Let's settle this once and for all... Trashy vs. Trashy

[Hugin]

Poll question: Let's settle this once and for all... Trashy vs. Trashy

Is "trashy" a negative or a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" positive?

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. It's just a word.

'sall about context.

[Hugin]

3. It's an implied thing.

Is that what you're saying?

[imenja]

2. it's a sexist word

and to pretend otherwise is a lie

[redqueen]

4. I get that impression as well.

As with the appearance issue, it just seems women are judged more harshly.

[Hugin]

5. True...

But, in my experience, women are harsher on each other
WRT "appearance issues" than men are on women.

[redqueen]

13. I completely disagree.

Yes, women can be just as harsh as men, however not as many are, IMO.

[Hugin]

17. I find that surprising...

May only be me, but, I don't recall ever sitting around
with the guys discussing the nuance of a woman's dress, make-up,
or appearance.

[imenja]

24. that doesn't really matter

Whether men or women engage in sexist language and behavior, the result is the same--an effort to disempower women, to reduce them to second class citizenship. Women are quite capable to participating in their own degradation, but it is they who suffer as a result.

[Magrittes Pipe]

6. When I refer to the trash in my trash can, it is sexist?

Again, it's all about the context.

[Pithlet]

7. Come on, now

You know that no one is referrring to trash cans, here. It's the context that is being discussed to begin with.

[Magrittes Pipe]

There's been some confusion all around.

I think some people are getting a bit self-righteous on both sides, and both sides seem to have "trashy" confused with "sexually promiscuous."

I'm not going to judge people on their sex life. But if I were to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt to a business meeting, I would look like trash.

I suppose it's all about context there, too. ;)

[redqueen]

11. The context is women and their appearance, yes...

but not something as changeable as clothes or as contextual as what to look like at a business meeting.

Since this all started about lower back tattoos that no one should see unless the woman intends it to be seen, the point you raise about a business meeting isn't part of this discussion. If the original thread had asked "are women who wear short tops to business meetings so everyone can see their lower back tatoos", then your example above would be germane, but...

[Magrittes Pipe]

15. I fail to see how it's not germane.

Things got dragged to extremes on both sides, and now there is the claim that the word "trash" is, at its essense, a sexist word.

No, it's not. But yes, it can be used in a sexist manner.

[redqueen]

16. True, it's not sexist in every context...

however, in this one (IMO) it is.

[Magrittes Pipe]

22. But as it's not sexist in every context, the WORD itself is not sexist.

The word is a word. NO word is inherently sexist (though some have no non-sexist usages in a given colloquial). For instance, the "C" word, which is perfectly acceptable in British swearing (still a swear, but not inherently sexist), would get this post deleted if I were to type it out. Here in the States, there really isn't a non-sexist context for it; but that doesn't mean the word itself is sexist -- it's the USAGE that is sexist.

[redqueen]

25. Yes, I know.

That's what I was saying. hehe

Don't be silly... you can say cunt here as long as you're not saying it in a mean way, right? (I guess we'll find out.)

[Magrittes Pipe]

28. I've seen posts locked/deleted for saying it in a non-mean way.

:shrug:

[Pithlet]

12. I wasn't claiming an opinon either way

My point was the people in this post who were calling the word sexist weren't referring to yesterday's newspaper.

I didn't mean to look like I was jumping on you. This is the lounge. I try not to take anything here too seriously. Now, if this had been in GD... ;)

[Magrittes Pipe]

14. I'm not staking a claim either way, myself.

I think there's been a good deal of sexism on one hand, and a good deal of misinterpretation and conclusion-jumping on the other.

I exist solely to mock the whole thing.

[imenja]

20. if you use terms like Sambo or darky is is racist?

Cut the bullshit. Obviously we aren't talking about garbage. This refers to the constant onslaught of sexist threads that have spread through the lounge. Surely you can't be that oblivious to the meaning of such obviously sexist terms.

[Magrittes Pipe]

23. You said: "it's a sexist word and to pretend otherwise is a lie."

I am simply taking you to task for your false reasoning. The WORD is NOT sexist, unless the trash in the trash can is a sexist thing. The USAGE may be sexist, but the word is not.

And to pretend otherwise is a lie.

[imenja]

26. I suppose so

just like fag can refer to a cigarette. So if I want to act like a homophobic jerk, I suppose I can use that kind of language and lie to myself and others in the process, and if they are especially stupid, they might even believe me.

[Magrittes Pipe]

27. The problem here is the word/usage dichotomy.

If a man calls a woman "trash" based upon some medieval notions of "womanly" behavior; yes, that is sexist. I'm sure we can agree on that point.

All I'm saying is that the word itself is no more than five letters. The context gives it meaning -- sometimes that meaning is sexist, sometimes it is not.

[lukasahero]

29. The word in question is "trashy" not "trash".

Do you often refer to the trash in your trash can as "trashy"?

Trash is used to describe both men and women, usually of the poor white variety. Trashy is not.

Yes, you win on a technicality, I suppose - a word is a word and it is only in it's usage that it acquires any meaning but I think you are deliberately trying to rile people here over something that many have good reason to take umbrage with.

[Magrittes Pipe]

30. I have no desire to rile anybody.

Hell, I get riled by blanket statements that don't take into account context. ;)

I'm just more interested in the linguistics than the demagoguery.

[tjwmason]

10. But mainly because most of us men look a complete and utter mess

All of the time, and so the term becomes redundant.

[Hugin]

19. Yeah, what's the point in describing water as wet?

I mean, really!

[imenja]

21. What?

I'm trying to figure this out. Does the mere fact that someone is male mean they are incapable of looking at culture and language with any kind of critical eye? I don't think so. Gender is no excuse here.

[lukasahero]

8. from www.dictionary.com

trash·y ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trsh)
adj. trash·i·er, trash·i·est
Resembling or containing trash; cheap or worthless
cheap and inferior; of no value;
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone who wants to debate their own meaning of it should at least acknowledge that they are offering a "sexed up" version of the word which has little to do with the common meaning and understanding.

[Hugin]

9. Glad you pointed that out...

Trashy has entered the world of slang usage.

But, I maintain words such as "trashy" are used by women
against other women's reputations more than by men as a
sexist barb to "keep wimmin down".

I've never described a woman as trashy.

[lukasahero]

18. Neither have I nor have any other women I know

It is, however, used to describe women, not (as a rule) men. Therein lies the basis that the word has sexist implications. I don't know about anybody else but I find both men and women can be sexist.