News0 min ago
Poof
13 Answers
On Big Brother the other night (yer I know, but my mitigation plea is that my other half watches it) one of the exhibits was chastised for using the word Poof because, and I quote, "It is homophobic language".
Is it?
My hulking great big bear of a black labrador squels like a big pansy when there's lightning, so I refer to him as a big poof!
Am I now to expect a visit from Outragemutt or Stonewolf or something for marginalising my dog?
Genuine question - is the word poof homophobic? If I were a poof and were called a poof, I genuniely think I would find it quite funny.
Is it?
My hulking great big bear of a black labrador squels like a big pansy when there's lightning, so I refer to him as a big poof!
Am I now to expect a visit from Outragemutt or Stonewolf or something for marginalising my dog?
Genuine question - is the word poof homophobic? If I were a poof and were called a poof, I genuniely think I would find it quite funny.
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by flip_flop. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
-- answer removed --
As with any word used against someone of a different sexuality/race/nationality/whatever, whether or not it's offensive is up to the recipient to decide, not the speaker. True, the speaker may well mean it in a playful way rather than a vicious one, but ultimately it is up to the person on the receiving end of it as to whether they see it in the same context or not.
Neither saxy_jag's mate nor The Prophet's cousin can claim to speak for all gay people any more than any of us can claim to speak for all heterosexuals. Some will find it offensive, some won't. As for gay people using it about themselves, I feel that's just a case of "reclaiming" the word to lessen its impact, as certain sections of the black community have done with the word "n***er".
Neither saxy_jag's mate nor The Prophet's cousin can claim to speak for all gay people any more than any of us can claim to speak for all heterosexuals. Some will find it offensive, some won't. As for gay people using it about themselves, I feel that's just a case of "reclaiming" the word to lessen its impact, as certain sections of the black community have done with the word "n***er".
There are many terms that have been recently "reclaimed" by various groups, to try to take the sting out of their tail. Black people can call each other "******", disabled people can be "crips" and, the jewel in the crown, now "Gay" is the accepted and politically correct term for "homosexual". In fact, the word "homosexual" itself is now seen as slightly un-PC. However, you must be very careful with these word. Obviously, if you arewhite, you do not want to be going around calling people "*******", or even "******". The same is true for the word "poof". If you are not one, it is expedient to steer clear. Hence Big Brother and the controversy.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.