|
|
 Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:23 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Mace wrote: | | Its really a shame that such a disgusting expression can sneak into our childrens vocabulary and our homes. Three of my sons friends are brothers and they live in a strict Christian home, attend private schools, do not own a video game console, watch only select television shows, and have only supervised computer access. Yet they use this expression regularly. If their parents new the root of the expression they would surely freak! |
A lot of obscenity of that type has entered kids' slang. When some kids like something, they say it's "pimp". My friends had to get their daughter broken of that habit.
Another example is the now near universal use of the word "suck" to register disapproval. It's actually an abbreviation of an older expression that's both obscene and horridly racist, and every time I hear someone use the word that way, the whole expression plays in my head.
It takes real vigilance to keep your kids from saying things like that, because so much of American culture has been pornified since the 1960s, and now even supposedly "family" shows and movies have some kind of explicit or implied obscenity in them. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:51 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Mace wrote: | Wow, I thought this may continue to be fun but from your condesending comments and obvious ignorance of this particular subject and/or American modern culture, you should probably keep your comments for other selfimportant knowitalls like yourself.
And dont worry, I will continue to worry about what comes out of my sons mouth as well as what he hears because that is my responsibility as a father.
Adios Seniora,
Mace
"Hearing only what you want to hear, knowing only what you've heard." |
In what way were my comments condescending, Mace? You seemed worried about your kids and I, as mother, wanted to offer a few words of friendly advice.
But as you took it the wrong way, can I ask if you would allow your kids to say such things as this to a complete stranger?
| Quote: | | you should probably keep your comments for other selfimportant knowitalls like yourself. |
You don't know me from Adam, and yet you allow yourself to be so rude. Why? |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
 |
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:11 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Molly wrote: | | In what way were my comments condescending, Mace? You seemed worried about your kids and I, as mother, wanted to offer a few words of friendly advice. |
You were condescending toward her, as you often are to people. You also condescendingly indicated to her that obscene language isn't bad for kids, using as an example the fact that many people in Spain use an obscene word for a vagina in their daily speech.
| Molly wrote: | | You don't know me from Adam, and yet you allow yourself to be so rude. Why? |
People examine the forum before they post. They can't open one single thread without seeing posts in which you are trying to antagonize someone, and then pleading innocence when it's pointed out. Basically, people know a lot about you, even before the first time they post.
Now stop antagonizing her. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:30 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
Jamie, I think it's time for a "whatever".
If someone says "I'm awfully worried about..." and another person says "I wouldn't worry if I were you", is the second speaker being condesceding? Not in Nigeria, at least. We normally welcome such concern and assurance, even from strangers. Are people in the US more paranoid regarding friendly advice? Do you hear "I don't need you help, thank you very much" often?
| Quote: | | They can't open one single thread without seeing posts in which you are trying to antagonize someone, and then pleading innocence when it's pointed out. Basically, people know a lot about you, even before the first time they post. |
This gets more and more hilarious, Jamie. You're doing YOUR "she does it much more than I do" routine again. If winning Brownie points with "new" members is your thing, well just go for it. I can weather the storm.
| Quote: | | Now stop antagonizing her. |
Who's "her"?
And how's this for condescending posting?
| Quote: | | It's impossible to know what register he's trying to write in, because he ping-pongs between slang (B.tech) and stratospherically formal language. Since he's making the typical Indian error of wearing all the jewelry he owns at the same time (i.e., using all the most formal words he can), then it's appropriate to adjust his register as well as his vocabulary. |
| Quote: | | 2. You make the most typical mistake of people from the Indian subcontinent, which is that you write as if you've swallowed a dictionary. |
|
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:47 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Could we say that Jamie's and Mace's assertion (i.e. "tight" is originally associated with the assumed tightness of a virgin's vagina) has now lost such connotation for most users of the word? |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:37 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Mace wrote: | | I here the kids in the area all using the word "tight" to describe everything they like. Does someone know where this usage comes from? |
Hi Mace,
I don't support any of those v-word theories. A lot of American slang travels the sea, and -- in my mind -- the word tight being used instead of cool, sound or fab (the latter in the 1980s/90s) triggers no other connotation than screwing something tight. If the screw is tight, it's cool.
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher |
|
Ralf
Language Coach
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 1427
Location: EU (Ireland and Germany)
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:53 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Ralf wrote: | | Mace wrote: | | I here the kids in the area all using the word "tight" to describe everything they like. Does someone know where this usage comes from? |
Hi Mace,
I don't support any of those v-word theories. A lot of American slang travels the sea, and -- in my mind -- the word tight being used instead of cool, sound or fab (the latter in the 1980s/90s) triggers no other connotation than screwing something tight. If the screw is tight, it's cool. |
Ralf, if you were in the US and had a feel for the general provenance of current slang expressions, you'd understand why we subscribe to the V-word theory. Basically, virtually any new slang word among kids nowadays has some kind of sexual association derived from rap music. The kids may use the words in all innocence, but eventually they become aware of the source of the term. In particular, the slang terms used to address girls and women are demeaning, humiliating, and outrageously obscene, and parents have to try to exterminate them in their kids' speech. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:53 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Ralf wrote: | | I don't support any of those v-word theories. A lot of American slang travels the sea, and -- in my mind -- the word tight being used instead of cool, sound or fab (the latter in the 1980s/90s) triggers no other connotation than screwing something tight. If the screw is tight, it's cool. |
Be careful, you might be accused of being condescending.  |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:56 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Molly wrote: | | Ralf wrote: | | I don't support any of those v-word theories. A lot of American slang travels the sea, and -- in my mind -- the word tight being used instead of cool, sound or fab (the latter in the 1980s/90s) triggers no other connotation than screwing something tight. If the screw is tight, it's cool. |
Be careful, you might be accused of being condescending. |
Ralf didn't say, "Hi! I'm in Spain, and everybody uses a filthy word for vagina here without any intention of insulting anyone, and even though everyone knows it's a filthy word for vagina, no one is aware that it's a filthy word for vagina, even though it obviously is, so don't worry about your kids using filthy words." |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:12 pm The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Jamie (K) wrote: | | Be careful, you might be accused of being condescending. |
Ralf didn't say, "Hi! I'm in Spain, and everybody uses a filthy word for vagina here without any intention of insulting anyone, and even though everyone knows it's a filthy word for vagina, no one is aware that it's a filthy word for vagina, even though it obviously is, so don't worry about your kids using filthy words."[/quote]
Again, how is that condescending? Ralf is saying exactly the same as me.
And it looks like you may be wrong on the vagina connection, doesn't it? |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
| Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:22 pm The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Molly wrote: | | Again, how is that condescending? Ralf is saying exactly the same as me. |
No he's not. You said it's perfectly normal and wholesome to use obscene words as slang without any obscene intention. Ralf said he associated the slang term with a completely different idea.
| Molly wrote: | | And it looks like you may be wrong on the vagina connection, doesn't it? |
No, I know I'm right about it. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
| Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:21 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Thank you! That's a great explanation. "Pornified", I like that, or sould I say that's tight! True Dat Yo! Ehemm, I mean, Well said! |
|
Mace
New Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Citrus Heights California
|
|
| Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:25 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Quote: | | You said it's perfectly normal and wholesome to use obscene words as slang without any obscene intention. |
I said, it happens and is seen as normal by some people. Description versus prescription, Jamie.
Now, when you've finished with trying to earn Brownie points, we can move on. |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
| Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:29 am The origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is... |
|
|
| Quote: | | Ralf, if you were in the US and had a feel for the general provenance of current slang expressions, you'd understand why we subscribe to the V-word theory. Basically, virtually any new slang word among kids nowadays has some kind of sexual association derived from rap music. The kids may use the words in all innocence, but eventually they become aware of the source of the term. In particular, the slang terms used to address girls and women are demeaning, humiliating, and outrageously obscene, and parents have to try to exterminate them in their kids' speech. |
Yes, Jamie, that's all fine, but where is your proof of origin of the use of "tight". Proof would be useful.
| Quote: | Molly wrote:
And it looks like you may be wrong on the vagina connection, doesn't it?
No, I know I'm right about it. |
Ralf calls it a theory, but you say it's fact. So, show us the facts. |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3793
|
|
|
| start+finish or getstarted+getdone | Poem: "Perhaps this could have stayed unstated" |
