# You know what I hate? How the word empowerment lost its original use and context **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 28, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678 "2018-01-28T21:44:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/261 "2018-02-01T05:07:40Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > We are not “some people.” Off Topic I’m building a new homebrew world for Pathfinder (D&D 3.75) and the Gnomes have a smaller population than any other race and segregate in their own areas, including Gnometown in the city of Trademeet. They don’t have their own nation as such. Some Gnomes (aka the Gnome Mafia) The closest they have to a protective organization. Some Gnomes might hire adventurers or take care of the problem themselves. Whether this is an actual organization or just a bunch of local Gnomes who happen to join up to deal with an issue is left as a GM exercise. In my game, it is a cultural/societal thing where those with power take the responsibility for taking care of others, as they have no government of any type. A non-Gnome asking a Gnome to direct or introduce them to “Some Gnomes” will most certainly be mirthfully directed to some neighbor they don’t like. As in “Gosh, _Some Gnomes_ might take an interest in that.” ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/262 "2018-02-01T05:07:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Nope, not at all. > > Males harassing or assaulting females = bad > > Women understanding what they want and that they’re allowed to have it = good > > There’s a big difference between checking women out and making cat calls, inviting them to suck your dick, flashing them or the like. > > Any woman who says she wants to castrate men who merely look at her is mentally ill and should not be misinterpreted as being a larger sample. I understand the thing with cat calling, but Idk, men are also more likely to be cheered on. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/263 "2018-02-01T05:19:21Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > I understand the thing with cat calling, but Idk, men are also more likely to be cheered on. Because back in the day such things were more socially acceptable and women didn’t really have an forum to complain about it or get society to change. Now we’re in the process of making those changes. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/264 "2018-02-01T11:27:47Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Next question: Why is college rape such a big deal even though is not that bad? Oof, maybe wanna rephrase that? ---
**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:** [February 1, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/265 "2018-02-01T11:43:59Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Male sexuality= Bad, evil _Equating_ male sexuality with sexual harassment = Dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/266 "2018-02-01T11:58:51Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > _Equating_ male sexuality with sexual harassment = Dumb. One might say seriously misandrist. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/267 "2018-02-01T12:28:19Z")
[Women Now Empowered By Everything A Woman Does](https://www.theonion.com/women-now-empowered-by-everything-a-woman-does-1819566746) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/268 "2018-02-01T12:54:45Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > {…} Next question: Why is college rape such a big deal even though is not that bad? Yeeeaaaaa, it’s rape month!!! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/269 "2018-02-01T14:29:39Z")
If only there was a way to disable that autocorrect Anyways, let’s talk about an introvert for a second shall we? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/270 "2018-02-01T15:15:18Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Anyways, let’s talk about an introvert for a second shall we? Sure. Introverts are empowered not to go to that social party and can instead stay home and play with their cats. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/271 "2018-02-01T16:22:20Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > If only there was a way to disable that autocorrect > Anyways, let’s talk about an introvert for a second shall we? Which introvert do you wish to talk about? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/272 "2018-02-01T17:02:06Z")
The one who thinks college rape isn’t all that bad. Lucy, so if you’re in the dorm pool room and some big athlete comes in, bends you over the table and anally rapes you, that isn’t that bad? :dubious: Given your other threads, would it help you if he was black? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/273 "2018-02-01T19:10:23Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Some Gnomes… I love this. So, so much. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/274 "2018-02-01T19:40:51Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Sure. Introverts are empowered not to go to that social party and can instead stay home and play with their cats. You misspelled World of Warcraft. (That’s THIS introvert’s preferred-to-a-party activity, anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/275 "2018-02-01T22:39:45Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > The one who thinks college rape isn’t all that bad. > > Lucy, so if you’re in the dorm pool room and some big athlete comes in, bends you over the table and anally rapes you, that isn’t that bad? :dubious: > > Given your other threads, would it help you if he was black? I got a question, do I have priviledge? Being raised by a single mother and not haven’t had a friend technically in almost 11 year’s? Me being still socially rejected? I know I am making some bold statements and on the other hand I do want to fight my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/276 "2018-02-01T22:41:08Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > I got a question, do I have priviledge? Being raised by a single mother and not haven’t had a friend technically in almost 11 year’s? Me being still socially rejected? > > I know I am making some bold statements and on the other hand I do want to fight my ignorance. Not so bold when you keep trying to change the subject. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/277 "2018-02-01T22:55:04Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > I got a question, do I have priviledge? Being raised by a single mother and not haven’t had a friend technically in almost 11 year’s? Me being still socially rejected? > > I know I am making some bold statements and on the other hand I do want to fight my ignorance. You’re constantly jumping around. Why not stick with one thing to talk about? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/278 "2018-02-01T23:10:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > You misspelled World of Warcraft. (That’s THIS introvert’s preferred-to-a-party activity, anyway.) I tried to pick a generic activity. This introvert prefers to play guitar badly or hop on my bicycle or go for a hike with the wife and dog. That many choices definitely means I’m probably more empowered than others! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/279 "2018-02-02T06:20:38Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > You’re constantly jumping around. Why not stick with one thing to talk about? Not technically. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/280 "2018-02-02T07:23:07Z")
Wha??? That sentence has words, but means nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678.md?page=15)