination. Particularly where words are the focus.

goddamnit … the fucking anti-f-bombers again …

You could “define” the origin of almost any word, slang or otherwise, and get away with it based on context. Some words, might be controversial, so you have to decide if the story is interesting enough, or inspiring enough for you to take the risk.

Swearing in your vids (like the last one when you said “what the fuck”), doesn’t bother me, however, it might impact how other “professionals” perceive you and speak of you publically. This might or might not impact your professional future outside of YouTube, so you have to give it consideration.

It might be time to ask yourself the question, “where are you going with all this? 3, 5, 10 years from now – where do you want to be, how will you evaluate your accomplishments looking back on this interesting time?

So far, I haven’t seen anything offensive in your videos, and they seem to get more and more creative and interesting to watch. “If it’s not broken, why fix it?”

How’d you load your picture? I don’t see that option in the profile section?

uh. no, you can upload a pic at gravatar.com.

fuck “professionals”.

I remember a math teacher in high school saying: “your thought is … total crap.

a syntax prof. at university said, “this argument is a shitty one”. hehe.

Thanks… found it.

Nifty application!

LOL!

My “linguistics” professor in undergrad was a religious fanatic and would strike down any non-comformist thought any of us had.

He used to write on my papers…

“The Lord provides attitude…
attitude is position…
and position is power”

I use that quote all the time, leaving the first line out!

Hi Marina,

My idea is this – put a prominent disclaimer somewhere on your website discussing your philosophy of philology. You believe that all words have equal dignity, apparently, and since this is a discussion of word origins, etymology, linguistics, etc., and is targeted to adults (or at least high school age people), then all censorship – including self-censorship – will be avoided.

In addition, think about making a “kids page” about language and linguistics. That page can have more modest dress on your part, and no profanity, and be directed to educating kids. Just a thought….. heck, maybe to take the work-load off of you, get a friend’s 12 year old kid to learn how to host videos presented to kids – you can do words like “donuts” and “Christmas” and stuff like that. Providing such an alternative will keep the “save the children” people off of your back.

Eric

keep them your style and profession thats part of our learning and all you do is teach us the meaning of these words everyone learns from you keep your style sweetheart thanxs :razz: KISSES :razz:

reminds me of an episode of futurama when they’re trying to wake the professor up:

“try shocking him!”
“your social security check is late! stuff costs more than it used to! young people use cuuuurse wooooooords!”

hehe. bender rocks. black jack and hookers!

I do like to share your work with my grandkids and “godchildren” so some discretion is advised. :roll: Chief

they’ll be using those words anyway in the future. what’s the big deal?

never understood why people over there say “shoot” instead of “shit”. everybody knows it’s “shit”. just because you change a vowel doesn’t mean it’s a different word or something. “shoot”, “darn”, “gosh”. what the fuck?

I think as society changes your vocabulary should expand to conform to the suttle changes the have taken place ove the past few decades and that will continue long after we stop.

Marina, you could articulate any ‘slang’ while educating and at the same time putting even a smile on the face of the very individual whom might be offended. Censorship is wrong, it violates one’s natural right amongst many other innate freedoms.

Yeah, I mean as I said in my post right before yours, I think parents should be able to censor their children, and tools to help the should be provided, as YouTube does. If she says “fuck” in a video, flag it for language and both she and YouTube have done their job. Then, it’s up to the parents to make sure their child does not click past that “May contain language unsuitable for children” warning.

While I don’t tend to cuss that much, when I play games I always turn OFF the profanity filter (partially because of the silly words that end up in video game profanity filters, like (and you can’t turn there’s off) in Rumble Roses XX you cannot name a custom wrestler “Spice”, and in most MMORPGs you’ll find “gay” and “Nazi” and City of Heroes even has GOD in their filter (I actually got my forum account flagged for questioning that, they have a “Don’t question our censorship” policy that I’ve never seen on any other forum).

That’s why I love those new commercials with the parents talking to the gangsters, monsters, whatever,telling them how much they love the show, but they have to block them from the kids. The tools for PARENTS to censor their children are out there, parents just need to use them, and that allows the government to keep their nose out of censorship!

I understand what you said herebut, beg to differ with your interpretation about reality. If there never were any weapon makers we meat eaters would still be hunting our food with sticks and stones. As for current day weapons, I use them for eye hand coordination. I kill old empty bottles and cans. I am very good at it too. :wink:

Well, putting this in perspective, it’s really not about “censorship” which is being legally prohibited from saying something. Marina can do what she likes; however, others may have negative opinions of her if what she says is vulgar or profane. So, it’s important for her to take it into consideration. However, she also doesn’t want to alienate people who would frequent this website by watering it down to the point of a G rating. There’s a happy medium in there somewhere.

Dear HotForWords Teacher,
Refraining from using the same words as others shows individuality and breeding of a higher DNA culture. Your particular profession requires you to utilize words that others may not choose to use in their everyday vocabulary.
It is normal to learn the “dirty” words when learning a new language. I try to avoid using the language I seemed to have picked up over the years in my earlier career, but still drop the occasional fleeting expletive.
Here’s an old adage that may work for you in your decision “Out of order comes chaos and out of chaos comes order”.

:smile:

how would you hunt a fish with a stone?

aLx,
Speaking along the terms of manufactured weapons, a hook is a manufactured weapon. Have you ever seen someone catch a fish using a big stick? You should have a bug with a broken wing or leg to use as bait in order to speed up this process of luring a fish within striking distance. As the fish comes up for the kill, you strike it on the head. Presto, dinner is ready to be gutted and skewered with a stick and cooked over an open fire. No manufactured weapons needed. Just a sharp edged rock for a cutting device.

I did the “shut the f**k up buddy” things as a foreshadowing of things to come in the video… as I knew I would be using profanity in that video.. in fact my evil sister calls me out on it in the answer video!

I don’t think I will be using too much profanity.. as it’s not really necessary! But there might be times when I think it might be called for. We’ll see what happens.

Still trying to figure out how to do the f-word video! :shock:

I think your kids page idea is great!

Then I can watch Marina and help my kids with their homework at the same time! :mrgreen:

Always glad to help!

There are online slang dictionaries where anybody can find the meaning and origin of every dirty word in the language. Finding them out is not why most of us subscribed, even those who didn’t bother voting. Gutter language is a subcategory of philology that, for some reason, almost all other philologists ignore–I wonder why?–and if you sink to that level, the only two things the news media are going to report about you are your beautiful body and your ugly language, which they will quote, so that it’s the only thing most people know about you. If you’re going to use salacious language, why not strip while you’re at it? One expects the two to go together! And you’ll make a lot more money that way. But somehow I don’t think that was your purpose in setting up HotForWords.com.

When I learn a foreign language I intentionally don’t learn the profanity. It’s very refreshing and relaxing to be in a foreign country and not know when people are cursing and hateful.

Hi Marina,
Whatever words you say or profile will be public domain – forever.

Ask yourself three questions about any profane slang word.

1) If a guy you just met took you out to an elegant restaurant, and used the word in conversation with you over dinner, would you be put off?

2) Could you use the word in conversation with your parents or grandparents without disrespecting them?

3) If you have children, would you be upset if your young daughter or son used that word in the presence of guests at your dinner table, and then announced that he or she learned its origin from one of your old HotForWords lessons on YouTube?

Your hard work is paying off in spades – you are actually making an appearance on O’Reilly’s show? Great! The decisions you make now about the image you want to project to a wider audience will determine the breadth of your fan base and on what levels you will be taken seriously. Good luck!

In reply to the comment by aLx. At some time when you have raised and educated kids and grandkids you will understand. Chief :wink:

I’m bleeping matt damon. :/

Hit man is right….she must remain pure…I would hate to have to preview Marina’s video’s so to see if its oK for my kids watch her.Or have them not watch Marina all together.

Better not let his girlfriend find out :grin:

I think all words should qualify regardless. Use an ‘Explicit’ warning if some people are offended. Might be worthwhile having two themes running parallel, a kinda HFW after hours class. I am certain you have a wide aged audience and would appeal greatly to younger ones as well. My God Sibs are glued and eager to learn new words from Marina. I sensor with discretion, which is futile at times!

- With education around the world so in need of more fun ways to learn, HFW rocks. Every school should be on line, tuned in for a lesson each and every day to watch and learn from Marina. Should be mandatory. UTUBE and alike should welcome the same ‘Explicit warning’ thus warning all prior to viewing. Freedom of choice.Then it’s all good.

HFW needn’t always be explicit or rude, fun as that may be, more so to the midnight tent pole dudes out there!! :)
Less explicit words are also delivered in an equaly enjoyable and entertaining manor. No worries!

So keep Slang Words in HFW’s and your loss UTubes!

As the fish comes up for the kill, you strike it on the head.

that’s killing a fish with a stone, not hunting a fish with a stone.

So as not to be misconstrued, I usually learn my foreign languages from friends or co-workers in that particular country. And it always seemed to me that they relished the idea of teaching me the curse words 1st off. I only recall a few of same from one particular country off the border of China. Probably because this one character in the office would use same everyday while conversing with the locals that worked in the same office.

While in Europe I’m not sure if I ever even heard any foul language being used other than that of my native tongue. I drove a truck and anyone who has been around a trucker may testify that we are well known for our verbiage. :shock:

If you’re going to be splitting hairs, one does not hunt fish. One simply goes fishing for fish. If one goes hunting with a gun, does not one use the gun for the kill? And to be more specific I used the stick to kill the fish. I used the sharp rock to cut it open in order to remove the internal organs before roasting it over my campfire. I am the killer. My choice of weaponry is merely the device of which I do so.

Yes, el professor. Once a week I take all the trash in the house and put it in the bin, by the street for pick up. I cannot feel clean by talking dirty, neither do I elevate myself by calling another person a name. Can a person say offensive words and benefit from it? How? Thrity-five years ago when I was in the Army, stationed in Germany, the German phrase for “est maches nichts,” was, “mox nix.” Meaning, “it matters not.” That’s ok slang for me. But I won’t go to England and start calling people “bloody fools.” If Marina were to use five slang words in every sentence of her video, for five minutes, where do you think her viewer rating are going to go. Yep. Please remain pure, Marina. That guy on TV who has made more than 100 episodes of, Dirty Jobs, has a way to express himself quite well. He makes plenty of money. And as for his slang, maybe I can only remember, cow pies. He knows the boundaries for slang. What is the particular connotation infered in a slang word? To be cool/express strong emotions/just be like everyone else/just like to talk dirty because it gives power to the user? No thanks.

Do stay true to the way you talk in ordinary life!!! IF you chose not to use certain word, PLEASE just leave them out do not “beep them out”. There is nothing more stupid than listen to american TV shows with a lot of “beep – beep” all the time! If you can show people beeing shot, why can´t you speak out a word that may affend someone?!?! never could figure that out…

Yes indeed, I’ll third that Mr. dragonvariation. It is quite possible that Marina has achieved success with her bountiful cleavage, adorable blue contact lenses, and faithful homework skills to enlighten us in communication (as well as feedback, so she knows how she is doing). But to alter it to mastery of slang language (informal nonstandard vocabulary) well……..no thanks. The popular rapper volcalist TI, or Clifford Harris, made tons of money with the song/video “What you know.” Singing about the jets, wait a minute, what’s that? Oh, the projects, or getto. I must say that I liked this video/music/beat/vocals, until I had to discombobulate all the lyrcs. OK, sell cocaine to people in the projects. I told my son that we don’t need to sing that song. Mr. Clifford Harris is currently on probation for buying machine guns and silencers, and is very sober about life. He will give talks to the fine young impressionable folk about staying away from drugs/guns. I think he calls that being a very squarey cube, slang for, not hip/cool. So where do you go with this, Marina? What are your boundaries? To push the envelope? Slang is nonstandard vocabulary. Okay, time is up for this dear student to turn in his homework/feedback. Keep yourself pure Marina. Mrs. Amy Winehouse has enough troubles with impurities, and the both of you should not be in the same sentence together. lol!

P.S. Marina, I am just to old fashioned to own a cell phone, so just give Bill O’Reiley a big hug, and do well in your TV network broadcast show with him, should I qualify for the slang word “ringtones,” with you. Keep it pure, no adulteration. Go for it girl!

The F- Word??? There are a few videos on that word that you can find on the web. I will Link them to you if I can find them again but concerning your using slang on your videos I voted for you to stay pure but in all honesty? Do whatever you think will be best and makes you happy, I trust your judgement LOL!! as if that really matters, I guess what I am trying to say is that you are a incredibly intelligent woman and I think you know what will work the best for you and your show. Thankk you for allowing me my two cents.,…
BUDDY_nlsmafia2008

A lot of comments.
I voted no. But, I have to ask have you felt constrained in your vid lessons? Doesn’t the satellite radio station provide the outlet for the slang words about which so many ask?
Your lessons have consistently been a source of surpise and entertainment and I am truly appreciative of the work it entails. Regardless of your decision I wouldn’t expect that to change.
While no word is intinsically good or bad, I believe they do have a value respective to the company in which they are used. Your audience is very large and not only includes millions of guys, but also kids like Maria from Ukraine. So, my no vote is a request to not serve the lowest common denominator.
Thanks, Tom

Hey Marina,

A person is known for the language they keep. Certain words are just nasty to some and ok for others. Some say the F words and S words and The C words and the A words What the @$@#$, hold on does any one know what it means when we talk like that? Now there, are some really cool words to really research. What does Phuck with an f really mean and where did it come from? I think I know. Research that one Marina. that is what you need to do in response to all this.So if you use any words then you should be proud of what you say. If you are not then you need check yourself.
Remember the language is up to the word smith making the words not the listeners. Thats part of your flavor. I am a firm believer in the use of mis spelled werds for feeling.
Peace Love and Surf naked if you can.
Tommy Lomus (the Original Musicasters)

let’s see.

hunting our food with sticks and stones

(I assume you mean “hunting animals that we can use for food”.)

(p1) we are hunting animals.
(p2) fish are animals.
(c) we are hunting fish.

one does not hunt fish.

there’s a discrepancy …

Here is a nice article on how that Kimmel video and the followup actually helped increase viewership of Kimmel’s late-night show due to it being seen over 100 million times on YouTube.. and even after all that… they are still hesitant to embrace YouTube fully!

Linky at Variety

thanks, interesting.

do a google search — people are desperately trying to find an uncensored version. ;)
as a european, I’m not used to that bleeping stuff. this is just annoying. distracting. if they’d at least mute that one second, but oh, no, it has to be a fucking bleep-sound. bleeping bleepers.

anyway, yeah, the internet is not just for porn anymore. so I guess it’s a good idea to monitor big platforms like youtube in order to try to figure out what people like, where it’s headed.

This help?
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=FvPbxZmZxZ8&feature=related

Even without the actual words you can get your point across, unless you go over someones head. “i don’t think the kids should watch this”, though means they will probably want to check it out anyway.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=De6hTL4IZas

Fuck you! Fuck you all!

Marina,

Don’t lower yourself. Stay clean and be the lovely lady that you are. Using those words will eventually hurt you.

Peace,

:oops:

Funny video buzzword.. I was thinking that when I finally address the f-word.. I may do it in a similar, humorous manner.

It’s funny that YouTube allows whatever slang words you want to use.. yet.. if I show a picture of myself in a bikini a few eyebrows are raised.. interesting…

That is sad, Marina. You are wearing perfectly reasonable clothes in that video (in all your videos). The complaints against you are part of a phenomenon that I’ve noticed over and over again. I call it the “Hooters Phenomenon.”

The Hooters Phenomenon is typified by protests by silly people against Hooters restaurants popping up in their area. Hooters “seems” vulgar and racy to them; however, when you look at it, all it is are young, attractive women in shorts and t-shirts, and long thick leggings that are roughly flesh colored. There is hardly any skin showing and they do nothing other than smile and talk to the patrons. There are other restaurants that have waitresses even more scantily clad right down the road from every Hooters (some even with string bikini waitresses), but they get no protests.

The same goes for you. You are getting protests, even though there is far racier stuff just a click away, and even though your videos are not in the least pornographic, vulgar, or profane.

Why?

The reason is simple. You, like the Hooters girls, are too good looking. It’s a deep-seated misogyny against attractive women that’s at the heart of these protesters and objectors. If the Hooters girls were just average, slightly overweight, women, with plain-Jane personalities, then nobody would object at all. The whole reason Hooters is objectionable is because of the attractiveness of the staff. Similarly, if you were just a plain-Jane wearing the same exact outfit, nobody would object.

Am I right? I think so.

There’s no such thing as a dirty word….only dirty minds.
—Quote invented on the spot by Eric Prospero.

aLx, aLx, aLx, what are you attempting to do here? The discrepancy here lies between your ears. A shark out of water may seem helpless, but it is still a shark. :mrgreen:

And who can forget George Carlin’s dissertation on the 7 words you can’t say on radio or television: http://www.georgecarlin.com/dirty/dirty.html

s$#@
pi##
c#%t
f#%k
c0%ks$@ker
mo$$erf$#ker
t@ts.

And then the 3 additional addendum word: f#rt, t#rd and tw%t.

Ha!

standard language is an abstract thing. no one speaks standard.

is this some zen thing?

I think they use the word “strong” in place of “offensive” because nobody can agree on exactly what is “offensive.”

Back in the day, it was a major issue of censorship that any sort of warnings or “ratings” would be placed on media for this very reason.

you are a parent and anything on youtube should be previewed if your showing it to your kids. Why should Marina babysit your kids? What the hell are you supposed to be doing. Besides that what the fuck is sesame street for? And what in a barrel of bullshit is, “pure”? She can define a word for purely academic or scholarly purposes. If your kids watched video less they would be more healthy anyway. Try reading, there are lots of words in books. I think they even write books for kids. Get off your ass and be a better parent.

you got me rotflmao!!! you so funny!!! And no this is not a Zen thing. Now if I were to ask you how to kill a rock with a fish, that would be a Zen thing.

Dear HotForWords,
I humbly apologize for letting this unintelligible continuance to go on. I really thought aLx was asking how he may catch a fish out in the wilderness should he ever need the survival skill to do so. Oh well, live and learn, eh wot?

Gutter language is a subcategory of philology

to a philologist / linguist, all words are equal. there is no difference. why won’t people understand that? it’s simple. it’s trivial. there are no subcategories like “gutter language”, “professor language”, or whatever. this is crucial. if you don’t understand this, you don’t know what philology is about.
I got an example. “geil” in german meant, and in certain situations still means, “horny”. this has changed. now it means “great”, “good” etc. how did this happen? this is a rhetorical question, of course. and, btw, this is an example that academics use. at least over here.

If you’re going to use salacious language, why not strip while you’re at it?

yes, and then she’ll probably buy a gun and kill people, huh?

dude … this is fucked up.

and why the hell would I limit my vocabulary just because someone thinks it’s “dirty”. whatever that means.

damnit. edit.

Gutter language is a subcategory of philology

to a philologist / linguist, all words are equal. there is no difference. why won’t people understand that? it’s simple. it’s trivial. there are no subcategories like “gutter language”, “professor language”, or whatever. this is crucial. if you don’t understand this, you don’t know what philology is about.
I got an example. “geil” in german meant, and in certain situations still means, “horny”. this has changed. now it means “great”, “good” etc. how did this happen? this is a rhetorical question, of course. and, btw, this is an example that academics use. at least over here.

If you’re going to use salacious language, why not strip while you’re at it?

yes, and then she’ll probably buy a gun and kill people, huh?

dude … this is fucked up.

and why the hell would I limit my vocabulary just because someone thinks it’s “dirty”. whatever that means.

sorry, but this quote was “invented” by someone else long time ago.

–> link.

Hooters came and went in Las Vegas. Why would anyone go to Hooters when the cocktail waitresses wore outfits ten times more conservative than most other casinos on the Strip? A lot of cocktail waitresses expose their buttocks, which can be a good thing or a bad thing visually speaking, depending on the body. My favorite outfits are worn by the waitresses at the Paris Las Vegas. They are reminiscent of French gendarme outfits. They expose quite a bit and are very sexy, but also quite classy. As for Marina, I think she shows restraint. I think she could go a bit further for her fans, but not too much.

The video was really quite amusing. Perhaps Marina can just refer inquirers to this video (as an aside in one of her other videos)? If Marina does do an F-word video, then she could do so without actually fully pronouncing the word. She could also use bleeping. Bleeping it would be funny, actually. There was an episode of the X-Files in which all of the profanity was bleeped, and it was hilarious. I’m sure Marina will do the right thing. As for myself, I would not be offended if she just said the word outright. I think as long as Marina balances words of this nature with other words like butterfly and nuclear, she will be fine.

What academic backwater do you represent? Linguists do not place a value on languages or words. Limiting a linguist is like telling a doctor not to examine an asshole. But doctors do examine assholes, have you been to the doctor lately? As an anthropologist there isn’t a cultural question I wouldn’t explore. The purpose is to contribute to human understanding not censor it.

Breasts aren’t even sexual organs. I’ve gotten into arguments with people about this.

I am raising children. They have encounter many words, languages and cultures. They have been raised to function in a pluralistic society where they will encounter people from all walks of life. They have done so very well. My children understand that our family has it’s way of speaking and behaving. They value the characteristics that make our family unique as well as respect the values of other families and children. In short my children are taught respect, tolerance and self discipline. I do not attempt to construct some homogenous fantasy world where everyone they encounter behaves just as they do. aLx’s point is valid and should not be so arrogantly dismissed.

By the way take some responsibility and preview the videos if you are going to share them with children. Your lazy to expect Marina to alter her behavior to accommodate your specific needs when it is in your power to do so. Take some initiative and raise your own grandchildren. In fact make an example get a dictionary, do some research yourself and show your grandchildren how to do it for themselves.

Go back to my original comment lads, you are preaching to the preacher. Chief :mrgreen:

“Don’t change a thing Marina we like you the way you are. Slang is part of out language and you havn’t displayed an excessive use of profanity so just keep up the good work. Chief “

That statement is so fouled up, “Exercise your choice… to set a good example.” That is the same as saying, “It is your choice, choose this one.” There wasn’t even an alternative offered, “Exercise your choice to set a good example or not.” Here’s a choice, tell her what you want her to do or let her do what she wants. And I agree with you, don’t bleep it.

Actually sticks and stones are still weapons. So there would still be weapon makers. A hand can be used as a weapon. So… um. I yea I think Marina should be able to go fishing with a gun and if hitman wants to fish with his hands thats alright too.

futurama fucking rules.

“…and breeding of a higher DNA culture.” Thats really arrogant and implies some fucked up meme eugenics shit. There aren’t any superior cultures.

If any of the people you listed used any profane slang word as a linguist does, no I would not have a problem. Because the intention is not vulgar.

You dip shit. You don’t look anything like matt damon.

X-Files cool, their doing another movie. I disagree with the bleeping though.

not yet.

Hello BUZZword
My kids do real quite a lot.I think thats why thy are interested in the origins of words.And i do perview every thing and i mean every thing thy do on my PC.But Hotforwords was not a problem until now.I think giving the origin of slang words is quite different than just blerting them out in a sentance.For example–In a preveuse video Marina used a F word while reading some ones sceen name.(stfubuddy)
This is uncalled for and i will not tallerate the use of slang just for blerting out.IF Marina wants to give the origin of the F word then that would be academic and scholsrly.And there’s no way ,im taking the advice of razing children form some one named BUZZ.So Buzzoff

OK, let’s get into some specifics here. “Slang words” is a very broad area, and Marina, as I understand it, is referring to a certain subset of slang. I think what we’re referring to is some or all of the following:

1. An insult is any phrase directed at a person, intended to offend or disrespect that person. Example: Marina’s evil twin sister calling her a “bitch”. (The word “bitch” is a perfectly useful word when referring to canine biology, and it’s the insulting intent that makes the language vulgar.)

2. Profanity (or blasphemy) is denigrating or disrespecting something that some person holds as sacred. Using a deity’s name “in vain” would be an example of this.

3. Cursing is uttering a phrase that wishes evil or harm on someone. (Example: “damn you”)

4. Taboo refers to using words which invoke ideas which are considered inappropriate in the context. (Example: Mentioning excreta in a formal setting.)

5. Dysphemism (or cacophemism) is using intentionally harsh words when a more polite word exists. (Example: When referring to excrement or feces in a factual context, using the word “shit” instead would be unhelpful.)

I suggest the following guidelines:

1. It’s never wrong for a philologist to utter a word or phrase if it’s appropriate to the academic topic under discussion. If that’s the word being discussed, or it’s part of the history of the word being discussed, then it’s entirely appropriate to use it. However…

2. If in doubt, you can always put in a disclaimer at the start of the video, and/or put the video behind a birth date check. (IMO, birth date checks aren’t used enough on YouTube.)

3. Insulting or cursing anyone other than yourself (or, I suppose, your not-so-evil twin sister) has no place in HotForWords-land.

4. Profanity is wrong, except for guideline #1.

5. Given the scholarly nature of HotForWords’ videos, I’m not personally worried about taboo. If a topic legitimately came up that was seriously marginal, like incest or infanticide (which are real scholarly topics that real anthropologists study), then we might have a problem. At the very least, guideline #2 would apply there.

6. Dysphemism is usually wrong, given the tone of the videos, though once again, see guideline #1.

Now, having said that…

English has the concept that some words are just “bad words”. Very few other languages have this concept, as far as I can see.

Pretty much all languages have insulting phrases, but most construct them from ordinary everyday words, much like Marina’s evil twin sister’s use of the word “bitch”. I can think of a few exceptions, such as the French word “merde”, but I can’t think of many other examples. (How about Russian, Marina?)

The origins of some of these words are fascinating, and seem to be related to the peculiar history of English. The two largest influences on English are the Germanic Saxon language and the French of the Norman invaders. The new Norman aristocracy considered Saxon dialect to be “low” or “uncouth”[1], and that changed into the modern concept of a word that’s just bad on its own.

There’s an argument that suggests that by labelling words as “bad” just on their own, we’re perpetuating the cultural genocide of Saxons perpetrated by the Norman invaders. I’ll leave that for others to argue.

I think I’ve written enough now.

Footnotes:

[1] Suggested HotForWords video topic: Where does the word “uncouth” come from, and why is nothing described as “couth”?

“It is your choice, choose this one.”
That’s exactly what I was saying, Buzz; it is definitely Marinas choice and only she can make it but, since she asked for everyone’s opinion, I was urging her to make the choice which, in my opinion, is the right one.
And my comment was directed to Marina who is obviously a highly intelligent person and I was confident that the “or not” would be clearly understood.
Since you appear to want everything spelt out in the minutest detail, you are either not very intelligent or else you’re just looking for an excuse to pick a fight with someone.
And BTW, (By the way, BTW stands for “By the way” :smile: ), why did you write that my comment is “so FOULED up” instead of the “so FUCKED up” that I would expect from you? Self censorship creeping in? Growing up at last? :razz: :razz: :razz: :lol:

Buzzwort wrote … If your kids watched video less they would be more healthy anyway. Try reading …

How is reading more healthy than watching videos? Is it more aerobic? Does turning the pages increase strength more than pressing buttons? Are words on a page higher in vitamin content than words floating around in the ether?

Please spell it out for me, Buzz; I’m probably not as intelligent as you. :razz: :razz: :razz: :lol:

I have changed my mind (I watched Kimmel’s video’s – thanks aLx!). Give your students lessons about slang, no bleeps.
Marina, look what you went and done! Scores of comments and replies! And you didn’t even give a lesson! People love to weigh in on old cultural taboos. You have the perfect platform to address slang, profanity, obsenity, dirty words, whatever. If you are as clever as I think you are, your lessons on slang will be a philological coup de t’at. You should go ahead and teach us about the origins of words and phrases that are part of our culture. You’re vids are fun to watch, and I learn something, too. You have it dead-on, education is sexy, and controversy is entertaining.

They could say that the program contains language that SOME PEOPLE MAY find offensive in the same way they say that it contains scenes that SOME PEOPLE may find disturbing.
My objection is that, while the above does not attach a value to the words or scenes, calling it STRONG language does appear to do so especially in the eyes of the young &/or impressionable, making them think that it is “big” or “cool” to use such words.

Aplose.aplose.Well said.I agree.

This one is somewhat difficult. I eventually decided on “no” but I think I may have to change my mind on that one. While I don’t like slang and don’t think it should be used in normal conversation, I’m sure we all use slang at some point or other without even realizing it. I would request that if you use any slang, it should only be so that you can disparage said slang, show how it is used incorrectly, or perhaps come up with a better word for the same thing. But don’t use it as normal conversation if you can help it.

Damn – I must have heard that somewhere before…. darn it.

Yes, but what made the X-Files episode so funny was that the characters themselves were actually saying “bleeping.” As in, “It’s a bleeping crime that your bleeping cousin shot that bleeping alien in the back.” Anyway, I’m looking forward to the new X-Files movie. I was a big fan when the TV show aired, and I have the first film on DVD.

I was just thinking that Marina could do a video with an actual F-bomb whose fuse is lit and shortening by the second. Marina keeps cleverly alluding to, but not actually stating, the word, then finally says, “Okay, you all know what the word is. So I might as well say it. The word is f–” and the bomb explodes before she can finish saying it. When she reappears, her face is a bit blackened and she shakes her head with resignation. She’s not going to say the word after all. . . . Then her evil twin breaks into the video, and we are sure she is going to say the word triumphantly. Instead, she just shakes her head and laughs with glee at Maina’s misfortune. Then she turns to the viewers, winks, and says in that eerie ways of hers . . . “I love you!”

Lividemerald – exactly my point. Hooters, more conservative, garners protests almost wherever it goes. It’s because of perception, I guess, and too many good looking women in one place (deep seated misogyny).

Sorry to post this twice, but…
I was just thinking you could do a video with an actual F-bomb whose fuse is lit and shortening by the second. You keep cleverly alluding to, but not actually stating, the word, then finally say, “Okay, you all know what the word is. So I might as well say it. The word is f-” and the bomb explodes before you can finish saying it. When you reappear, your face is a bit blackened and you shake your head with resignation. You’re not going to say the word after all. . . . Then your evil twin breaks into the video, and we viewers are sure she is going to say the word triumphantly. Instead, she just shakes her head and laughs with glee at your misfortune. Then your evil twin turns to the viewers, winks, and says in that eerie voice of hers . . . “I love you!”

Buzzword – I think you are right, literally speaking. A breast is not a “sex organ” as a sex organ is “an organ involved in sexual reproduction.” Breasts are not involved in sexual reproduction, and therefore are not sex organs.

However, breasts are to many people “sexually arousing” and stimulating. Very much so, in some cases…. ahem… errr… ahh… where was I.. oh, yeah..

“sex” itself is primarily defined as “sexual intercourse” which is primarily defined as “coitus – using penis and vagina.”

Other “acts” are often referred to as “sex acts” even though “sex act” is defined in the dictionary as “sexual intercourse” (and the definition of sexual intercourse does not include “other” acts – trying to be delicate here…).

This is an interesting topic, linguistically and otherwise, but I hesitate to go to deep into it (pun obviously intended) here. Perhaps Marina will take the ball and run with it on her Radio Show on Sirius…. what is “sex,” “sexual relations,” “sexual intercourse,” etc.? What are other so-called “sex acts” if they are not included in those preceding terms? Where do the terms originate?

Philologically, philomathically and philogynously speaking this would be very interesting to give this subject a long hard look.

Hello Marina, beautiful greetings from Germany sends you guenstig-leben-bauen.de :mrgreen:

You’re a classy dame Marina, kids like you and so do daddies.

Kent

if i were in this position, i would definitely keep them, but without going completely belligerent. there’s a difference between saying “boterschijte is dutch for ‘butter shit,’” while talking about word origins, and saying “hello my dear students, your teacher, hotforwords, is back with another lesson, motherfuckers!”

I say “remain pure” but it could go either way.

I say that you can definitely say slang uncensored because of your profession. Not only that, I think you should. Slang is the result of an ever evolving language and there is not reason to censor it or try not to use them at all. Whether you want to use slang in your everyday speech is up to you. I’m sure you won’t use too much vulgar language or you’ll have a mob of cyber geeks running after you with soap trying to clean your mouth out. So buy that one brand of gum to clean your mouth just in case.

btw – YOU ROCK!

Words are part of the language. Whether written or spoken. Proper or slang. Censorship is a failure and will continue to be so because every word that is banned can easily be replaced. New slang words develop all the time. It’s better that people just realise that words are just words and not to get bent out of shape about it.

Honestly what would be more offensive. Calling some a swear word…or calling them a Child Molester? Getting right to the point being called a child molester is alot more rude and offensive then any swear/curse words could ever be.

Marina:
I do not think you should use them on a regular basis it would make you look cheap and less intelligent, but once and a while would be fine if used in the proper circumstance. you are pure and refreshing keep it that way

Have you tried ebonics?

I don’t mind your using slang words, It’s your job to say those words and explain them, but I don’t want you go overboard, I like to take your lessons and pass them on to other people. I don’t want to only be talking about slang words.

When discussing the origin of words and phrases it is entirely appropriate for adults to use whatever words turn up in the etymology. It is very much like the strange way we seem to find talking about the human body itself vulgar. It certainly is not vulgar, but our antiquated treatment of the subject is.

You should discuss slang but avoid vulgarities if possible.

American Academy of Pediatrics

after reading of all this, maybe your next word should being ‘epeen’

Except our trusty teacher wasn’t saying “oh shit, it’s from a butterly”. The word butterfly was derived from the dutch word for shit. It would be silly not to use it. It’s just a word. The usuage is what makes a word vulgar, not a specific ordering of letters. Marina wasn’t being vulgar, she was being educational.

Family Literacy

AMEN! :grin:

Bob,

I never said you were less intelligent. You could be much more intelligent than me. You could be a complete idiot and be completely right as well. My opinions could be completely wrong and I could be a super genius. I think we’ve both made our positions clear. No point in arguing.

hey marina. mi ah wan u keep usin d words like a normal person wuld do it. it dont mattah as dem words is part of d english language so use dem….no point inna bleep dem out.

i talk jamaican online and off. deal wid it for those ppl who think i mutilate the english language. it aint no gangsta bull. its just how mi ah speak inna realf life an mi ah fi do it online 2.

The word butterfly was derived from the dutch word for shit.

no.

Yea, after rereading your statement and mine, I was being an ass pain. I wasn’t picking a fight just picking at details. I use, “fuck” frequently, but I like to change it up a bit. And I do self censor or consciously change my speaking habits at will. Depends on the audience and the performance.

type with a jamaican accent? There is difference between type with a cultural accent and type like a retarded monkey…..

it just seeming strange to me to seeing someone type like it and say its jamaican, when I have brothers inlaw who is jamaican and his words don’t looking like that. I pasted copy your message to him on yahuy, he will find its humorous how people think to spell jamaican words lol

tdwnarrows

So, which is less acceptable; slang, misspellings, or ungrammatical sentences? Buzzword is just a handle, but this guy’s name was really Buzz.

I have no idea what your point is dvdpage, but here is a ebonics or AAE link for anyone interested.

Pseudonym is suggestive.

peter tosh will rock steady forever.

His communication is a personal expression, he can do with it what he wants. I understood what he said, thats what matters. Successful communication.

Marina,

You are so beautiful. Don’t use the ugly words, the are not becoming. If there is an educational reason, then by all means, use them -sparingly-.

You have a great thing going here, and the more professional you remain the farther you can take this.

I know most of your students would like you to go the other direction, use the foul language and start posting on YouPorn where you don’t have to keep your bikini on. As much as I’d enjoy that, I don’t think that is the carreer path you want to follow. ;o)~

Keep up the good work. I’m learning lots and lovin’ every minute of it.

BUZZword
slang,misspillings or ungrammatical senntences are all unacceptable,but slang is the one thats not tallerated in my family.

AMEN !

AMEN

I can’t stop laughing, after readig all the comments so far, & it’s a fascinating discussion, your post is quite refreshing. I can’t think now, Good night. :lol: :lol:

That’s funny shrevem :grin:

what is more pure than truth – these are words we experience, not to know about them helps ignorance.

I like “buzzword”, too. Good nick.

In the case of “boterschijte”, it’s even more defensible to translate it as “butter shit” than “butter excrement”, since “shit” and “schijt” are cognates.

A little bit of research suggests that “schijt” is considered coarse language today. Was it at the time?

Thank you for your reply, Buzz, and I’m glad to hear that you say you consciously change your speaking habits in consideration for your audience.
I think that is the civilised thing to do and I strive to do the same. On an open forum such as this, however, we don’t know who the audience is; we don’t know how young and impressionable they are or how prudish or naive they are, so I think it is wise to try and be as “goody-goody” as possible to avoid giving offence or teaching them something that, if they used it, might give offence to those who hear it from them.
That is my standard of behaviour.
I’m not expecting everyone to adopt it and I’m not ramming it down anyone’s throat; I only ask that people consider whether it has any merit.
On your other point, that you like to change your use of profanity up a bit, I once witnessed a Petty Officer in the Navy pour invective over the heads of a boatload of hapless recruits who had incurred his wrath for a full fifteen minutes, barely repeating any one word or phrase more than once. It was interesting, inventive, humorous, eloquent and impressive and he gained the respect of everyone on that boat, though I thought it a bit sad that he had spent so much time searching the dictionary for such language. Still, long boring periods at sea have to be filled somehow, I suppose.

Marina,

Are you trying to create controversy for the sake of calling attention to yourself? You do not need this. You may be spending too much time on talk radio. This tactic is beneath you. It appeals to the wrong demographic.

You are an educator. What is it that you wish to teach people?

You are a cultural icon. Is this the behaviour that you want to instill in others? Is this the culture that you want to promote?

What it comes down to is a simple question. What do you value? Be true to you and your viewership will

The other question is, what do you want to be admired for? Whose regard to you value? Before you decide you should read the autobiography of Marilyn Munro.

blondebond, don’t worry, this lesson just opened the door to be able to discuss the use of profanity in regards to discussing word origins. It gives me an opportunity to see my audience’s reaction… but you will not see me going down any path of vulgarity. I’m not vulgar in real life, why would I be online?

Of course, just be yourself Marina. Explain the words, educate us all & entertain us all at the same time! Vulgar or not – who cares …

the civilised thing

as opposed to … ?

Use those words and don’t bllep em.

In the first place, the bleep is useless as you still can figure out what word is about to come an second, in my eyes this bleeping-thing is typically american. Like “Hoooo those words are so evil!” but in the News, you see shot or blown up people every day. What is more evil…?

Besides
Everyone uses the words, everyone knows them but in TV, they bleep it out. AFTER the 1st letter, like f-bleep- or sh-bleep-….who the hell won’t know what word was said?

If you called it something different like scat or, bleep it your still talking about the same thing. There will always be someone offended by what is said to a group of people.

Bob,

This is a public discourse, for the sake of liberty everyone better be prepared to be offended. The advantages of participating in a free and open dialogue generally outweigh any offenses experienced. The alternative is fundamentally oppressive, uncreative and insulting to basic freedoms. An offense far more threatening in my opinion. Taking the audience into consideration is well… considerate. However who must be accommodated? Does one alter their behavior to satisfy the most conservative or innocent of participants. The natural measure is the response of the participating masses as they impose social pressure on the offender. Unfortunately, some offense must be taken to initiate this response. I understand your position and further appreciate your consideration and effort. But I disagree. No offense intended.

No offence taken, Buzz. Disagreement is the basis for discussion which is the basis for increasing understanding.
To reply to your first point :- “for the sake of liberty everyone better be prepared to be offended”, I refer to the dialogue of the military investigation following the Amritsa Massacre of 1919.
Quote from Pax Americana
ADVOCATE: General Dyer, is it correct that you ordered your troops to fire at the thickest part of the crowd?
DYER (righteously): That is so.
ADVOCATE: One thousand five hundred and sixteen casualties with one thousand six hundred and fifty bullets.
DYER: My intention was to inflict a lesson that would have an impact throughout all India.
INDIAN BARRISTER: General, had you been able to take in the armored car, would you have opened fire with the machine gun?
DYER: I think, probably – yes.
HUNTER: General, did you realize there were children – and women – in the crowd?
DYER (a beat): I did.
ADVOCATE: But that was irrelevant to the point you were making?
DYER: That is correct.
ADVOCATE: Could I ask you what provision you made for the wounded?
DYER (a moment, then firmly): I was ready to help any who applied.
ADVOCATE: General . . . how does a child shot with a 3-0-3 Enfield “apply” for help?
End of quote.
Now I don’t know how true a record this dialogue from the film “Ghandi” is, but it serves to illustrate my point.
How does a child prepare to be offended?
Children don’t take offence; they observe adults and copy what they see them doing.
I don’t want to share responsibility for future generations growing up to behave like playground bullies or Mongol hordes.
Maybe my attitude is based on a misunderstanding but I don’t recall any controls to access to this web site for minors.
Perhaps Marina will set my mind at rest by confirming that no children are a party to these discussions and then we can all swear like troopers with a clear conscience.

I think there is a danger in moving too much to the level of your audience. The reason why I stopped to watch your video all the way is that you appear to be a reserved and cultured person, and because you are sincere as a teacher and offer interesting content. If I had heard indiscriminant profanity, I would not have finished it.

Also, do you really want to attract all the “jagoffs” in the world to your site? It already borders on porn-lite. Porn, as opposed to art, is marked by combining sex and excrement, violence, faux or real torture or pain, the degradation of women, etc. That is to say, it is anti-intellectual, emotional feed for the bored and boring.

If anything, I should think you would want to be a bit more feminist, to inspire young girls to have self-respect and not just do what the boys all want. You should want to have a positive “self-resepcting” model of “sexy.”

(You should also avoid touching your breasts while dancing in the videos.)

Of course, if you ask this kind of survey question, involving freedom of speech, you will always get the kind of result that you do. The web tends to be libertarian in this regard.

As a general marketing rule, once you find a formula that works, stick with it, however….

….one of my customers runs a corn-porn portal site and has come up in the world to the point of being chummy with Howard Stern, who I detest. I am not going to mention the website name because it is already way too popular, with an internet ranking < 4000. (BTW: an original word origin for your readers: they call their clients “beaters.”) You do not need to be be so popular…but if you do want that, you would do better to shoot for Oprah rather than the dirty man show.

Do not find slang intelectually stimulating by any means,and you could debate the subject “until the cows come home!”.Many good points both pro & con,however in the context that you are using them I personally find no offense.
Love your show, :smile:

I noticed when in Holland last week tabacco is called Shag. Anyone know how this got mixed up as a slang word for sex?

:cool:

A-team

I’m not a member of your family. To which I am sure we are both relieved. However your post is full of misspellings and ungrammatical sentences. All of which don’t bother me.

As a parent I am responsible to my children. I am responsible for their access and exposure to the world. If they acquire or are provided access beyond my control or knowledge then I am still responsible to them and it is my failure. I do not assume that anyone else is should be responsible to my children. That I believe would be a mistake, a dangerous one. When I leave my child alone or in someone else’s care I am choosing to isolate them from my guidance and protection. Anything that happens to them is my fault. You are best suited to govern your charges, expect no one else to do as well.

For the f-word video I think you should fly me or aLx out to Cali to interview. By the way my airfare would be cheaper.

Your nonstandard English is another’s standard English, and vice versa. Classing particular words which play a role in our language’s etymology as substandard is elitist. It’s ignoring their real role and utility in our language, setting them to lower-class status for arbitrary, capricious reasons.

While I would not support Marina using “shit” or “fuck” as general intensifiers, I think they are appropriately used when in context of discussing the origin of a word or phrase in question. Those of us who are are adults, we can either deal or leave. Those of us who are not, we,, some growing up is in order so as to accept that these words play some part in the development of “acceptable” language.

somehow you didn’t really get my point, I think.

“standard english” means “grammatical” english, as in following the rules of a grammar book.

no one speaks standard.

ferdinand de saussure will help you out. do the google thing.

See Austin Powers’ references to “Shagging”. Back in the late 60′s/early 70′s “shag” style carpeting was a very popular decorative choice for one’s home. It had a very deep, loose type of pile which was well suited to f–king on the floor, from which I believe the term “shagging” originated. Hence, shag = sex!

Dear teacher,

Are there slang words in other languages than English? If so, what are some examples?

Anyone using sland/curse words generally come across as slow minded and lowbrow even in youtube world, why do that to a successful forum?

Correction *slang* for the spelling police ;)

well not that i care or that you would read it , but using foul language is not very nice , i use it all the time but thats because im most of the time pissed off. any way you are very pretty princess. ti ochen krasivaya.

Marina,
I for one have a problem with all the censorship. People just don’t get it. Words are just the an arrangement letters of an alphabet. For some reason we have taken it upon ourselves to protect people who perceive that someone is insulting them or hurting them because of what they think the intended meaning of the word is. This is like trying to protect stupid people from being labeled as stupid. As for vulgar or profane that’s a matter of religion which I happen to subscribe to the Zeitgeistmove.com theory. Unless having a clear understanding by person who receives them, I think words are meaningless. Does a miss spleled wrod hvae a different meaning?

http://www.platonia.com/papers.html

i say “fuck” the P.M.R.C. just like megadeth’s hook in mouth explains. please say what you want to say. :cool:

Hello Marina, it is also possible to use German words to explain, of course in Englisch language ? Thank you for a short Info ! :mrgreen:

oh Behave! :)

nice theory tho, makes good sence. Have to go now and find my mojo!!!

Leave the profanity out. There is enough of it in the world and you have a lifetime of other interesting words to choose from. Save that stuff for Maxim. After all, you are worth more than just shock value.
Medfordguy

As was told to me by a professor of English, if you understood what he meant, it doesn’t matter if he used the correct form of language. Getting the point or meaning across is what is important. So, with that being said, slang should be accepted as long as everyone understands or agrees to it’s meaning.

Marina, what is “just a skoche” as relates to a measurement or distance?

I disagree with your professor. Using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation is important, as is correct word usage. These rules assist in conveying meaning, because they are common rules.

Breaking them is fine, but as many great writers have said, you should know the rules in order to properly break them.

…although to be clear – using curse words is not necessarily a violation of any rule.

Understood.

At the time, someone with little education was giving a speech. I can’t remember what the topic was but I casually asked if it bothered him that a particular word was being used incorrectly. He stated that after all of his years of teaching, correcting everyone would be constant and would use all of his time. Some writing has more “meaning” if it is written in the native tongue of the writer.

We could spend too much time correcting everyone and not enough listening to them. Great writers or not, isn’t the idea to communicate? This could be argued for a long time, but I still think that “slang” can be used appropriately if it gets the meaning across.

I agree with his professor.

rules are arbitrary. without breaking the rules, there can be no language change. which would be odd now, wouldn’t it?
linguists assocciate with “grammar” something else than non-linguists. when a linguist talks about grammar, he refers to the grammar in your head. now, we’re talking language systems. a system consists of two things. one, its elements. two, the relations(hips?) between those elements.
you have words in your head. this is your mental dictionary (those are the elements). by the age of three, humans usually have acquired a great deal of their mother tongue’s grammar (how to build sentences, phrases, questions, and so fort), that is, they know the syntactic rules (those are the relations). by the age of six, their linguistic development is complete.
you’re talking about spelling and punctuation. this applies to written language. written language is rather unimportant to linguists. try to see it as some sort of side effect.
can you talk to a six-year-old? will you be able to understand him? yes, you will. will he be able to understand you? yes, he will.
again, language is not based on rules that you find in a book.
when acquiring a language, children automatically look for rules and apply them. think of the “incorrect” usage of plural forms, like, “childs” instead of “children”. -s seems to be their default for forming plural forms (you can argue that the default suffix for plural forms in english is a null suffix, but that is another story).

Marina, I voted that you should use the words as freely as you like without bleeping them. But the real answer is that you should do what you are comfortable doing. If you don’t like using a word, don’t use it. Use the language you are comfortable using, and be true to yourself as well as your science.

~ Rod

Здравствуйте Марина
You have enough devoted students that you do not need You-tube. If you had your own stand alone website you do not need anyone’s permission. I’d follow you anywhere, okay I am not going to LA. I’d be to nervous to bend over and pick up my dropped notebook.
Искренне ваш Ралф Мари

fuckin’ a, man.

yeah, well …

Total for all passengers (1):
$830.75 (USD)

mhm.

you know how all the airports have an iata code? like, for miami it’s “mia”, atlanta international is “atl”.
los angeles international airport’s code is LAX.

ha! so much for anagrams.

Eh!-men

Still laughing three days later, and I don’t know why but these discussions are roling over in my head @ work @ home etc. Some words, although heard worldwide every day, mean or carry different wieght or pack a different punch.& depending on how delivered or who delivers. Simply put, for me hearing a Pretty Woman pepper her prose with profanity, how do I say it, disheartens me. It’s probably, as described on the radio show, like knowing that supermodels “Take a crap” I’m not interested in knowing that, so please don’t publish it text or pictures in any of the publications I subscribe to. But I’m not opinionated at all. Cheers!

“Whew”… Affirmed. :smile:

you should definately use curse words if need be. our languages are ever changing and adapting to the life and times of the peoples! for example the word shit. from what ive found long ago in the days of early colinization they shipped manure over from europe in large crates on ships in crates for fertilization of fields and such. well with all the water coming into the ship from the rain the crates would get wet and when dried manure gets wet it releases methane gas. on these ships at night you had to go below deck to smoke because of the light of embers pirates could see you. well when they went into the cargo hold of these ships to smoke that trapped methane gas would ignite and the whole ship would burn. so they started transporting these crates on the deck of the ship and wrote Ship High In Transport on these crates, or s.h.i.t. for short.

If you can express the words with a video demonstration it is O.K.,

What is written in OED and what is common sense in popular rap music you can use. gobstopper fizzy lifter and typical party words belong in that context and if that is not understood it can easily
be demonstratet.

If you believe that a public person would use the word on
Speakers’ Corner you can use it.

What you cannot do or say or express in front of a policeman
or policewoman is not in my interest to learn.

Shakespeare was known for using all kinds of language.
And all words.

Winston Churchill was also known for very good speeches,
and excellent writing.

Anything which comes to the media and is in public discussion
for an interested listener esp BBC will always be part of public opinion.

What could be a problem is if you take a toy teddy bear and names it Mohammed. please don’t.

Thank you teacher, Miss Marina. Howard Stern has his schtick, and it seems that not everything that a man does, works well with women. Awhile ago ( 1987?), Mr. Michael really really bad Jackson seemed to be preoccupied with random crotch grabbing in his videos. It sort of worked for him, but when Madona tried to push the envelope to do the same thing, she did not get positive results. On behalf of only myself, this dear student is happy that Hotforwords/ Marina distinguishes herself between profanity and slang. Thank you!

Dear Mr. aLx: Why doesth thou speak such? No one speaks standard english? If thou wouldst take a job to answer the telephone, surely thou wouldst not get hired with thine attitude of no one speaks standard english. If thou were a gnynecologist, wouldst thou speak to thine patients in a manner, with structure to sentences, and standard structure with words? That structure, is a standard. Hast thou been very far from thine social setting, to be engulfed in a different language/culture setting? Hast thou spent time with the Amish/Eskimoes/Aborigines/Cannibals/ect.? Thine opinions are not necessarily the Truth/Fact. Wherefore in thine posting before, thou hast tried to bring down a newbie blogger for their abundance of smiley faces, because that person was not using thine standard for blogging. Okay, Mr.aLx, havest thou a surfs up day. And I thank you Miss Marina/dear teacher, for allowing us to blog for awhile, whilst we attempt to get our grades up in thine homework class, which I believe is thine purpose.

no, you still don’t get my point.

nobody know all the rules. that’s what it all comes down to. everyone generates syntactically correct sentences, or words. that’s not the issue.

as soon as you use colloquial expressions, you’re not using the “standard” anymore. now, this is not a judgement. no language is better than the other.

people use the grammar in their heads, not the rules listed in a book.

I don’t think it’s a freedom of speech factor, you were referencing the origin of a word. Censoring the definition would have stripped the validity of it’s background.

It’s not like you were calling someone a shit eater :razz:

Some slang words that should be researched:

Butt Fuck Egypt (or England) or Bum Fuck Egypt/England

aviation blonde

balloon knot

ain’t no thing but a chicken wing

beat around the bush

coyote ugly

jump the shark

mondo bizarro

negatory

open a can of whoop-ass

pissing for shits and giggles

poon tang

cock block

schlong

MILF

People, as I said before the proclivity to pepper one’s prose with profanity, prevents the perception of proffesionalism thus prohibiting the participants, in the practice, from proceeding up the provebial pegs on the ladder of praise from all precincts. Got to go p now.
If you get desensitized to whatever you call it I just wrote, too many p words, it can’t be good, can it?
If you need to be desensitized to the f-bomb so called.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gU2ZgaQ_H-Y
“Do you have to use so many cuss words” Not so many as so often.
Profanity is a different subject, tends to polarize people, actualy people have a propensity to polarize themselves.
I’m a Christian, and that sets up a perception amongst folks that ranges from fear, to anger to false praise towards me. The broad term “christian” is so different in the way its perceved that I wouldn’t think of lighting that fire here, So I will just say that for me (in a lot of areas I admit to being a hypocrite) The same tongue I use to Praise God, is the same one that I should not curse men with. Its a struggle that I have. Cheers, sorry i’ve got to abreviate my comments , :smile:

I don’t see any reason to censor yourself. Just the opposite, you are a teacher, teach what you feel is appropriate.

However, I don’t think that automatically means you have to focus undue attention on slang or as you say curse words. If you honestly feel it adds something to the discussion, use it.

inteligent thought-out discussions with adults shouldn’t be censored. That said; You tube is a public forum that children access. Making or using slang words or profanity in your videos could get you in trouble with the parents or others that find it offensive. I didn’t vote in your survey because its your choice on how to deal with the content of your videos. The responcibility lies only with you.

What is the origin of the word coquette?

What is the origin of the word “salsa” referring to the dance, not the food condiment.

Why not use slang? It’s part of our everyday vocabulary. As long as you aren’t profane or obscene, go for it!. Two hundred years ago George Washington said “Profanity is ignorance made audible.” Still applies today and from what I see you are anything but an ignorant woman. While we’re at it, what is the etymology of the word “slang”? Where did “slang” come from?

Well you polled everyone, got the answer listened to the overwhelming majority and delivered profanity with a warning for the kids.
Very professional behaviour I must say Marina.

Although your bloopers are deliberately left in thus reducing the professionalism they are very entertaining and do give you a very endearing honest quality.
Sounds a bit condescending sorry but keep up the good work. We are all proud of you and hearing about you.

And of course being far 2hotforwords you have got the Wired magazine in the bag (the one that let the cat out !)

I see that you shared my idea of making the alter ego sister take the blame for anything naughty by uttering the profanity.

We need to start a new adjective that means Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, + pulchritudinous x 100
Maybe with your popularity you can go into the etymological history books for being the source of the words marinaistic, marinaism, LOL

Self-censorship is just plain wrong. The artist should never change they’re message to placate the masses. Leave it to the individual to hide they’re own head in the sand. It is they’re responsibility. To do otherwise is to allow the most closed minds to control what is considered appropriate
Once upon a time the world was considered flat.

Marina,

The only reason I voted for “bleeping” them out is that I like some younger visitors would gain a lot of information.
In fact I have told some friends of mine, that have children, they should make their kids watch this “show”

In fact you could do another one (just what you need more work) one aimed and kids, K-12 .

Just my 2 cents.

Yours,

Robert

I don’t get what you mean self-censorship is wrong, I censor what I say, what I write & even what I do but I DON’T WANT OTHERS TO CENSOR ME. caps lock oops. I didn’t self censor. I’m fairly aware of the world around me & I try to make a possitive difference in my little spere of influence. My driveway’s considerably flat.. If everybody did they’re own self censoring & showed a little understanding toward other individuals (Forgetting the masses) a different world it would be. We, as a society depend far to much on media & big influence to direct our way of thinking, but I consider who I’m talking to Individually, and then II will comunicate. If I’m speaking to a latge audience I will tailor it to the spere of imfluence that gives my communication context. ie I wouldn’t go to a slum & tell the people there they have to conserve energy & cut back on carbon emmisions it would be just stupid of me not to censor myself. But i would try to encouragge & give hope & inspiration to those in need along with tangable help where neccesary.
Did you really mean self- censorship is wrong , if so enlighten me.

First, the question was on the use of slang terms and whether she should censor herself by using them or not.
All words are equal in that they are part of the language. People swear everyday. Why pretend otherwise? Why pretend slang terms don’t exist. Why use them but bleep them. It only gives them more percieved power than they deserve.
If the word fits and has context to the message then use it. I’m not so simple minded I can’t see the difference between the ignorance one who’s every third word is fuck and one who uses it with true meaning.

Secound , she uses a mass media outlet. That means anyone can look or not. It’s they’re responsibility to turn the channel. It’s they’re responsibility to protect they’re kids. Not the artists. Not the media outlets unless they’re advertising to them. She’s already made her content adult oriented by flashing her big tits and hot body all over the place. To use sex to sell.
Why is that okay but not the use of slang terms or the discussion of they’re meanings? Why are you here and not talking to some dowdy librian.

By censoring yourself your changing the message to suit me. Your saying I’m too stupid to decide for myself. Allowing me to remain ignorant rather than give me the chance to see.
My driveway is considerably flat also. But you know what? Water runs off it. There is a curve there. No denying it.

Thznks for the quick repy, so you somewhat agree self sensorship is right and thats what HFW does. As far as I know censorship started making tits more interesting by covering them up, breasts are origionally for children anyways. If Marina were completely exposed in her videos, it wouldn’t be sexy, to me anyways.
I enjoy the sirrus radio shows & the way Marina handles all the word origins & she is carefull & remains very classy as well as sexy. I.m still out on which side of the bleepin thing though. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=6lcmNaXmjvs ,can add humour.
I am a shop owner & when I have to tell my customer what’s fucking wrong with his piece of shit car as explained by the tech. I tailor my explaination to their sensitivitys’.
I was not attracted to the HFW phenom by her looks anyways, but because , as my brother says, she is captivating. the first HFW video I saw was http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JHWFaikkIPY
My driveway is to damn flat, if the drain plugs up I got a big mess on my hands. Thanks again

Everyone self-censors when he or she chooses what he or she wants to say and what he or she doesn’t want to say. I choose not to curse around young children, for example. That’s not wrong.

Don’t put words in my mouth. I’ll stand by my original statement. Your example simply doesn’t qualify. You (not an artist) speaking with a customer (not a mass of viewers) isn’t on the same level.

No intention to put words in your mouth meant. Thanls for the conversation, its no fun to argue if everybody agrees. :cool:

I am new here and I am infatuated like I am sure allot of you are.. Do not change a thing… Keep it simple, And you are doing way to well you can not help but to grow. Congrats on your success..

The use of profanity has become so standard now days that there are many who will not even notice.
That being said. The use of profanity is generally the sign of a lack of intelligence, people curse because they do not know a more effective way to express themselves or they do so purely for shock value.
With that observation comedians who rely too heavily on cursing usually aren’t that funny, they only get the laughs from the shock value. This is also playing to the lowest element in society.
:neutral:

Just remember what is todays “proper” speech was yesterdays slang [;

It all depends on how it’s used.

Hello, teacher!

Do as you wish about them, because you should talk as natural as possible, and as you like.

Anyway, I suggest you don’t abuse of slang words, because you can use the richness of the language by using a variety of words (
synonymous, etc) After all, you are phylologyst. But I think that using curse words sometimes in your cuts or after the class are OK. It’s very human :smile: Classes must have a serious part (more professional), and a more funny part, don’t think so, Marina? :wink:

See you!

There is no such thing as a dirty word. Nor is there a word so powerful, that it’s going to send the listener to the lake of fire upon hearing it.
– Frank Zappa

Should a Doctor be censored for using the word “penis” as it may offend a patient? As long as you do not use the lords name vainly, then I see nothing wrong in using a word in discussion of origin if it is important to the lesson. If you want to remain pure, then live pure, but that alone won’t get you into heaven. Remember that.

unless you become truly foaming-at-the-mouth irate (i.e., a mad russian…worse, a mad russian woman), i doubt any utterances from your sweet lips would be construed as anything other than…

necessary… :mrgreen:

I would say *never* censor *any* of Your media unless it happens to be *aimed* at a childrens or church type of audience. There’s no kids looking over My shoulder so I say,,fuckin don’t worry about it,swear as much as You fuckin please to swear,,Goddamnitallanyway! Might as well add to free speech instead of stifling it like the politically correct crap-ass groups wanna do! LOL! Have at it Babe!

Hey Marina,
You’re the hottest teacher on the planet. Where did the word “nookie” come from? Did I say that you were HOT? Keep it up. :lol:

You know your history, Marina. The puritanical prohibition of certain words is a gross misinterpretation of what the Bible meant by “curse words” anyway.

Hence, ironically and moronically, people voice “Oh my God!” and “Jesus Christ!” all the time without hesitation or censorship – but that’s actually exactly what the Bible meant. “Curse words” as in literally cursing – casting a verbal blame – on God or others (as, so the Biblical passage has it, because God created everyone and everything, then you should equally not curse other people or things what God created, as God will take that as an indirect personal insult).

Indeed, Jesus specifically prohibits even saying “thou fool” – yeah, just calling someone foolish or stupid – because that’s insulting, cursing and potentially hateful. And, of course, you should be “loving thy neighbour” and what-not instead.

In no regard was the prohibition on words describing genitals or sexual acts or things like that. That’s just not in there.

Indeed, the “no sex please” attitude of Christianity showed up long after Jesus. Genesis quite clearly and unambiguously states “go forth and multiply”; – God actually instructs – nay, goads – humankind to go out there and get freaky.

And as marriage was actually historically a legal institution, long before it was a religious institution – note that while Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer, he did not give us any “marriage rites”. That’s also not in the Bible because, in those times, marriage was “de facto” and a contractual agreement – then, strictly, there’s nothing in there to suggest “no sex before marriage” even.

It can’t be in there – marriage as we know it today, in legal and religious terms, did not exist in Biblical times. With the Romans, if a couple said they were married then they were. That’s it.

“Marriage” to them was the agreement to live together itself (which might or might not be formalised into a contract between families).

Indeed, the real origin of these things is actually highly dubious. An early Christian marriage would start at the bride’s home and then proceed to the groom’s home. The legal contract arranged between the families would be read and signed, then the groom would carry the bride to his bed and have his wicked way.

The real origin of “no sex before marriage” was not remotely religious, it was that the bride was “ransom” to get the groom’s family to sign the contract: “You ain’t getting your hands on the goods until you sign”.

Because marriages were de facto – and very often arranged marriages between families for social advancement or just plain money – then the bride not giving out until the contract’s signed was nothing more than a cynical method to ensure they signed on the dotted line.

Biblical times were not the rose-coloured innocent times that some people seem to imagine they were. I mean, have these people even read the Bible to see what went on?

The interpretation has been distorted throughout the centuries to reach the absurdity that everyone thinks it’s fine to say “OMG!” or go around cursing other people as “you fool!” – and that’s what “curse words” actually meant in the Bible, words used to cast a curse / insult / blame on God or others – but that you can’t say “fuck” or “cunt”.

And even that’s not wholly logical either. It’s just fine to say “pussy” or “beaver”, yet you can’t say its synonym “cunt”, even though, by definition of it being a synonym, it means the same thing. It refers to the exact same female genitalia.

Oh, and the reams upon reams of words for the male member – “cock”, “dick”, etc. – not a single one of them is prohibited. Indeed, as probably befits that rather amusing piece of anatomy, they’re all mostly thought of as comical and humourous.

Anyone else smelling the foul stench of misogyny here?

So, should a philologist cave in to a false interpretation, based on serious historical ignorance, of a religious text, leading to hypocritical behaviour that’s ironically utterly contrary to what it actually says?

No fucking way.

Because that way leads to a fascism of ignorance to perpetuate something that isn’t even a correct interpretation in the first place.

You’re a teacher, Marina. You know where your true duty and loyalty lies – to your students and their education.

If some folks have been bred in ignorance to not understand that, then that’s their fault, not yours. Indeed, that’s why the world needs teachers, after all. To eliminate that ignorance and empower people to think for themselves – because that, in the end, is the greatest gift and power you can ever give someone. That is what the word “freedom” really means. :smile:

Thank you for making my morning more interesting.

You dare accuse others of “a lack of intelligence”, when you wield, with all seriousness, such Victorian Era notions of “the lowest element in society”?

Go on, spit it out. This I am interested in hearing. Who exactly are you addressing by “the lowest element”?

Surely you mean murderers, rapists, thieves and the like. I mean, if we’re going to insist on stratifying society into some mythical hierarchy – some Earthly “Dante’s Inferno” – then surely, by anyone’s measure, it’s the murderers and rapists and child abusers who are to be placed at the lowest rung?

So you’re saying that a comedian who swears is playing to an audience of murderers?!?

No, that doesn’t make sense. I must have classified who is “the lowest element” wrongly.

Surely you don’t mean economically?

That you’d rank the poor as lower than even murderers and criminals? Or try to correlate a person’s intelligence to the size of their bank account?

If a rich man invests unwisely – a spot of bad luck on the financial markets – and goes bankrupt, then are you suggesting that the forces of nature somehow conspire to give him some kind of “intelligence lobotomy”, so that in his new position as poor, he’s rendered an idiot, where he wasn’t remotely stupid before?

Is that how you think it works?

And that if someone is born to poverty, then it’s in their blood – their red blood – to stay there, as they are genetically predeposed to be criminal, murderous idiots?

By what forces exactly is a person’s brain physically linked to an abstract electronic number sitting on the bank’s computer?

Please explain this mechanism. Because it warrants more study, as most scientists would be of the opinion that it doesn’t even exist.

But, as you claim superiority over “the lowest element of society”, then perhaps you’re aware of which elementary force of physics carries this “stupidity wave” from the bank’s computers to the brains of the poor.

It’d make an interesting experiment to prompt Bill Gates to read out a list of swear words and measure this phenomenon, as his wealth magically depletes before our eyes.

Or to perform an MRI scan on Stephen Hawking as he types swear words into that device which supplies his voice and watching his brain cells vanish at a rate of knots, as he becomes stupid.

Or does it not count, because the machine he uses does the talking for him? And – amusingly – those who are dumb, in the sense of mute, are incapable of being dumb, in the sense of stupid, nor ever poor, because they can’t swear?

I’m sorry. I appear to be mocking you. And how dare someone so lacking in intelligence and inability to express himself as myself, forget my position in the mythical social hierarchy, below someone so “civilised” and “intelligent” as yourself.

Well, fuck you. About time someone brought reality, logic and common sense to your door. You’re no better, no more “special” nor “superior” than anyone else.

You got lucky. No more nor less than that. You got lucky not to be born the wrong skin colour and consigned to the jail cell of a ghetto, by a society run without illogical prejudiced attitudes as the ones you display.

You got lucky not to be born on the wrong side of town, where the schools are bad and the employment barely pays the rent that all your time is consumed by basic survival that you have no spare time in which to “better yourself”, even if your soul to want to try had not been systematically destroyed by bullying prejudices as you’ve just shown and the futility of slaving oneself to physical and spiritual exhaustion, to do nothing more than tread water and never progress.

You got lucky. No more nor less than that.

Because as you’ve demonstrated by uttering such illogical nonsense, if society really were stratified on the basis of intelligence then your backward Victorian Era beliefs of “Social Darwinism” would land you near the bottom of the pile.

You’re an idiot.

But, luckily for you, that’s a curable condition and those with genuine intelligence will not remotely hold it against you.

Learn something of history and science, then discover the extent of the lie in which you’re living. It will utterly astound you.

Everything you know is wrong.

I endeavour to do my best for you. :grin:

Concisely, if swearing was good enough for Chaucer and Shakespeare, then none of us is remotely qualified to think ourselves better. :wink:

KlaxonCow’s reply:
Generally those that resort to profanity have not the education to speak more appropriately. Thus, incapable of intelligent discourse.

Hardly Victorian, cursing and gang mentality are personal choice not something of breeding. These are the people who find humor in racist jokes, toilet humor, and prank calls. They have chosen low humor over higher forms and refuse to grow out of the child like behavior.

On the contrary there are some highly educated people among the murderers and thieves. As in all things in society there is a cross section of people of all races, creeds and income levels. Just as being too educated is despised by minorities as being “too white.”

As well as they should be, along with those that beat women.

On the contrary, you have fallen into the common fallacy of reading into short messages things that where not there in the first place. Something very common on the Internet.

KlaxonCow’s reply:
,strong>You dare accuse others of “a lack of intelligence”, Generally those that resort to profanity have not the education to speak more appropriately. Thus, incapable of intelligent discourse.
when you wield, with all seriousness, such Victorian Era notions of “the lowest element in society”? Hardly Victorian, cursing and gang mentality are personal choice not something of breeding. These are the people who find humor in racist jokes, toilet humor, and prank calls. They have chosen low humor over higher forms and refuse to grow out of the child like behavior.
Surely you mean murderers, rapists, thieves and the like. On the contrary there are some highly educated people among the murderers and thieves. As in all things in society there is a cross section of people of all races, creeds and income levels. Just as being too educated is despised by minorities as being “too white.”
I mean, if we’re going to insist on stratifying society into some mythical hierarchy – some Earthly “Dante’s Inferno” – then surely, by anyone’s measure, it’s the murderers and rapists and child abusers who are to be placed at the lowest rung? As well as they should be, along with those that beat women.
So you’re saying that a comedian who swears is playing to an audience of murderers?!? No, that doesn’t make sense. I must have classified who is “the lowest element” wrongly. Surely you don’t mean economically? Not in the least, I have known poor people with more dignity and honor than many who have come from wealth. then are you suggesting that the forces of nature somehow conspire to give him some kind of “intelligence lobotomy”,
As explained above not in the least. It is personal choice that makes us decide if we choose the low road or the high road in life.
I’m sorry. I appear to be mocking you. On the contrary, you have fallen into the common fallacy of reading into short messages things that where not there in the first place. Something very common on the Internet.

After reading this article, I was thinking about the origin of the word “slang”. I was thinking whether, for example that the ‘S’ part in slang could mean ‘Short’ or ‘Slack’ and the ‘Lang’ part in “slang” could mean ‘Language’.

Chances are that my theory is only just that, a theory. :)

@KlaxenCow, true that

I’d like to know if this word really came about because it was required to post this on your front door before you can engage in making children. The sign that was to be posted on the front door read,(The word is the first capital letter of each word.) Fornication Under Consent of the King.

Hello Marina,

In answer to your poll; I think that it would depend on the kind of people you would like to teach, if teaching is teaching rude words, then we as so called educated people should be worried.

Ask yourself this question: How would you like some one to speak with you?

Personally, I would rather not know where slang words originated from, as it doesn’t enhance my vocabulary in any meaningful fashion.

Jcnick.

For a lot, if not most, slang words contribute to a big part of the commoners language. In every language, and dialects of those languages, slang is used. If i am correct a lot of the western language we have today was derived from slang terms. Thats how you get so many different versions, or dialects, of every language. So, to exclude any kind of slang, even curse words, would be like excluding culture from the history of words. In one opinion if it even counts, keep saying and explaining slang because you never know it could be a part of tomorrows language. You can’t hate on the development of the human complexity. Remember all words start somewhere.

In regards to jcnick’s comment.

Being educated is not being proper. Some of the greatest minds spoke of what they knew. It’s not how you speak that makes you educated, it’s how you understand what you know and your ability to present that to others. For example, if you were to speak to someone less sophisticated, you can’t say a whole bunch of things they don’t understand. You have to use words that they can understand and relate to, such as proverbs. Don’t put yourself above anyone because you think you know how to talk better than they do. Remember that the majority of the world is uneducated and only speak in terms that they understand.

Hello lil michael,

Thank you for your comment, however as I would agree that who am I to say that I am above some one else in terms of being educated, it would be uncouth to say but the least. When I was referring to being educated I was referring to what your circumstances predicted not who was better than whom. I was not taught by my parents expletives and indeed have no meaningful use for them and don’t see how they can be justified in any way with regard to less sophisticated people, we all get educated to survive and I’m sure that the survival skills we get taught regardless if we have riches or not don’t need or indeed have never included expletives in which to teach you.

People only use expletives to curse or try to suggest some form of sexual suggestion or use it in some other miss informed way, expletives are not essential to day to day living and do not educate anyone in any meaningful way with regard to life, how to survive in life or in any other way with regard to life; in any language.

Therefore given that in the context that I put it in the first instance, it does not educate me or indeed anyone, in regard to any meaningful way, just as all the great minds of the past sought not to use such expletives because they are not needed in life skills and form no educational quality.

Jcnick.

slang is more then the seven words you can’t say on TV. Vulgarity is what I think we are talking about..? And yes, I think if your vocabulary is small it helps to fill in the blanks. But You , Teacher are not lacking vocabulary Watching You cuss is a little cute.

Has a war ever started because of a slang word?

Let m put it this way, fuck no! :grin: As long as you don’t do it too much, it’ll be alright.

If their etymologies are interesting, super. If not, why bother. Also, it not good to get any videos deleted from YouTube, so prudence is my advice in the end–ma chère maîtresse.

Marina,

Maybe we should try to make a complete list of the most controversial words to be on the safe-side. I was surprised that you jumped with both feet into this subject before.

Americans are clean mouthed compared to Europeans I find; they swear much less, even in NYC. This is of course why hip-hop comes in for such scrutiny here. Whenever I go to either France, Italy, Spain, or England, it takes adjustment coming from the US. Everyone, but everyone swears all the time, just like they drink and smoke continually–big difference there too. Everyone swears, everyone drinks, and everyone smokes. Here no one drinks (much) and no smokes (generalization of course, but true on the whole)–Maybe in college. The Russian community in the US is probably different; I would imagine that it is. Russia itself must be like Europe, with a far richer and more diverse vocabulary of swear and derogatory words than here.

Code example: What to do in case of an F Bomb

With as much porn crap that’s on YouTube, it’s cool that you keep it classy (but sexy). What sucks is that I see some people with links to porn sites are chiming in on your comments section because they get great exposure from your web site. I have a big problem with that. Keep it tastie (or tasteful). :idea: BTW, is tastie a real word? Hmmm.

Sooo many comments — I wonder if you’ll even see mine!
Well, about 1,000 votes are in. 2/3 of the people are saying “Do it!” and the other 1/3 are saying “Don’t!!!”
I’m busy trying to watch all of your videos, and they’ve seemed pretty clean so far. I am not offended by cleanliness, and I’m sure the other 1,000 voters are not offended by it, either. But if you do cuss, you’re going to alienate 1/3 of the voters/viewers.
Why risk ‘putting people off’ ?? You have a good thing going, and the last thing you need is to lose viewers. I can pretty much guarantee you that none of the “Do it!” voters are going to leave because you leave swear words out. But I’m sure you are going to offend/alienate a portion of the “Don’t do it!” voters!
Keep in mind that a lot of your viewers are guys who think you are hot. They like hearing girls talk dirty. Why cater to the votes of pigs?

Just my 2 cents worth.
Hey — where does that term come from, anyways?
WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If your mind is thinking about the “2 cents worth” phrase and not about what I just wrote, then you need to go back and read my posting again! FOCUS!!! ;-)

baseball1894: Worst. Idea. Ever. :shock:

Seriously.

1. “putting people off” will go both ways. I dislike censorship in every respect. Censorship is the cancer of self-expression. I, for one, would in fact stop watching if she started to censor her videos. I do not support censorship. I’m not suggesting that you should run through the streets screaming profanity at everyone you pass by…but when vulgar language is required – such as in an etymology lesson on the origin of the expletive – then it should be used. Censorship is both dishonest and immature.

2. Also, “Why cater to the votes of pigs?” – “pigs”, described by you as, “guys who think [she is] hot”. If you haven’t noticed – the entire HotForWords concept revolves around her being hot to attract the attention of guys, but then having some actual knowledge to share with them once they’re there. If she’s not catering to the “pigs”, then she might as well ditch the sexy getup and perhaps opt for a podcast only format.

3. People who are still offended by “bad words”: grow up. Get out of the Dark Ages. :wink:

I have noticed a sad trend at the HotForWords blog.
Commentors are choosing to leave, myself among them.

The site is infested with hateful individuals who are not
sexy or intelligent. I’m bored, I’m leavin’ – sorry baby.
The hate speak coming through the screen from your site,
not you, is what bores me. I could choose not to be bored,
then you end up with “time warp” and other problems you
don’t need. …then I’M not intelligent or sexy, and that is
not good – sorry, I have to take a pass. You are going
to see a lot of fighting without my adding to it, as it is.
There is no cure for that kind of ignorance <- word request

I did have quite a lot of fun these last six monthes, leaving
comments for your interested viewers, and I enjoyed most
of their responses. Yours, to, Marina. Your bluetooth/fat ass
joke was the funniest thing I have read in a LONG time!

Food for thought.

There is no option to selectively omit seeing the comments
based upon entering a screen name, or keyword.
To be clear, here are some examples:

shit, fuck, pussy, cunt, cocksucker, etc are words I ought to be
able to add to a list such that when they are used in comments,
I am not obliged pay any notice, nor respond. Simply block
the comment. Maybe even display a message “comment not shown”

The same goes for individual screen names. I am sure some
folks are cheering this suggestion, with the idea of adding my
name to their exceptions list ( I know, it goes both ways ).

I haven’t cancelled my subscription, nor will I.
I will still watch your lessons and do my
homework – but that’s about it.

I have shed coComments, as I have no real
use for it – especially since Hot For Words
has no interest in giving any lessons, beyond
the sales pitch?! What’s with that? :roll:
feel ya later!

Commedian Steven Wright once quipped that if it’s a penny for your thoughts and you put your 2 cents in, someone’s making money in the deal :)

No, the acronym explaination is an urban legend. Fuck likely came to us through one of the germanic languages, and has been recorded in english literature as early as the 1500′s.
Here’s an article which also gives other references, and other false explainations. It has aparently always been considered to be a vulgar word.

You’ve gotten trillion of students keeping it classy…maybe the others
should go to hot for cuss words…before marina i wanted to drive off a bridge…now i want to know the definition of bridge

Slang words have been used for so long in this country, Marina, as a substitute for real talent and substance. It’s only “shock value”.
If you do this, before long, you’ll develop a vaporous fan base who will say, “Hey, let’s click on over to “hotforwords” and listen to Marina curse and talk dirty!”
This will only cheapen your “product”, Marina, don’t do it.
To me, this kind of behavior implies a lack of confidence that the “product” can stand on it’s own, with no “shock marketing techniques” whatsoever.
Don’t do it, Marina…
you will regret this.
You’ll be throwing away a grand opportunity to really shine in this dirty, little puddle we all splash around in, called the “internet”.

Polari Sang looks interesing!

Doug, I agree with some of the things you pointed out. Some of them can be cured some can not. If the ads are annoying you like they do me then I have a solution that works great for me, and I think it will work for you also. The ignorance can’t be cured but can be filtered out. I can email Marina with some possible solutions that she can apply.

I don’t want to see you go. I will mis reading your comments. I don’t respond to everyone of them but I do read them all. You and I have had some really close/personal conversation here. Your a good friend Doug.

Lets talk. Please email me at this address. I’ll reply back with my regular email addy.

Jack

__(\___

Hey Chacha,
Shame to lose you . I understand your point of view. I am know Brain Of Britain at the best of times but HFW’s is fantastic way to interact with like minded people and to have some ‘interesting fun’ – there will always be a few who are unable to articulate or stimulate but cant you just ignore them? Maybe they can learn from you which is a good thing!) Get on with being you, add your comments and suggestions. Be proud of being in the Elite highbrow class :)

besides, I need to learn sooooo much more and your voice counts. sorry my limited knowledge frustrates you but come on, you know you enjoy HFWs regardless of the ‘not so inspiring’ words!’

Best wishes to you what ever you decide, hope to see you back in class.

Be well

She produce clips on tit, horny, and write phrases that are suggestive on YouTube to create interest. What she does is not what you suggest–she does not avoid sexuality in order to be high-minded. This opposition is an idea from the epoque of Victoria. Be realist: how HotForWords become successful, by acting as a prude? By being Snow White? Where did you find this idea? It is bizarre that the US attitude to sexuality is still so hypocrite, so repressed. There is only giggles, prostitutes and porn on one side, or “high mindedness” on the other side. Either good or bad. Sexuality is essential component of humanity; why the problem with that? What Marina bring these two things together that the repressed mind wishes to keep divided. This is normal. Please stop with the illusion that she is Mary Poppins. Frankly, it’s ridiculous.

Sweetie…what you call “high-mindedness” is what those of my generation call “class”, a personal virtue which seems to teeter closer to extinction with every new generation. I still have hope that one day, people will have become so tired of the overt sexuality of our society that it will be cool to be rebelliously “prudish”. It seems more than a coincidence, that during the heyday of America, when there was far less crime, divorce, and such, sexual matters were left where they belong…in the bedroom. But I must confess, I do wonder whether our sex-saturated society is only a symptom, or a cause.
Marina produces ciips on sexual matters because she is forced to, by an audience comprised of too many who are only obsessed with sexual matters, not in intelligent pursuits, such as studying the origin of words. This is to be expected, as Marina does use sex from the first to lure those who would otherwise be uninterested into the study of philology and linguistics. Such is the cost of swimming in the “mainstream”.
When viewed as a whole, yes, it is true, America seems to be quite hypocritical. However, there are far too many people living here to label each and every one of us as hypocrites. Have you given each and every one of us a questionnaire to determine whether we are all hypocrites? Seems like a lot of work, right?
I get the impression you are female. If you will think about it, you may realize that in a “prudish” society, a woman will tend to be considered more as a person with feelings, rather than only a vessel within which a man empties his sperm. She will be treated like a human being, not as merely an object. Doesn’t that sound nice to you?
Sex is power, and women control sex…who gets it, and when, if ever. It is difficult to let go of this power, as it does instill a false sense of confidence and control. However, letting go of this power is the very thing that must happen if the women of any society are treated as human beings, not only as objects of self-pleasure.
I have seen the quality of Marina’s clips diminish here lately. Now it seems no coincidence that now she is asking whether she should spice things up a bit with slang words. She should feel more confident in the quality of her image and product, but she should pay more attention to the quality of her videos. I believe in her. Her videos can stand on their own, continuing to enjoy a high viewership. She should not succumb to “shock value” in maintaining her popularity.

Philip, I think you’re on to something here….”Hot for Cuss Words”. Will somebody please pick this one up, and run with it?

One more thing, my newfound friend. Though sexuality is an essential component of humanity, I doubt it was meant to be a PRIMARY component of humanity. Were it a primary component, I think we would be talking about animals here, not people.

Oh, yet another thing. What you call “the illusion of Mary Poppins” might also be called, “putting your best foot forward”…vital when your antics are being viewed by millions, AND RECORDED somewhere for who knows how long?
The curse of becoming more wise as one grows older is that less and less people are willing to consider your wisdom.

I know I have ask you before, but would you reconsider coming back to HFWs. There is no more fighting on here. We have a hall monitor now. It is Captain Jack. Marina appointed him herself. RRR has cooled his heels, Cha Cha has left and the wind has been taken out of everyones sails that found fault with what ever someone said. Thanks for listening.
Mike

I don’t mind slang words, but words that defame a person I don’t think is right. I don’t like the c word as it pertains to a woman. I know slang words are in the eye of the beholder, but I think if to much is used the YT channel will become a haven for even more degenerates. I don’t want them filtering over to this site. I think it would cause more flame wars and a lot more people leaving. This is just my opinion only as we were asked for our individual opinions. I know this survey is probably over, but I just had to vent somewhere. I think this was as good a spot as any. :neutral:

If you can still get comments from us then please come back. The flame wars are gone, RRR has even calmed down a whole lot. Captain Jack is now our hall monitor appointed by Marina herself. He has computer control too over the site if anything gets out of hand. We miss you Cha Cha and your witty comments.
Mike

Hey where have you guys been? We miss your witty humor. We miss the little rug rat too. The site has calmed down a lot. There are not more fights or flame wars. We even have a hall monitor that was appointed by Marina. Captain Jack has computer control over the site too if anyone gets out of hand. We miss you guys or gals so please reconsider.
Mike

No No RRR I wouldn’t do anything to you like that. I was just trying to get some of the people that left to see if they would come back. I just meant you and me and all the others had calmed down. I meant you no harm RRR. If you are kidding again then I am slow at getting it sometimes. :smile:

are you referring to my post to chacha in mums the word vid?

just teasing chacha ??

“Slang” words or “Swear” words have been around for a long time. So, if that is your natural way of speaking, I do not mind you using those words. In fact, I think it would make an awesome subject for one of your lessons. The origins of words like “fuck” or “shit” would be very interesting, I think.

I have heard two stories for the word “fuck”. One, is that it was a word created by none other than William Shakesphere. The other, and more popular story is that “fuck” is an abbreviation for “for unlawful carnal knowledge”. Then again, I have heard that neither of those stories are true.

Is this working?

I think you mean “censure”, not “censor”, Marina.

There’s a big difference between defining or reporting the source for these words and using them to describe another.

You frubly hickenlooper!

I have to agree. If you don’t want to hear something or see something just stay away from it. Warnings are the way to go.

Lets talk V chip. All that is doing is taking the responsibility of monitering what is watched from the parents to the T.V. networks. I think it should be up to the parents to decide what their kids should and can watch. My TV has a V chip and I don’t use it. My son is ten and is smart enough to ask if certain shows are okay for him to watch. Most of the time the answer is yes.

Dear Marina,

This is my first time on your ever so sexy site!
I have a word I would like to know the origin of, maybe it is too much slang for your site, I would understand, but I try anyway. The word is: Dildo.
I wish you a lot of succes, I am amased your not allready higher in the ranking, considering the other women…. :-))

Warm regards,

Joep

“slang words” or “swear words” or “curse words” whatever you choose to call them are still words. If your profession is words, then you should have all words as options. Completely banning some words would be like a painter completely banning a color!

My dear Marina, I know if you chose to use those words in your videos, you will do it in a professional way…. So noone will click on your vids just to hear you talk dirty, as someone said in a comment I just read.

And regardless of weather you use them or not, you will still have all of your loyal students. And your students will constantly keep increasing because you are such an amazing teacher!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Thank god your not here anymore :grin: you miserable old bastard

Marina, I don’t mind being your experiment for naughty words.. I don’t mind if people see me discussing words like cum and dickhead. at least then when people ask for those words they can be replied to

I don’t think there was a day where I didn’t use slang.

Whatever you do, do not bleep or talk around words. It would be lowbrow and childish to do so.

I already know the proper pronunciation and usage of “Fuck,” and any other George Carlin words. Why are you limiting your exposure? Instead of being the word chick you’ll become the swearing chick who used to do weird derivations.

Seriously, going blue can cost you. If you must, bleep it out so you can pretend to have sensibilities. (Like wearing a short skirt for the Late Show but constantly tugging on the hem like you are embarrassed by it. [Yes, if she was truly embarrassed she would not wear the short skirt, but she wants to have her cake and eat it to.])

In this instance you can have your cake and eat it too. The lowest number of voters are right.

I think she knows what she is talking about. Geeezzzz :shock: :wink:

hmmm, interesting question. I really don’t think it’s childish to censor your own material. at least in texting if I find myself changing fuck to f*^% then I feel I have the presiding call on basically poking fun at censors and censorship by being my own censor boss and allowing myself to have the go at it first. In other forums it could be called “masking” skirting around slang terminology to get away with squeeking past the censor.

If you put out two versions of the same video, a video you felt may be a no-no with censors, do one slang and one bleeped, that would be funny and could raise some interesting discussion on the issue of censorship. :?: :idea: :!:

sincerely yours,
GreatestPotential

Marina,

This site is your ship. And the ship travels where the Captain directs, not where the crew and the passengers direct. Where do you wish to take your ship? Curse words can be fun and interesting to explore, but you run the risk of being stuck examining, and having others request, increasingly more vulgar words as time goes on. In the future, some may come to think your site has lost credibility, and some may be bored as the novelty of the topic of curse words wears thin. In my opinion, there are plenty of words, and your list is proof of this, that are not vulgar and yet still interesting and entertaining to learn about. However, an infrequent trip into such words, especially if planned and announced well ahead of time, could serve to draw a great crowd apart from your loyal ban of merry bloggers. To do so, you may have to set down some ground rules, like refraining (as you do) from hate speech, and it may turn out to be a great deal of fun. I would suggest not allowing anyone to make requests for these words, but you should set that stage and control it from the start. This all largely centers upon the risks you are willing to take. Remember, your site is wonderful as it is, and you can always change your mind about this topic in the future. But once you start down the path you’re going to bear some consequences and a share in the responsibility for those consequences.

have you checked out her maxim radio shows?

No, I haven’t. My understanding is (and correct me if I’m wrong) that the show is on Sirius, a pay satellite service that I do not subscribe to. If this is where Marina explores slang/curse words, satellite radio is a good medium for it… affording freedom of expression. I think Howard Stern and other “adult” shows are on the Sirius network.

here.

F***in’ Sweet :mrgreen: Thanks for the link, Alex. I had glossed over this page before, thinking it was merely a diary of shows performed and an advertisement for upcoming shows. I never saw the recorded podcast. I have much research to perform now. :wink:

Marina,

Use Slang words just don’t use Dirty or Trash words.

It’s like, speak of Vulgar as you taught us in the Cell Phone lesson, but don’t go into the Vulgar, you feel me?

TOF

…even though taboo words are indeed words, something to talk about, maybe?

Well it’s like the Mob uses Mob to describe the Mob. And we know better so we use Mobile Vulgus. I guess that learning the true meaning of taboo words, would raise your IQ away from the Mobile Vulgi, right?

TOF

TOF, got me thinking :smile:
Education of taboo words despite apparent lack of refinement are apt in every day dialect depending on the situation. Better to have an understanding of both, wouldn’t you say, thus avoiding ignorance all round. Slang words are here to stay, alas seemidly more prevalent in younger generations or in adult movies for example :lol: However, it is upto ones own to use or find more educated alternatives best to articulate. For those who avoid to learn a greater understanding of the language will as you say narrow their own level of intelligence.
I concider it to be catch 22. With out correct grammer or pronounciations, people will follow trends or become colloquially dependant, which would make no sense, all talking utter twaddle. Equally, should all people speak correctly all of the time, the everyday language would become less creative or entertaining, more stifled, as slang words are a spin off form of the true word or meaning.
Words are amazing, good or bad, right or wrong, I say let them be and let there be more! :smile:

Word Metal

well , you can make a video about how the slang words become vulgar to the people . It’s interesting to know that why “shit” is considered as bad , and by the way , where does it come from anyway ?

Oh Boy :idea: It should not mater. Expressions must be express. Verbal abuse becomes police science and “law word masters” boss the masses. My project lets me think to my self and slang is a really good rhyme to be in my gang-you sang to the bang that rang to the slang gang she sang that brang the tang and took away the pang-she sang-wangle your slang because it is lang-u-age. ohgod forgive for me for ramblingmisspublang oh dang know fang it hangs from threads of bhang[hindi] and what is difference of Sanskrit? luv

You do as you wish. You are at the controls. Even Slang words have an origin !!

a href=”http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2008/nov/05/what-election-f-word-takes-center-stage-supreme-co/”>What election? Seems the Supreme court has been trying to handle the “F” bomb… son of a bi#*!

Link I Missed, Darn it…

Very good analogy. Profanity is the rectum of language. I like that. I appreciate a well turned phrase. Here’s my take:

Profanity is the poetry of the powerless. I find myself cursing when I am completely beaten by something. If I give up, that’s when I start cursing. For me, it’s a sign of defeat, the lexicon of the loser. A symptom of linguistic impotence. Those who are resourceful find better ways to express themselves. Being a linguist doesn’t give you an excuse for ignoring social standards of decency.

Having said that, let me add that no word was born dirty. Everything has an origin and often the origin has a purity that was lost over time. Let’s see if we can have respect for the words. Marina is helpful with that in her lessons. The main thing is to learn something you didn’t already know. On that score, she is batting a thousand.

Thanks to everyone for participating in this discussion.

Let the debate rage.

You’re not doing linguistic research here, Buzzword. You’re having a discussion. Let’s keep it civil. Troll control is a matter of personal hygiene. Please clean up your mouth.

Tame your own inner Troll and the other Trolls will follow your example. Sorry I interrupted.

that is your approach to language, you only use language when you are powerless. don’t be so ethnocentric that you assume that everyone else follows the same norms that you do. this theory you provided “no word was born dirty. everything has an origin and often the origin has a purity that was lost over time” has nothing to do with linguistics or any of the rules that govern the development of languages. it is a product of your cultural beliefs. i have my social standards of decency, you have yours. your standard does not have authority over mine.

you as everyone here has at one time or another are attempting to influence the community to reflect your norms and expectations. however this is a global pluralistic community where a diversity of behaviors is tolerated. i as many others have been here for sometime, and have developed a degree of tolerance for each other. each individual brings a distinct voice to the dialogue.

if there is one authority here it is marina. over the past year and a half she has never made note of my individual behavior. the authority below this is the authority of the community itself. and you may consider that my good standing with majority of the participants here at hfw accounts for something. each social setting has its own distinct rules of behavior as you continue to participate you will come to understand them better.

if you continue to read my posts your are going to have to accept that i use expletives, sometimes a significant amount of them. if my language bothers you, you can stop reading my posts. i recommend this only so that you can continue to participate at hfw and enjoy the site. but to tell me to stop using expletives is as silly as me asking you to start using them. we both have different ways of speaking and neither one of them has authority over the other.

Of course I’ll continue to read your comments. I find a lot of value in the substance and humor of what you say. And I’ll comment openly about them, but I’ll dial down the recommendations I make to you. If my language gave you the impression that I think this is an authority issue, then please accept my appology.

After thinking about it some, realize now that I was overlooking one important fact. This is, after all, the forum on slang terms. There is no better place run your mouth. You were speaking appropriately and I was out of line. If any forum has a valid claim to include all forms of language, this one certainly does.

I’ll think twice in the future about your sensitivities before I make any recommendations to you and I ask the same courtesy in return. You asking me to put on blinders is just as absurd as me asking you to curb your tongue. The only difference is in the body part being restricted. Not read your comments? Unthinkable.

Finally, I want to thank you for putting this entry in the Favorite Lesson forum, as I would have missed this whole discussion otherwise. It’s one of the best I’ve ever read.

no need to apologize. really, we are both in a process of understanding each others rules of engagement. i’m looking forward to your offerings here at hfw. i’ll search for some posts that may interest you and provide you with links. some of them may reflect relatively significant (my opinion) exchanges that have occurred just to get you better acquainted with everyone.

@ Buzzword

Thanks Buzzword. You’re a valuable resource in my effort to get up to speed here. I’m glad we got past that sticky point. I’ll look forward to seeing more of the nuggets from the comment stream. This is a good place to learn how to learn.

@Buzzword

Don’t misunderstand me. Let me explain.

You start out by saying, “that is your approach to language, you only use language when you are powerless. ”

I said I use profanity when I feel powerless. Profanity is a very small subset of my language and there is an important distinction to be made between different kinds of speech. That is implicit in the fact that we are discussing slang terms here, not language in general.

Let me say again, I sometimes curse. When I do it feels like an admission of weakness to me. I always feel I could have done better if I had tried harder. I’m not saying you or anyone else should feel that way or try not to swear as an exercise in becoming more articulate, but that’s what I do.

To generalize my comment about this one specific fault that I admit to having and expand it to describe all of my behavior and further use it to label me ethnocentric does all of us a disservice. It gets the discussion off topic and turns it into a personal exchange.

That’s all I have to say.