On Sun, 2005-09-25 at 18:10 -0500, Cybe R. Wizard wrote: > On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 18:41:09 -0400 > David Clymer <david@zettazebra.com> wrote: > > > Doofus, stupid, etc are pejoratives. I don't consider it appropriate > > to describe someone in such terms merely because they happen to have > > been delt a smaller portion of intelligence. However, when someone > > actively refuses to use the brain they have...I have no qualms about > > applying such labels. > > > > Perhaps you speak the same language, but with less tact. > > > > -davidc > > What would be the correct PC term, AOLer? Some are smart. Why not just > use a time tested, tried, and true word everyone is already familiar > with? There are plenty of words with which all of us are familiar, but are not appropriate for use in describing the group in question for one reason or another. > I admit that 'doofus' is used contemptuously but stupid is usually not, > is it? I tend to think it is, but usage could certainly differ in various social circles. > What is the opposite of pejorative? Congratulatory? Neither > stupid nor smart warrant either of those terms, they are only states of > being like blond or red-headed. I disagree. My experience is that if I tell someone they are stupid, they tend to be offended. Knowing this, I wouldn't use that word to describe a person unless I intended to demean or belittle them. Thus, in my view, it warrants classifying the term as a pejorative. I agree that a person's intelligence is an innate characteristic. -davidc -- gpg-key: http://www.zettazebra.com/files/key.gpg
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