Comments on: Encomiums and … oh (bleep) it.

By: JD

JD — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:31:01 +0000

I suppose using 'bitch' would be permissible on a TV show about dogs; does that make its use somehow more acceptable in other (offensive) contexts? Probably not, because 'faggot' could be used on a show about meatballs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food)

By: Clare Bohn

Clare Bohn — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:56:38 +0000

April: Calling someone a bastard is, if you think about it, also an insult to his mother rather than directly to him.

Brian: Language! But I agree with you, absolutely.

By: April Korbel

April Korbel — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:27:17 +0000

The other problem is that their is no good male equivalent. Call someone a bastard and he’ll treat it like a compliment.
I was watching original runs of Night Court (mid 80s) when someone decided you could say “bitch” once in a half hour.
I also noticed recently when the word ass was uttered several times on All My Children. Daytime TV is usually very traditional, linguistically anyway.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:57:50 +0000

“The Phillies aren’t the world champions of fucking.”

They’re not? Dammit. *Another* dream shattered. Sigh.

By: Brian White

Brian White — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:40:23 +0000

Well, it depends on the context of calling someone a faggot. If you’re saying it about someone who is gay to be hateful, it’s not the same. If it’s something said in anger or frustration or mockery of one’s manliness, “You’re such a fag,” or “Don’t be a fag,” or whatever, then I think it’s fairly close to calling a woman a bitch.

As for NYPD Blue, I’ve never seen the show. Sounds like they bent the rules there. I approve.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:35:19 +0000

Yes, there’s a typo. or two. and bad HTML.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:34:22 +0000

I’ll back you on your underlying thought, but I’m not sure a can go with how you got there.

Calling a man a faggot isn’t analogous to calling a woman a bitch. Even calling someone a cocksucker doesn’t really mean the same thing as calling him a faggot.

That having been said, on NYPD Blue, Andy call one of the D.A.’s a dickhead.