How is it derailing to approach a discussion of word usage from a linguistic perspective? That's what words ARE. That's by its very nature the ENTIRE subject at hand.
"Banning" used as the whole "don't use these words" point of the post. Obviously there won't be any legal consequence, but that's another issue with words.
My point was that the words in question may not actually be offensive in modern usage and that we can't very well not say every single word that people ask us not to use because OF things like that. We have to use reason in deciding those things, and that's the very essence of civility--thinking before we speak. If those rational, practical thoughts result in us finding no cause to take offense to certain words, so be it. I've spoken the rationale behind why we as people shouldn't take offense to obsolete words. That's all.
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Date: 2011-02-03 09:02 am (UTC)"Banning" used as the whole "don't use these words" point of the post. Obviously there won't be any legal consequence, but that's another issue with words.
My point was that the words in question may not actually be offensive in modern usage and that we can't very well not say every single word that people ask us not to use because OF things like that. We have to use reason in deciding those things, and that's the very essence of civility--thinking before we speak. If those rational, practical thoughts result in us finding no cause to take offense to certain words, so be it. I've spoken the rationale behind why we as people shouldn't take offense to obsolete words. That's all.