What do you think?

I don't know wether this has already been said, but theres one theory that the word **** comes from the name of the goddess and has been corrupted.
a lot of women say that only a women is powerful enough to use the word ****.
the same as with bitch, a lot of women like the power that bitch gives them.
now as an insult I think the two words are entirley different, I use Bitch all the time, but useing a word that desribes a womans sexual organs is degrading towards women no matter what sex uses it.
a lot of women could try and draw on the power of **** however, like a lesbian country band that states 'we put the **** into country'
S

 

well.. if you respect somone or are just joking, then i suppose using these words are ok.. but as ment for insulting, they are hilarious (in a bad way, childish). using them in everyday speach.. omeik, lets try to grow up and know how to respect our language

 

i guess my question is, should verbal abuse land someone in jail?

 

I don't think so. Not unless it is extreme circumstances, and in that case the person would be able to get a restraining order, and violation of that restraining order is what would land someone in jail.

 

Using common insults doesn't nessesarily rise to the level of "abuse."

Useing words to hurt someone can rise to the level of "abuse", regarless of whether they are cuss words.

 

I think in some cases according to law,verbal abuse can be considered assault--where battery would be physical abuse.It probably depends on what is said ,to whom it is said,where ,why,the court that is involved,ect,ect.I remember a guy hollered out his dorm window to a bunch of girls chattering below "hey ,shutup you water buffaloes,I'm trying to sleep".The girls were black and I suppose that is why it made the news.I think he got in some kind of trouble.So,I guess it all depends.

 

Threats are verbally abusive - but people shouldn't always go to jail for them.

 

in the uk according to law the term abuse means verbal, and never physical, and battery is always physical
S

 

Cursing at a cop is verbal assault and you will go to jail.

Peace & Love

 

That's also the way it's supposed to be here in Texas
(or so I'm told)
but they screwed up while writing/revising the Statutes.

Now the only sure way to tell is reading...

 

you could always try a bit of both on someone and see what happens! (joke of course)
S

 

Volunteers? One step forwards.
*one step back when nobody's looking*

 

ok i'll sit on him, which do you want to try first, assault or battery
S

 

hmmmm
How's about the Trick of the Tale version?
http://www.goldlyrics.com/song_lyrics/genesis/trick_of_the_tail/robbery_assault_and_battery/

 

In Canada, you can get arrested for "Uttering Obscenities in Public"

Experience.

 

there are all sorts of gender specific, race specific and whatever-specific insults. i'm no more insulted by those than i am by any others. i've been known to call a man a dick, but he doesn't cry that i'm being sexist. generally, i just think they're rude and childish and try to avoid them.

 

is the word asshole derogatory

 

i heard that is untrue if you preceed your statements in the fashion of with all do respect or in my opinion

 

Calling somebody a dick doesn't exactly have the same connotation that woman/race specific insults do.

Rorty said there we're three ways to dehumanize people:
1. Racially (make them seem different)
2. Demasculinize them (ie: women and gays)
3. Through age (ie: historical belief that women were permanently arrested at a child's mental development.)

Calling someone, even deragatorily, doesn't exactly have the same connotation.

 

that can't be true, I don't think saying something like 'with all due respect your a fucking asshole' would make any difference, at any rate, i'm not going to try it!
S