Re: The 'b' word
 

Interesting to read your thoughts on it, and yeah I can certainly see the distinction.

I usually play it safe and avoid the word wherever possible unless I'm with peers who are more likely to know how I do (and don't) mean things. Even then, I tend not to use that word much. In fact the only recipient of that word that I can think of if my cat when she's clawed the furniture or something! (at which point a whole string of expletives - yes even sexist ones - spill from my mouth, poor bitch!)

Context really is everything though isn't it? I have no problem using the word Paki in front of my partner because I know he and his family use it to describe other people of a Pakistani background, and it would be nonsensical to think I could remotely mean it in a demeaning way. Yet I'm absolutely in no doubt about how offensive the word would be more broadly.

One of my pet bugbears are those white people who complain that they're not allowed to use the word nigger, and whinge, "so why's it's ok for black people to use it?" Usually they're the same ones who are also complaining about how white people are the persecuted ones these days, and Islam is being given special treatment, and gays too, and men are now less equal than women....

Sheesh. That whole Daily Mail mindset just pisses me off no end. Send these people back to school. Like, right now. :rolleyes: