I do read PvP every day and enjoy it immensely. Yes, Francis (the character saying, “Gaaaay!”) is quite immature and everybody knows it (he’s a teenage computer gamer). Moreso, the author of the strip, Scott Kurtz, is a teriffic guy and not homophobic in any way (I’ve met him personally). Knowing this, I, personally, am not offended by the strip (although I do admit now that you mention it I’d rather he didn’t, but Francis is a jerk anyway, so it does go along with his character). This is why another gay guy can call me “a big queer homo” and I’m not offended - I know the person, and I know what he’s saying. Someone I don’t know using the word - yeah, I’m gonna get offended, because I don’t know them and I don’t know their intent. Can I ask them? Sure. Am I always comfortable asking them? Not usually, no. (Hell, I was at a diversity presentation and I hesitated mentioning “sexual orientation” as an area of employee discrimination in a mixed group of people I didn’t know. Me. The Gay Guy. Imagine.)
I won’t say that duh doesn’t have a point, but unless and until the speaker and the listener are the best of friends that always understand each other’s intent, words can still be weapons. Isn’t it better to try not to offend people rather than flagrantly ignoring their feelings for your own selfish semantical reasons?
I agree that that is the polite term, or “jerry-rig”,. to use a varaint I have seen in print. But you obviously didn’t grow up, as I did, in a small town in rural Kentucky. I can assure you that the term I referenced is part of the common usage, or was when I was living there.
The usage of those slang terms in PVP and Phlip’s usage are not comparable. PVP is a work of fiction, and the thoughts and actions of the characters can not be construed to be an expression of the author’s opinion or how he conducts himself. Whereas Phlip was expressing his own opinions in his writing. Castigating the author of PVP for the opinions or actions of one of his characters would be nonsensical (unless it could be shown that the author himself holds those opinions and is using his work to express them… but it would be upon you to present that case), but castigating Phlip for his opinions or actions makes perfect sense.
It is undeniable that some segment of the population uses “gay” as a slang term for “bad” (I do myself, although I don’t do so on these boards). Accurately using popular language in works of art doesn’t necessarily mean the artist approves of the language, merely that he is reflecting current usage. I watched Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back the other day; in it Jay uses the word “gay” as a derogatory term quite a few times. That doesn’t mean that the directer (Kevin Smith) is homophobic, or is promoting the use of “gay” to mean “bad”, because it is accurate for the sort of character Jay is to use the term in that way. (And I realize there was a small flap with GLAAD over the use of “gay” in the movie, but in my opinion the organization was wrong.) Similarly, I’ve been trying to read Ulysses again, and there’s a part early in the book where Mr Dreasy rants how “international jew merchants” are destroying England. That doesn’t mean we should boycott Joyce’s works for anti-Semitism. Reflecting how people talk and act (including the unpleasant aspects) can not be taken as approving or advocating those things.
From what I understand, “jury” or “jerry” rigged started out as a nautical term and was a play on the word “jour” - so things that were jury-rigged were made to work “for the day” or, as slang tends to do, “for the moment” or “until we can do something better.”
I’m not sure why anyone uses the term “nigger-rigged.”
I think it’s a gigantic shame and pity that “gay” no longer means “bright and happy,” and “queer” no longer means “somewhat strange or off-kilter.”
Though apparently those words are allowed to stand with their new meanings.
It’s not that the words don’t have multiple meanings…the whole point is that when usage perpetuates a negative image, and hurts people, it shouldn’t be used that way anymore. Using it doesn’t always take its power away. Sometimes it strengthens it.
Thanks for opping me in chat, Hama, but I have to take exception to the above.
If you’re referring to using “gay” and/or “queer” as insults, fair enough. However, the use of “gay” meaning “homosexual” came to be even when the word still had its original meaning, through a poem written by a lesbian. (I can’t provide a cite as I don’t remember her name.) IIRC, it was about two women, and there was a heavy lesbian subtext. The last line went soemthing like, “And they went off, and were very gay together.”
“Queer” used to be an insult only, but many LGBT people “took back” the word as their own. (Though many still shun the “positive” use of the word.)
As far as myself, homoesexual is my sexual orientation, gay is who I am, and queer are my politics. Before anyone decides to pile on me, remember, this is how I view myself. Everyone else is free to have their own opinion and decide for him or herself where they fit and what they believe.
Well, since jury-rigged work is shoddy and not intended to be a permanent fix, I’d assume it comes from the stereotype that black people are lazy and do stuff half-assed.
I think he’s being sarcastic. I took this to mean that if other people can use hurtful words, claiming a different meaning, then he will use the “C” word and claim a different meaning.
My dictionary says “perhaps ultimately from Old French ajurie ‘aid’” But hey, they’re just guessing too. And I first learned it, believe it or not, in a nautical context; i.e. sailing classes.
I’ve heard “jerry-rig”, but assume that that’s just normal semantic drift and not a reference to Germans (as it is in “jerrycan”).
I think everyone else pretty much understood that, too, dear. Scylla’s reply was one of the standard forms of humor, “taking a logical idea to an illogical extreme.” It’s one of my favorites. Well, humor or disparagement. I don’t know which in this case.
No, I don’t, unfortunately. I came across it when I first came out, and my lesbian friend gave me a copy of “Another Mother Tongue.” (Excellent read, BTW.) This was 15 years ago, so my memory is sketchy.
Figured it was a longshot. He’s the one who turned me onto “Into the Woods” (we saw it performed at Morehead State College - where I later went for one year). When you quoted the song and then said you lived in KY, I thought maybe . . .
We used to drive around Lexington, KY with the soundtrack blaring, singing as loud as we could. We would argue over who got to be the witch. The two princes song was fun to sing together, since both of those parts were so cool.
That would have been too spooky. Here is a quote from the “Forbidden Broadway” parody “Into the Words”, which I find appropriate for this thread:
