Is "Weird" a Bad Word?

Alex


Photo: Inspiritus [Flickr]

A few days ago, I posted about a group of cross-dressing cosplayers in China, in which I used the word "weird." A few Neatoramanauts took umbrage at my choice of words (both in the title and the post) - and the comment thread explored the issues of rudeness, homophobia, and "exotification" (that's a new one for me).

While I'll leave that up to you whether you see a valid complaint, I'd like to ask you about the use of the word "weird." Is it a bad word to use? I mean - if someone says, "you're weird," would you be offended? Is "Keep Portland Weird" an evil demand?


Comments (54)

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

@ted

Not the big words again! Ahhhh! It burns!

@Fin

I've never been called Guildar before. Interesting. If this whole argument is about forcing compassion onto people, that I disagree with quoting from a book based on the old testament which involved child abuse, incest, rape, and murder. Not only is this an argument about semantics, it's one about perception and intention. You have the strict belief that Alex's goal was to make fun of a group of people, but chances are, that title was the best thing he could come up with, and I'm sure it wasn't (and I'm just paraphrasing here) "Let’s think of a crafty way to make fun of these people".
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I was only using the Bible as a source for my quote. I actually read it in a sci-fi book, and not from the Bible itself. Sorry if you missed my point. You're being a hypocrite, no matter whose spelling you're choosing to condemn.

The entire debate stems from Alex's choice of words, and you continued to defend the use of words not normally seen in common parlance. Ergo, the discussion is about semantics. You do your thesis a disservice if you opt to vacillate so disingenuously.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
ted,

The word choice conversation was not to Guildar. It was to OhYes.

The debate is actually more about compassion toward our fellow human beings. Not about word choice. Something the Bible has several verses about. Read it again.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Wow, Fin.

I'm glad you have more time for other things than to pick apart variant spellings of words. Many people spell judgment with that extra e. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's not a valid word, with its own hopes, aspirations, and emotions. Quit othering alternative spellings.

I'm told the debate is entirely about word choice. It was about Alex's choice of words. Now, you're denying Gauldar the right to question your word choice. You object to belittling a whole group of people, and then proceed to try and personally belittle Gauldar (and a whole group of people who don't spell a real word the way you do) based on spelling.

There's a verse in the Bible about seeing the mote in someone else's eye, but you can't see the log that's in your own.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
It's an early prototype of "Mr. Microphone".

A very, very early prototype developed back in the 12th century.

"Hark, yon fair maiden! We shalt returneth soon and abscond with thy personage!"
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
[quote]Sam Saturday
June 25th, 2009 at 7:54 am

It’s an early prototype of “Mr. Microphone”.

A very, very early prototype developed back in the 12th century.

“Hark, yon fair maiden! We shalt returneth soon and abscond with thy personage!”[/quote]
Hilarious.
I think that Chris P has the answer.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
This is a dieting device, for people hopelessly addicted to ice cream cones. The ridges are very sharp, so when you grab it, it hurts.

Of course, for full effect, use while listening to Lovely Lovely Ludwig.

(Gosh I hope one of you nerds gets that reference.)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Its a Güiro (weero). It is a musical instrument, a percution. You can hear it in Salsa, Cumbia and other latin rithms. You can also hear it in Santanas "Oye como va".
Amor y paz.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I had a football coach that had something like this on a lanyard. Was supposed to be for when someone was knocked unconscious, the device could be screwed in between the teeth in order for a trainer or physician to keep a player from swallowing their tongue. That's what I was told anyway.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
This is a puncture repair bung for an inflatable life raft. I have one - it's a souvenir from the Russian cruise liner Mikhail Lermontov that ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds in NZ. http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/lermontov.htm
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
It's a device for prying open the jaws of tetanus or "lockjaw" patients.The grooves are in a spiral, and allowed for the gradual opening of the mouth. However, teeth were often shattered in this process-very painful indeed when performed with no anesthesia as was common then!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Damnit!
I just know I've seen one of these...
just... can't... remember...

Might be for winding iron wire around to make spiral cones of wire.
just don't know what theyre used for.

Allthough I somehow half remember it had to do with making cloth, or spinning wool or something...

hrm.
can't wait for the answer!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Is "Weird" a Bad Word?"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More