Poll: Poll: is the word "rape" okay to use?

Recommended Videos

Hashime

New member
Jan 13, 2010
2,538
0
0
No, but I use it anyways. If someone get offended I have accomplished a goal.
 

Omikron009

New member
May 22, 2009
3,817
0
0
Using the term "rape" can cause flashbacks to traumatic events, such as the experience of rape? I never would have guessed.

OT: It shouldn't be used excessively. I only ever use it to describe spectacular kills in games.
 

Blue_vision

Elite Member
Mar 31, 2009
1,276
0
41
Qmonster said:
It didn't used to bother me, but recently I've become more and more uncomfortable with people using the word "rape" to describe an epic win. I was originally of the opinion that words shouldn't be harmful, but in truth a simple word can cause flashbacks to painful events, such as the experience of rape. So my question is, should we really be using this word in such a casual manner?
I'd say no. If someone has a problem with it, they should just say so and the person who said it can apologize.

It's not meant to be offensive like "gay" or "fag," it's just a metaphor. You dominated that ************ so bad it's as though you had raped him. The exact same as "that meeting was murder," or "school's torture."
Perhaps a bit more informal than those two, but there's no negative connotation towards any victims or people actually using it as an adjective, so if it is offensive to someone, then just be polite and apologize for it. But there's no need to censor it and make it more touchy a subject than it currently is.
 

oplinger

New member
Sep 2, 2010
1,721
0
0
I don't think it should really be used to describe epic wins. I don't use it anymore. But I know I can't change other people.
 

ElTigreSantiago

New member
Apr 23, 2009
875
0
0
If someone has had a horrible experience like that, that is a shame and I feel terrible for them. But no one is forcing them to talk to other gamers online. It would make a lot more sense for them to stop communicating rather than ban the use of the word for millions...

I use that term all the time. Of course I don't literally mean rape, it is just yet another slang term. The same goes for "gay" and "retarded". I support gay people and I'm not trying to offend metally retarded people. They are just words. If they apply to you, that's just something you're going to have to deal with in life.
 

Lopsided Weener

Fresh Meat
Mar 16, 2010
148
0
0
I have no problem with whatever words other people use, but it doesn't mean that I use the same words as they do. If I personally don't like using a word in a certain situation then I won't, but I couldn't care less about what others do with the word.
 

Sniper Team 4

New member
Apr 28, 2010
5,433
0
0
I've never heard it used in the context you're speaking of. And I'm glad I haven't. I agree one hundred percent. I don't think it's a word people should be using outside of their own circle of friends.
 

Qmonster

New member
Sep 20, 2010
93
0
0
Thanks all for your input. I really believe in freedom of expression, including both freedom to use whatever colorful language one wants, and the freedom to tell people I am uncomfortable with something someone said. As long as people feel that it's okay to say "hey, that's offensive" there's balance. I don't believe anyone should feel censored, so I will continue telling people I don't like it when they use "fag," "gay," or "rape" in certain ways. Go 1st Amendment.
 

daedalus720

New member
Oct 7, 2010
26
0
0
That word, in my opinion, should NEVER be used casually. Just say 'owned' when you absolutely dominate someone in online play.
 

Chrinik

New member
May 8, 2008
437
0
0
Flying-Emu said:
It's a word.

A word.

God damn.
People have been shot for their words...

Well I don´t use it...primarily I´m not an online gamer, secondly, it sounds way less cool in german...
Also I don´t go around and proclaim I rape people in a videogame...it might get picked up by polititians.
 

WaywardHaymaker

New member
Aug 21, 2009
991
0
0
Most of my friends are of the opinion that words are words and it's the meaning behind them that matters. I can't say I disagree, but I personally try to avoid using certain words that I don't really like, such as 'rape.' To each their own, I guess.
 

Nouw

New member
Mar 18, 2009
15,615
0
0
I think the concept of rape should be taken a bit more seriously at times. And don't say
"WHAT ABOUT KILLING!?" because I'd rather not say the defense again. Although I will!

It doesn't really bother me but what does is that it's not at the point where you can say it as much as 'kill.'

Flying-Emu said:
It's a word.

A word.

God damn.
I half-beg to differ? I understand where you're coming from and as much as I'd love to swear loudly at school, people will be offended. Words have meaning and are powerful things no matter what that word is. You can start wars with words, get killed, sued or fined for saying words. You're life could be ruined by saying words.

I use 'rape' at times around friends but if not, I'm going to tuck it away into a little box.
 

NeutralDrow

New member
Mar 23, 2009
9,097
0
0
I don't know if I can assign unconditional value to the word as others use it (sometimes you're an asshole for doing so, other times not). Either way, I don't.

In that context, at least. <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.130703-Neutral-Drow-reviews-Xchange>For the literal meaning, it's fair (if horrific) play.
 

tehweave

Gaming Wildlife
Apr 5, 2009
1,942
0
0
Is there a reason why it feels so uncomfortable for you?

As for me, it depends on the scenario. To say that Obsidian entertainment raped the fallout franchise or to say I got raped by an Orc Hunter last night in WoW feels casual and fine to me, but I also understand that it's a very serious problem and some people really don't like to refer to it at all.

Granted we can say 'fucked' 'screwed' 'boned' 'humped' 'fillibustered?' instead and people won't mind. That particular word invokes some negative connotations, so I'll say 'yes' but watch who your audience is.
 

HotPocket

New member
Jan 5, 2010
164
0
0
Qmonster said:
It didn't used to bother me, but recently I've become more and more uncomfortable with people using the word "rape" to describe an epic win. I was originally of the opinion that words shouldn't be harmful, but in truth a simple word can cause flashbacks to painful events, such as the experience of rape. So my question is, should we really be using this word in such a casual manner?
There are technically two definitions to the word rape.

One is about sexual assault and the other involves complete destruction.

An example of the 2nd one is "the rape of Europa" which is what WWII is occasionally called, or something like raping the land means that you are stripping it of value.

I think that it can be implied towards an epic win in the 2nd case, although I only use it in the most appropriate circumstances (like a penta-kill on LoL).