It fell out of favor because insensitive. 2 [no object] Commit an illegal act. But no, the Aussies seem to think it’s their god-given right to insult people. That comes from the same species as “bugger”. The following terms come to mind (begging forgiveness in advance for those reading this who find the terms offensive): How could this be a Frank Henelotter film and not be offensive off the wall? Using offensive language certainly fits definition 1.1. anything … 3. a. someone or something that is incapable of functioning normally. Words That Used to Be Offensive. I can think of a word that conversely when used by African-American’s broadly means friend … utter by any other ethnic group is deemed offensive. My proof that offence must be taken, not given, is that there exists no example of offence existing when it wasn’t taken. But in the modern era, we English speakers created an irregular past tense – dove. 1.1 Be displeasing or cause problems to Your argument seems to be based on definition 1: that a person can choose not to be upset, annoyed or resentful. The ‘grass tree’ is the PC name for the plant that used to be known as a ‘black boy’ (which is apparently properly known as a Xanthorrhoea). The phrase originated in World War I to refer to a soldier who had lost their arms and legs, meaning they had to be literally carried in a basket. Around the same time, there was some discussion about whether there actually were basket cases. Why? I haven’t yet seen any decent argument from you as to why offence is unique in this fashion. Not one example. There’s plenty wrong with the world – no need to go making up more problems than there already are. The popular image about this region a few years ago was that it was a basket case. And we’ll just have to disagree. 1 dated, informal + offensive : a person who has all four limbs amputated. This story has been updated since its original publication. Thanks for the use insteads, cant wait to belt out “Hoorah” at the next birthday party then look at everyone with evil eyes as they “Hip Hip Hooray”. I always remembered it as a dried up camel’s penis though. I’ve unequivocably caught you in unrepentant lies. These sayings only offend people who know these meanings and go out of their way to be offended by it. 1. a state in which your emotions (such as fear) are so strong that you behave in an uncontrolled way eg. “If she is offended, she’s taken offence, if she’s not offended, there *is* no offence.”. The first words of your original response were “Offence cannot be given.” Not “Offence cannot be given without it also being taken.” (Which implies, by the way, that it CAN be given.). But not everything is joyous … Starting in the 1950s, a "basket case" could be a vehicle that has missing parts or is in disrepair. However, you’re cherry-picking here. Our listener Kalen asks: “Why is ‘awesome’ a positive word and ‘awful’ a negative word?”. But blasphemy has a ridiculously rubbery meaning. I was paraphrasing, of course, but I really can’t read that statement any other way. “A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria.”. This is the case that you seem to regard as nonexistent where the thing involved is “offence.” Offence appears to be, in your view, a thing which when taken, is never given. Bugger that uppity gyp, and throw the hooligan in the paddy wagon, it’s as cold as an Eskimo Pie in there – let the hysterical basket case out you say? a person who has had both arms and both legs amputated. If you had not made those statements, she would not be upset – or at least, not AS upset. However, there’s definitely an argument to be made the other way; IMO that’s basically a matter of opinion. You have done something which another person found displeasing. From there, it comes to refer to a country or an organization that's having severe economic difficulties. Obviously. You haven’t bothered to counter that.). Unfortunately the motivation is pretty unlikely to be productive. Now, I actually agree that there are times when offensive speech is desirable. Do you call your female coworkers broads, bitches or some of the even less pleasant terms out there? Someone who gets easily overwhelmed by life is usually referred to as a basket case, but the origin of the word is actually a lot darker. That if it was taken, it was therefore not given. In this case, I think it’s far more likely that “long time no see” is simply a native adoption of a literal translation of a contemporary Chinese greeting; rather than mocking. Wikipedia says it’s called “telephone” in the USA and supplies several other names, but some of the other names would appear to be just as offensive. I’d counter your claim of Aussie god-given rights to insult with one phrase: grass tree. Something that might be argued by professional semanticists, of which I am not one. One that caught our eye is "basket case.". Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. From there, it comes to refer to a country or an organization that's having severe economic difficulties. This seems pretty poorly researched. “My counter-example earlier was the example of insulting one’s own mother.”. … To offend is to attack; to find a term offensive is to feel as if you have been attacked. Synonym: emotional cripple As it was originally used, however, a basket case refers to someone who is useless or not functioning well. Right after the war the conquered nation was considered an economic basket case. Basket Case. 2. anything that is impaired or incapable of functioning. If somebody says something hurtful, we may choose to ignore it, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not upset about it. The film gained an audience in the 1980s due to the advent of home video and has been considered a cult film. However, it’s a pretty clear statement in itself. I know ‘meat wagon’ was originally used for a hearse or an ambulance, stemming from when an actual butcher’s meat wagon was also a thing, but you’d be surprised how many people on forums (and in the comments on certain dictionary websites) did mention the ‘patty wagon’ connection. ", Fair question, though we're not so sure that American idiom has preserved "amongst. Yes. In the mid-1940s, "basket case" is used to refer to an ineffective or powerless person. Nobody’s really sure of the origins – there are as many theories as commentators it seems. In the seventies, the Post Office was regarded as a basket case, doomed to decline by … In World War I, soldiers who lost all four limbs were referred to as basket cases because a … The list in the article is a bit too tenuously linked to origins which might give offence to be really anything to worry about (apart from, maybe, Paddy Wagon, which is quite overtly based on the Irish nickname). Something along similar lines is “bastard,” which due to its high context sensitivity I’ve had to explain very carefully to some non-Aussies. Articles like this just trigger the SQW crowd – why do you post this stuff? The idea is that you can imagine it’s a spear-warrior hiding in a bush. I mean all this hysteria over a few words, some may find offensive. The effects, from Gabe Bartolos, are really well done. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Basket case'? So much so that a listener recently asked if they're related. Basket Case. Learn more. basket case meaning: 1. someone who is extremely nervous or anxious and is therefore unable to organize their life: 2…. Some would say I’m a basket case or a moron when I spaz out. In World War I, soldiers who lost all four limbs were referred to as basket cases because a … Note to self: Must get my research right… and make sure I don’t use examples of what I’m trying to point out as bad in my writing… Oh dear (hopefully dear isn’t one of these words that once meant something oh fensive)…. So please stop doing it. noun Slang. This bulletin was reported on in many U.S. newspapers at the time. You’re offended? In which case, sorry for arguing against what you actually said rather that whatever you THOUGHT you said. There are other terms which are less clear, often because their origin is obscure and the reasons why they are offensive is now obscure. Past tense – dove people really don ’ t hurt… let ’ s a spear-warrior in... By orks ( who are Green ) say or don ’ t offence... 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Been using sure of the examples given here seem a bit of a stretch wants to take thing! Sayings only offend people, hoping to offend certain ethnic groups Green day on any electric..

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