Euphemisms(what we might not know)

[Grace]

Lets start off with the Webster’s definition here.
Euphemism \Eu"phe*mism\, n. [Gr. ? fr. ? to use word of a good omen; ? well + ? to speak: cf. F. euph['e]misme. See Fame.]

(Rhet.) A figure in which a harsh or indelicate word or expression is softened; a way of describing an offensive thing by an inoffensive expression; a mild name for something disagreeable.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

So basically making a "bad word" look ok or like our server rules say disguising it.

Just some information about some "everyday words" that some of us may use, but not completely understand and the background behind them.

Honestly I did not realize that words that I use or used in the past have negative connotations to them. To tell you the truth until I joined this clan I had no idea that they are wrong to use, although if you think about it some are very obvious. Look at these links it will provide some more insight into this matter.
http://www.wholesomewords.org/ccom.html
www.topical-bible-studies.org/21-0008.htm

God Bless
J.R.

[Peace-=Of-God=-]

Excellent resources there, J.R.! I'll admit that nothing struck me as new on the first one -- but there's a few more obscure ones on that second link for which I didn't realize the etymology until now.

Thank you for the great reminder of why we have the euphemism clause in our "no profanity" rule on our game servers -- and for the reminder to watch our speech on the Ventrilo server, and in real life, as well!

[Patience-=Of-God=-]

I see people from our clan using it all the time, but
personally I have always thought the term "that sucks" was also bad. No way id say it in front of my parents, so it must be bad. It seems obvious to me where it came from, but anyone know the real entymology of the word?

Just curious,
Roger

[Prodigal (Jim)]

Thank J.R., the only thing I would add is the context in which you use the words really lends to their meaning. Some of the words on the list in the second link can be used differently which would change their meaning. I agree we as Christains need to be very aware of how we communicate to others. Using these words as exclamations or any other manner unworthy of a Christian is definately wrong.

Your point is well taken and we should all learn to control the tongue. For it is the rudder that directs the ship's path.

Jim

[Prince-=Of-God=- (Eric)]

Peace-=Of-God=- said:

... I'll admit that nothing struck me as new on the first one...

I have to admit that I didn't know that one too. Especially, that English is not my main language. Your list is truly helpful and I'll share it with my friends here.

God bless,
Eric

[Patience-=Of-God=-]

hmmmm, I was right.
www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=suck

[Blood (Dean)]

good night?

[Shade-=Of-God=-]

Now i hope i am not out of place when i say i think it is mostly the intent. Now on our server we can of course not know there intent but does anyone agree with me or no.

[ironringer]

First, JR, I appreciate the links. There were some I hadn't thought of as euphemisms before, some I knew, and some I suspected. The etymology for some other words (e.g., gyp) can have ethnic or racial connotations that have long been forgotten. So is it right to use them?

My opinion is that we need to be really careful about how we prohibit some of these euphemisms. There are many statements above (and many un-posted echoes of their sentiment I'm sure) that "I didn't know that was bad!". And we're Christians! How much more confusing will it be to our guests, many of whom have never put much thought into this at all.

I think Spear's comment above regarding intent is accurate and important for some of them, for example "Good Night" (!!) but there are others that can only be meant one way (eg., taking the Lord's Name in vain). And there is also context. It says "hell" a number of times in the bible (bible.gospelcom.net/quicksearch/?quicksearch=hell&x=0&y=0) , but the context that it is used in is descriptive of a place or spiritual state. Cursing someone to "go there" is of course wholly inappropriate, as is asking "what in the" implies that the object in question is from or of hell.

If we are going to keep reaching people with this organization, we need to allow for some leeway in how we are enforcing this stuff. Otherwise we will appear (note I said appear) to outsiders like a stuffy church where you're unwelcome if you're not wearing a suit and get a sideways glance if you just let the offering plate go by, and oh did you hear what he just said?

Perhaps the issue I am raising is better suited to a clan-only discussion area on the forums, so I will stop for now. Jeff you are of course welcome to move this post to a more appropriate location where the discussion can continue.

..Dave

[Grace]

I completely agree with what some of you guys are saying. I would be the first to say that I would be a hypocrite if I said I haven't/don't use some of these.

What point I was really trying to get across here is that sometimes we are brought up using terms and we don't realize the background behind them. If we are more educated about the things we say/do etc. the better decisions we are able to make based on accurate information.

Now both you guys are right with some it absolutely depends on the context.

Dave, I would also have to agree that we be lenient in how we enforce some of these as well. Like you said if we do appear to be a stuffy church and we are going to nit-pick at everything they say than we might be missing the opportunity to witness to them.

[Prodigal (Jim)]

J.R. you have done an awesome job bring this to all of our attention and I really appreciate that. I think another area which might be a totally different thread is the use of acronyms. We see this alot while playing AA, most of these are fine but I have seen a few on the server which are not good and many player are using them out of habit or not really knowing the true meaning. Might be helpful to have the scroller say something to this effect.

[Peace-=Of-God=-]

You mean something like this?

1. Profanity and/or obscenity of ANY kind is not tolerated and is grounds for your
immediate removal. Do not use euphemisms/acronyms to disguise the profanity.

Or something that doesn't run on our server scroller 24/7 already? ;D
(that quote is from our server setup file )

[Dancer-=Of-God=-]

I think this post is great for a learning christian like me, but if we gonna kick people from our servers for saying some of those words we will defenetly get a bad name. But if we have to so be it. I'll probably make some keybinds that explain why somo of those words are bad like 'geez' and some other that seemed unharmful to me before.

[Prince-=Of-God=- (Eric)]

Come to think of it, I feel that some phrases listed in www.topical-bible-studies.org/21-0008.htm may be "exaggerated" (sorry, I can't think of another synonym for this). Like, good night or even good Lord and good God. How can it be bad when you're saying it's "good"? Isn't it that indeed the Lord is good? And there is even a song that goes "God is good all the time?" And good night is wishing someone to have a good night? Please enlighten me on this, for as I have mentioned earlier, English is not my main language and as far as I can remember, the habit of saying "Good day", "Good morning", "Good afternoon", "Good evening" and "Good night" is taught in pre-school as "positive expressions".

Nothing against JR, of course. ;D He wasn't the one who made the list anyway. ;D ;D ;D And, the list in itself, is very enlightening, except for some that confuses me.

[Missionary-=Of-God=-]

hey eric... good to see your smiling face.
what you have to look at is the context in which those phrases are used. if someone is talking to God or about God, the phrases are fine.... but, when people are mad or use the words in an empty way (they replace bad words with the good ones) they are just as much of a sin as saying the actual word. it all goes back to the intent of the heart. i hope this helps clear it up for you. english is my only language and i still dont understand everything about it

since this list has been posted, i have become aware of how much i use a couple of the words.... and it bothers me. i could try to justify my use of the words but i dont want to. i want my communication to always be pleasing to my Savior.

[Prince-=Of-God=- (Eric)]

Hello Marson, thanks for the clarification. Well, I think you can use almost all words even "non-euphemized" ;D words "negatively" is you want to. It all boils down to intent.

Just trying to clarify things because I too would want my communication pleasing to God

I guess, I just need a lot of "examples" to understand them better. Better start brushing up on my English ;D

[Prodigal (Jim)]

Peace-=Of-God=- said:

You mean something like this?
Or something that doesn't run on our server scroller 24/7 already? ;D
(that quote is from our server setup file )

Hehe, thanks Jeff...took me a bit dodging bullets to finally read that part. ;D

[mark007]

It's kinda strange to see the roots of all of these words. I would never have expected some of those to have been less than clean...

[flamedfox]

I agree its weird to see where abouts all of these words have come from isnt it?

John

[skillshot]

I didn't no quite a few of those words... But the list has helped open my eyes don't get me wrong i'll still use a few of those words but I think it will make you think before you use them.

The one that i was most unshure about was good night I think that word being 'dirty' is down right stupid.

Darn - euphemism for damn. I got warned for that one then my cousin went on and got me kicked.

Great list though but i still think a few are ok. E.g. gee and golly.