What's with the sexism and homophobia lately?

[Octopod]

Post count when you have over 1000 posts of amazing information filled posts does count.
I would rather listen to henrygrik than most of you idiots, he would probably have something better to say about this. Basically, shut up and listen to the mods, or you will be banned.

Hatta, I challenge you
You are all gay faggoty homo's, get back to the kitchen women

Post count means shit. And don't tell me to fucking shut up.

[dedalusdedalus]

You know the origin of the word "fag"?

It comes from "faggot", a bundle of sticks which you burn. Homosexuals were called "faggots" because traditionally people killed homosexuals by burning them like a bundle of sticks in giant fires. If you recanted being homosexual, you would wear an embroidery of a bundle of sticks to represent what you deserved for your sins.

That's a myth. There's no historical record of burning homosexuals at the stake in England. The fact that bundles of sticks are meant to be burnt is a likely explanation for why "faggot" is UK slang for a cigarette, but it doesn't explain why "faggot" also refers to homosexuality.

The origin of the word is a lot more nuanced and a lot less colorful than than the myth you repeated. The connection between faggot as a bundle of sticks and homosexuality evolved from either of these two ways:

(a) If you've ever carried a bundle of sticks, it's pretty fucking heavy. So it became idiomatic to refer to an overbearing or annoying woman as a "faggot," as a pre-modern analog to the expression "ball and chain." The word "faggot" then evolved from a sexist slur to a homosexual slur.

(b) The word "faggot" became short-hand for a man-servant, who would be responsible for collecting and carrying bundles of sticks for the household. And then, within the unisex English boarding school system, the word became co-opted to refer to younger and weaker students who could often be coerced into doing things by upper-classmen.

Interestingly, in Sheridan's play "The Rivals," there's a character named "Fag" who's the servant of the main character, Captain Absolute. This was written in 1775, and seems to provide concrete support for hypothesis (b).

[dedalusdedalus]

Given that I want Racketboy to be a good place for everyone boy, girl, homosexual, cisgendered or robot I very much agree that we need in the rules a mention of this.

Looks like all of those robot slurs you guys were posting drove Henrygrik away.

[bobbynewmarkiii]

"faggot" is UK slang for a cigarette

I think you mean 'fag', as in - 'give us a fag', or 'John sucks cocks for fags', although I'm not sure which usage of the word is intended in the second example... just a phrase used by schoolkids...

[slowslow325]

I didn't read through the five pages of post, but I just would like to say that I am not homophobic at all, in fact I'm a supporter of gay rights. However, I still make direct fun of gays all the time. Not just saying things like "that's so gay" (which I do, too), but I will also go out of my way to make fun of a gay guy for being gay.

I'm also realllly sexist. I believe that women should cook food and do the laundry.

Anybody that says they won't hit a woman is sexist too. What is that saying, "Women are too weak to defend themselves from us big strong men!!!"

I think that overall people need to have a greater sense of humor and less "That offended me" comments. If someone came up to me and started directly attacking me for being short, straight, retro-gamer, or any other one of my flaws, I would probably agree with them and laugh.
I'm also racist

[swiftzx]

*sigh* People who pick on gay people do it to made them feel better, but they are being a total dumbass. Women have been struggling to gain respect for over a century; lets all mature, okay

Another fact: Ya know what's in my kitchen? Some of the best food in North Carolina.

That's what I'm talking about

Ohh, does anyone remember this http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... &sk=t&sd=a

[Incognito D]

You know the origin of the word "fag"?

It comes from "faggot", a bundle of sticks which you burn...

They're also delicious!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_%28food%29

[Beak]

That's a myth. There's no historical record of burning homosexuals at the stake in England. The fact that bundles of sticks are meant to be burnt is a likely explanation for why "faggot" is UK slang for a cigarette, but it doesn't explain why "faggot" also refers to homosexuality.

The origin of the word is a lot more nuanced and a lot less colorful than than the myth you repeated. The connection between faggot as a bundle of sticks and homosexuality evolved from either of these two ways:

(a) If you've ever carried a bundle of sticks, it's pretty fucking heavy. So it became idiomatic to refer to an overbearing or annoying woman as a "faggot," as a pre-modern analog to the expression "ball and chain." The word "faggot" then evolved from a sexist slur to a homosexual slur.

(b) The word "faggot" became short-hand for a man-servant, who would be responsible for collecting and carrying bundles of sticks for the household. And then, within the unisex English boarding school system, the word became co-opted to refer to younger and weaker students who could often be coerced into doing things by upper-classmen.

Interestingly, in Sheridan's play "The Rivals," there's a character named "Fag" who's the servant of the main character, Captain Absolute. This was written in 1775, and seems to provide concrete support for hypothesis (b).

Not that your argument is false at all, but check any etymological dictionary and you'll find direct evidence of my statement.

Note that most heretics were burned at the stake. This wasn't restricted to homosexuals and went for anything the church considered morally reprehensible. "Faggot" more meant any person who was to be burned for heresy. All I said is that that's the term's origin. As with any etymological origin, its modern meaning doesn't necessarily reflect its original meaning.


EDIT: You know, upon further thought, you're probably right. I sensationalized my description a little bit. Your etymology is more likely and less simplistic. My etymological dictionary definitely says the meaning I gave though, I'm not taking that back.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

You need to stop looking at the actual definition and look more at the connotations of the words. I have a friend who is homosexual to the point it's seeping out his ears and he uses fag and gay to describe things all the time.

[MentalMan]

So, every good poster aorund here understands why using "gay" as a insult is bogoted. Yes, it's pretty damn obvious but people fail at that. I'm happy you are nice people unlike that 15 posts user there.

Hey brucie, you are completly missing the point.

Now let me suck your 600 post-count, it makes me hot!