# Innocently-Derived Words That Sound 'Sinister'? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115 "2021-08-05T18:18:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/21 "2021-08-06T16:50:53Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I think most people by now are familiar with the history, and it is good that swastikas can be displayed on buddist and Hindu temples, and (rightly) without controversy. > > However, it’s also true that the swastika is not merely something that was used by the Nazis in WWII but something used in the modern world every day, by racist groups as a symbol of hate and intimidation. Therefore it is still sinister to many, and it’s a valid answer to the OP. > > Also, while temples are ok for the swastika, most other situations are less clear. Let’s say there’s a tshirt that prominently displays a swastika among other religious iconography. Did the manufacturer include that symbol for the right reasons? Is the person wearing it for the right reasons? > Hard to say, and that’s why people who don’t want to look like a white power wacko play safe and avoid the symbol. Not because they are ignorant of the original history. I am not sure why you quoted me. Are you trying to dispute something I said ? Or adding to the conversation ? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/22 "2021-08-06T17:44:16Z")
Orogeny is the process of mountain formation. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/23 "2021-08-06T17:54:30Z")
Philatelist (stamp collector) ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/24 "2021-08-06T18:53:55Z")
> [@am77494](#): > > I am not sure why you quoted me. Are you trying to dispute something I said ? Or adding to the conversation ? In your post, you started by saying “Now now now - please”. That seems a strangely contrary tone to start with if your only point was that not everyone considers the swastika sinister. So I inferred you were saying more than that. But otherwise I guess we don’t have any disagreement. ---
**Author:** ![QMatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/aeb1de/32.png) [@QMatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QMatic)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/25 "2021-08-06T22:10:43Z")
Bucolic describes a rustic idyll, but to me it sounds more like a chest infection. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/26 "2021-08-07T00:25:53Z")
Does [pediatrician](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/aug/30/childprotection.society) fit the OP’s stipulation, given the stunt of the “mental giants” in this link? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/27 "2021-08-07T01:40:35Z")
Indoctrination. Its original meaning is simply “teaching or instruction”. But its modern definition is "being taught to accept beliefs _uncritically_, which is much worse. It also has the benefit of being the word they use for brainwashing in the _Mass Effect_ series. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/28 "2021-08-07T22:43:25Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Does [pediatrician](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/aug/30/childprotection.society) fit the OP’s stipulation, given the stunt of the “mental giants” in this link? Whoa, the stupidity is everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/29 "2021-08-08T16:12:38Z")
Pray they never find out about pedology or pedogenesis ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/30 "2021-08-08T18:19:19Z")
Perfunctory. I had to look it up, but I was in a hurry and don’t really remember what it means. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/31 "2021-08-08T18:29:12Z")
Mistress was originally the surname of any married woman. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/32 "2021-08-08T21:31:38Z")
@furryman Still is in UK, I believe (cf. the ‘r’ in ‘Mrs.’). ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/33 "2021-08-10T02:37:38Z")
Nah, it’s the same as in the US. The only time you’ll ever hear a woman addressed as Mistress Whatever in the UK is nothing to do with her marital status and everything to do with special services you’re paying her for. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/34 "2021-08-10T23:03:01Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > Mistress was originally the **surname** of any married woman. Please explain. I understood that **Jenkins** was the surname of Mistress Jenkins. **Mistress** was her title. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2021, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/35 "2021-08-11T14:23:22Z")
The left hand also took on negative connotations because the majority of folks, being right handed, wiped themselves after defecation with the left hand. Often water was a scarce/unavailable resource for tidying up after. So touching someone with that hand was considered icky. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/36 "2021-08-12T22:20:57Z")
_“I’ve been thinking about the trunk of my car – such an ugly word, trunk – and wondering why in the world I should be afraid to open it.”_ - Stephen King ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/37 "2021-08-13T17:34:12Z")
I believe the swastika used by Hitler was actually a mirror-image of the ancient Indian icon that symbolizes prosperity/auspiciousness. The image as displayed by the Nazis is not actually used as a cultural symbol in Hindu/Buddhist cultures. I could be wrong, and am willing to be corrected. Now this does not mean Hitler was justified in appropriating it (the name “swastika” with a modified symbol) for his nefarious ends. ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/38 "2021-08-13T17:39:15Z")
‘Origami’ and ‘holeum’ sound ominous to me for no reason at all. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115/39 "2021-08-13T17:43:58Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > could be wrong, and am willing to be corrected. > The swastika symbol, 卐 (right-facing or clockwise) or 卍 (left-facing, counterclockwise, or sauwastika), is an ancient religious icon in the cultures of Eurasia. It is used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.[1][2][3] > In Hinduism, the right-facing symbol (卐) is called swastika, symbolizing surya (“sun”), prosperity and good luck, while the left-facing symbol (卍) is called sauwastika, symbolising night or tantric aspects of Kali.[8] > The right-facing swastika (卐) was adopted by several organisations in pre-World War I Europe, and later by the Nazi Party and Nazi Germany before World War II. It was used by the Nazi Party to symbolise German nationalistic pride. .[Swastika - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocently-derived-words-that-sound-sinister/948115.md?page=1)