Taking offense in decent verbal expression?

Sometimes it's evident that certain individuals act like they're still in high school. They have to put someone down to pick themselves up. This weeks WT lesson deals in part with this.

To your friend: if you know that your diction is correct and you're not trying to make yourself someone you're not, then let people say what they will. Most likely, they were going to say it anyway; the way you speak is simply a target for them to shoot at. So hold your head high!

When I go on job interviews, I get laughed at because, out of respect for the interviewer, I wear a suit and tie. This doesn't imply that I think I'm any better than any other applicant. It is simply proper.

"there is a time and a place to express ourselves"...that is true..and it is up to each of us to decide when..society has so many of us repressing our thoughts and feelings that it is nearly taboo to speak of them..those who critcise us..we who have learned to say yes to OUR feelings...are actually admiring us..wishing they too were brave enough to speak up..yes there will be some who have been taught it is not ok..but pity them for they are the ones who have turmoil within themselves..speak up..there never will be a better time or place than the moment it needs to be said

I guess people generally don't like those who have better skills. They either try to attribute everything to luck, or start hating you. Having better skills in using your language translates into better education, better position in life, better everything - and who would like that? :)

I suppose it could be depending more so on the manner in which the turn of phrase or particular word is used.

Tone of voice and facial expression when uttering supposed "offensive" phrase/word combined with juxtaposition of said word/phrase in context of rest of sentence: ie: does phrase not fit with rest of vocabulary/is the person putting on heirs and trying to sound more Intelligent than she really is? I have heard people inject french words into English sentences in humorous attempts to create the illusion that they are other worldly or of some higher financial plateau...LOL

(yes, I just typed LOL--so sue me)

Point being, is the person who used "higher language" well equipped to do so and where is she uttering such phrases? One should always be conscious of where and to whom one is flexing their vocabulary, lest she/he comes off as a snooty **** at some barnyard ho down or biker clubhouse. "I say, fornicator of Matron, do pass the illegal substance across your motor post haste lest the authorities come in unbeknownst to us and become privy to the gig which would appear to be up!"

I have heard rather limited intellects trying to sound more intellegent than they really are by interjecting one word which they perhaps read in the "word of the day" in the latest issue of Readers' Digest Magazine and it can be quite comedic, and yes--annoying. So, for instance if some swampwash Suzie is saying something to this effect:

"I ain't wrastlin' no alligator in front of the trailer 'cause I gots me a whole lot a pains in mah chest an I fear a myocardial infarction is comin'"...well clearly, this is dissonant and funny as hell. Ok-better example:

"Hand me that can of Ravioli and the can opener Cleevus. Lemme open this motherf#ck3r and then we can hi tail it to the beer store cause I'm fatigued."

Clearly the word "fatigued" is something this cussing hillbilly heard on tv or read on some ad and the rest of his/her vocabulary does not match that of one who'd use 'fatigued' in a better structured sentense...so therefore, that woman may well be putting on heirs. Why use a turn of phrase or word when it is clearly not common use?

If a person jumps out the window, it is socially appropriate, customery and appropriate to say "He jumped out the window", not"He defenestered"...while both are correct, only one is appropriate. Same thing goes with taking off ones shoes. You'd say,"Come in. Take your shoes off", you would not be expected to say,"Come in. Excalciate" and expect not to raise a few eyebrows as a response. You'd clearly be putting on heirs.

PERFECT example is during one episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David tried to cassually weave the word 'ascertain' into casual conversation (Jeff Green called him on his ******** too ha ha) "I can see the left wall of the liquor store, so I ascertain the hotdog stand is over near the beer store"

So, in conclusion, it's not only the correctness of the word as it fits logically into a sentense (technically) that makes it 'decent' or deemed inappropriate/vulgar verbal expression--sometimes it is the context in which the word is spoken and under what circumstances (and with what accompanying tone of voice or facial expression).

While a lover of languages, I too have experienced great annoyance at the blatant attempt to appear a lot more intelligent or of a higher social status as is factual. Also, the person who is saying this woman is clearly putting on heirs may just be a complete and utter imbecile who is jealous of her intelligence. Sometimes, we just have to be there.

To my dismay, she was too fatigied to dishabille so I can only ascertain that she detects I am a blithering half wit and shall not partake in a meager repast. I daresay I shan't be experiencing the tender confines of my well oiled scabbard for a fortnight. I acquiesce.

:-)

Peace out bro'.

Denise LaFrance

http://www.myspace.com/denisethepainter