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

[Qmonster]

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?

 

[Sleekgiant]

Man I just raped in Infection.......couldn't resist.

If you have a problem with people using a certain word, just air your opinion about it.

 

[Qmonster]

If you have a problem with people using a certain word, just air your opinion about it.

Kind of what I'm doing here.

P.S. Just realized this should be in off-topic instead of gaming discussion. My bad.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

The word is changing, but its not quite at the stage where its got more to do with epic winz than sexual assault yet...give it 5 years or so methinks.

 

[DustyDrB]

Why are so many people asking this all of a sudden?

 

[Bruin]

I couldn't care less about what interjection a Mountain-Dew hyped nerd spews out over Ventrilo.

Seriously.

I couldn't care any less about it.

It doesn't matter what we should or shouldn't say, it's what we want to say. What we want to say hurts peoples' feelings sometimes.

That's a shame, firstly, that people take such things so seriously. It probably stems from actually having contact with a rape in some way or form. Which is still a shame.

But, your unfortunate event does not bar others from using the word rape. Shall I no longer use duct-tape because somebody was suffocated with it once in a movie?

No. I love duct tape.

 

[vento 231]

I honestly think as long as we aren't threatening someone we should be able to say whatever we want. Especially rape, because it is one of my favorites

 

[ioxles]

Knew some one with the moniker Rapier. He thought it meant "to rape".

Rape is fine to use given context. Don't say for example "I'm a rapist", it could be misunderstood.

 

[CheckD3]

It depends, using it w/ a group of friends, or in a small online match to say something like that, it's kind of just the slang. But going on a major network, or in a large group and yelling "You just got raped" or something like that isn't classy at all.

It's all about context, and who's in the immediate area, some people get offended easily, some don't, it's about context and who's around you and their sensitivity and experiences.

 

[Inconspicuous Trenchcoat]

The word is changing, but its not quite at the stage where its got more to do with epic winz than sexual assault yet...give it 5 years or so methinks.

I seriously doubt the meaning of rape is going to change that much in 5 years. Even if it somehow magically did, it would only be among the gaming crowd. Rape is still going to mean "sexual assault" to the vast majority of people.

I personally do not use the word rape to describe winning. It bothers me a little to use it that way. I've gotten used to it more, now that I've heard it used that way a million zillion times now. Probably will never use it that way myself though.

 

[Treeinthewoods]

The word is changing, but its not quite at the stage where its got more to do with epic winz than sexual assault yet...give it 5 years or so methinks.

Does that mean that five years from now the smallest weakest guy in prison is going to be "epic p4wned" in the showers?

OT - It's kind of silly but I don't really care that much.

 

[lockeslylcrit]

Rape has several definitions. One is "to violate," which doesn't always mean something sexual. Another is "a flowering plant in the cabbage/mustard family." So it would be accurate to say "The pollen of rape just raped my nose."

 

[Nicolai]

If you're in doubt, don't do it.

I reckon pwn is a better word for mercilessly achieving victory and it doesn't cause problems if anyone else overhears it.

 

[Instant K4rma]

If you have a problem with people using a certain word, just air your opinion about it.

But think about the reaction you would receive if you started trying to openly confront people online who use this word.

Let's take a normal Xbox live session of Halo or CoD. A few people are doing quite well, and they are the kind of loud, big mouthed people who like to announce their dominance to others, so they start bragging. "Man, I'm fucking raping these scrubs. Look at how much we're raping, guys." Take into account the kind of people who would commonly use the word "rape" in this way on a normal basis.

Now, you try and talk to these people about using that word in that manner. "Hey guys, that's not cool by me. Saying that could be offensive to people."

Saying something along those lines would provoke a reaction similar to this: "What's wrong, pussy? Did you get raped as a kid or something? Hahaha!"

Now, not to say that this situation is justifiable, but to confront the sort of people that use that term in that manner regularly would just end in ridicule.

I agree that the word 'rape' can be offensive to some people, which is why I try my best not to use it openly.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

I wouldn't say it to my little sister...but I'm pretty sure most adults know about this little thing called CONTEXT.

Jesus Christ...no matter the word or phrase, ANYTHING can be offensive given the right context.

Being offended by something is as much the offendee's fault as it is the originator's.

 

[Nicolai]

Rape has several definitions. One is "to violate," which doesn't always mean something sexual. Another is "a flowering plant in the cabbage/mustard family." So it would be accurate to say "The pollen of rape just raped my nose."

The plant is more commonly known these days by its developed variant, canola and violation through ultra-violence is just as problematic as rape. Read or watch "A Clockwork Orange" if you don't believe me.

 

[CrystalShadow]

Um, no. I don't think it's that big a deal.

Now I'm sure some people have been severely traumatised by actual rape...

(And I think I was technically raped last week... I have some sense of how traumatic it can be even when it's not all-out violent assault.)

But still, I don't go around worrying about someone using the word in such a different context.

 

[Qmonster]

Let's take a normal Xbox live session of Halo or CoD. A few people are doing quite well, and they are the kind of loud, big mouthed people who like to announce their dominance to others, so they start bragging. "Man, I'm fucking raping these scrubs. Look at how much we're raping, guys." Take into account the kind of people who would commonly use the word "rape" in this way on a normal basis.

Now, you try and talk to these people about using that word in that manner. "Hey guys, that's not cool by me. Saying that could be offensive to people."

Saying something along those lines would provoke a reaction similar to this: "What's wrong, pussy? Did you get raped as a kid or something? Hahaha!"

Now, not to say that this situation is justifiable, but to confront the sort of people that use that term in that manner regularly would just end in ridicule.

That's actually exactly why I brought this up here. I expect more intelligent conversation from the Escapist crowd than from a random XBL session

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

At certain times I see no problem in "rape" being used to describe a victory. It sort of says that you dominated the opposition. That being said I still think you should be careful about when you use it. If your victory involves some sort of sexual theme, it might come off as a bit crass and insensitive.

So yes use it, but us it wisely. And sure as hell don't use it all the time.

Of course I prefer more elaborate sounding words, such as dominate, obliterate, and annihilate (damn words with -late at the end sure are good to describe victory). Although "pwn" is useful when you want the word to be short and sweet.

 

[gphjr14]

I use it all the time around friends. At work not so much.