The term "Mong"
Discussion
irocfan said:
actually I'd disagree here - I'd say it's every excuse. If you continue to use it once you know why it's offensive to people that's a different story
You are of course quite right. Why I hit the send key before I typed "for continuing to use it" is beyond me. Maybe I'm some sort of (insert highly offensive epithet of your choice here). I blame the iPad.wildcat45 said:
So, because there is rarely bad intent behind the term, can I take it that in general Mong is no longer offensive? Just a modern use of an archaic term?
I personally would say that, as I would about a number of other words, yet I think in this happy clappy day and age were all a men walking a child around town are viewed as a likely paedophile unless he is with a female, it is as inadvisable to call someone a mong as it would be to call someone a "N-word" in public.On the other hand if you are in a closed group and it is general normal conversation you might be more comfortable with it.
Rude-boy, aka for most of 1994/5 as "The (take the N-word and substitute the N for a W)" by his predominately black friends.
wildcat45 said:
I grew up in the 1980s where we laughed at and imitated Joey Decon. Where the terms Spastic, Spacca, Mong and a host of other words were socially acceptable.
No comment......By the way, I think the correct PC term is Scopers......
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th July 14:06
Joey Deacon said:
wildcat45 said:
I grew up in the 1980s where we laughed at and imitated Joey Decon. Where the terms Spastic, Spacca, Mong and a host of other words were socially acceptable.
No comment......By the way, I think the correct PC term is Scopers......
Edited by Joey Deacon on Thursday 17th July 14:06
I agree that most younger people would assume that 'Joey' just means 'a bit daft' and comes from Joey from Friends.
Blue Peter did well with that one. They tried to educate children as to the problems of disability, and by mistake made Joey Deacon an object of ridicule.
But OP, this is no different to other words. Imbecile, moon, idiot, spastic etc were all words used by the medical profession and then adopted as insults. When I was a kid 'spaz' was the standard insult, but I rarely hear it now.
I wonder if terms like 'special' will go the same way as people use them with more and more venom.
Blue Peter did well with that one. They tried to educate children as to the problems of disability, and by mistake made Joey Deacon an object of ridicule.
But OP, this is no different to other words. Imbecile, moon, idiot, spastic etc were all words used by the medical profession and then adopted as insults. When I was a kid 'spaz' was the standard insult, but I rarely hear it now.
I wonder if terms like 'special' will go the same way as people use them with more and more venom.
Two mongs don't make a right!
I also called somebody a Joey earlier today. I guess I'm of a certain generation, spazzy yoof didn't get the reference, sigh.
On a vaguely more serious note, it's just language evolution, words come and go and original meanings are lost. It's pretty unlikely mong will ever be seen in a positive light but probably a good thing that it's become a more generalised insult rather than linked with Downs.
Cheers,
Rob
I also called somebody a Joey earlier today. I guess I'm of a certain generation, spazzy yoof didn't get the reference, sigh.
On a vaguely more serious note, it's just language evolution, words come and go and original meanings are lost. It's pretty unlikely mong will ever be seen in a positive light but probably a good thing that it's become a more generalised insult rather than linked with Downs.
Cheers,
Rob
The use of the word 'mong' isn't pleasant but then look at the evolution of language and our attitudes to lack of ability.
Loony, idiot, cretin, moron -all formal (if loose) clinical labels relating to mental health or learning disability.
In a sense, the specific word is fairly meaningless. Our penchant for judging people on the basis of their intelligence or ability is a more interesting discussion.
Loony, idiot, cretin, moron -all formal (if loose) clinical labels relating to mental health or learning disability.
In a sense, the specific word is fairly meaningless. Our penchant for judging people on the basis of their intelligence or ability is a more interesting discussion.
captainzep said:
Our penchant for judging people on the basis of their intelligence or ability is a more interesting discussion.
If you're going down that line you might as well say "our penchant for judging people", which isn't so much of penchant as a practical necessity in any structured society.And therefore not very interesting.
As others have said it' akin to Jew and gay, where the real meaning isn't meant to be offensive but now people use them as a mildly offensive insult with, in their eyes, no intended insult to the people who do represent the real meaning of the terms.
It is complex!
One lad I remember called them mongrels at school, teacher went a little red and sharply corrected him!
It is complex!
One lad I remember called them mongrels at school, teacher went a little red and sharply corrected him!
Yertis said:
captainzep said:
Our penchant for judging people on the basis of their intelligence or ability is a more interesting discussion.
If you're going down that line you might as well say "our penchant for judging people", which isn't so much of penchant as a practical necessity in any structured society.And therefore not very interesting.
-Oh I see. -I've just exercised practical necessity in a structured society.
Boring though.
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