Since when is buffy an insulting term???

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by Syzygys, Feb 17, 2010.

  1. Syzygys As a mother, I am telling you Valued Senior Member

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    According to String, shortening Buffalo's name into Buffy makes it an insulting term and punishable by a warning and more.

    I was not aware that the word buffy is an insulting term. It is a common way to shorten longer names that you cut off the lengthy end of it and put an "y" to the end. Like Syz or Syzy in my case.

    I don't get offended if one calls me Syzy, that is the acceptable norm of shortening a name. So what gives with Buffy?

    The only famous usage for Buffy is the TV character who is sexy and lovable. So I am trying hard to understand the offensive part, but I don't see any. I think we all use it in kind, at least I did.

    Maybe a linguist can point me in the right direction where I can read about buffy meaning an illogical and dull person, but until that, can we stop the childish overmoderation???

    The correct insulting word would be bufon:

    bufon m (plural bufoni; feminine equivalent bufonă)
    A fool; a type of comic, similar to a court jester.
     
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  3. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    It may not be the word "buffy" per se, but the act of shortening the name without prior consent - which can be regarded as disrespectful (and thus insulting).
     
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  5. Ophiolite Valued Senior Member

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    Was the context in which you used the contraction implicitly, or explicitly, aggressive. If so then the contraction was offensive by association. If the aggression were sufficient strong or persistent, then the warning would be arguably valid,

    Out of context I can see nothing offensive at all. I am routinely addressed as Ohpi, or Oph. (Anyone wishing to be explicitly offensive couls imply call me Oaf.) However, since it is fariy well established that the moderation on this forum is about as bad as it gets, are you surprised?
     
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  7. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    So now Buffalo is a name? Do you see the irony of someone called Buffalo objecting to being called Buffy?

    Are Buffaloes allowed to be insulted at being misrepresented?
     
  8. sandy Banned Banned

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    Oh, for fck's sake. WTF? So now giving someone an affectionate nickname is cause for a warning? I have called him "Buffy" since I first got here and he never objected. I call Spidergoat "Spidey" and some other people other nicknames. This is getting ridiculous.
     
  9. PsychoTropicPuppy Bittersweet life? Valued Senior Member

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    It's the adult world.
     
  10. sandy Banned Banned

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    Oh, yeah, I must have missed the memo. All the personal attacks, name-calling and bs drama. Real adult.
     
  11. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    When string gave me the "don't call him Buffy memo" [it was in the mod forum in the Moslem/Muslim thread so I cannot link to it], I was told that Buffalo complained about it. I assume that if anyone complains, it is considered an offense.
     
  12. sandy Banned Banned

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    Hmm. Ok.
     
  13. PsychoTropicPuppy Bittersweet life? Valued Senior Member

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    You just managed to perfectly describe the adult world.
     
  14. Ophiolite Valued Senior Member

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    I thought it was mandatory to be offensive to Buffalo. When did that change? I missed that memo too.
     
  15. Syzygys As a mother, I am telling you Valued Senior Member

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    That is true, but I am not going to ask everyone for nickname preference. Also if you ever went to high school, nicknames are given not choosen....

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    The whole point is that he thinks of it as insulting term, although no offence was meant. Believe me, you will notice when I am insulting...
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2010
  16. PieAreSquared Woo is resistant to reason Registered Senior Member

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    Ironic when I get called Pie and that's ok

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    like I'm being referred to as a piece of pussy..:shrug:
     
  17. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    * * * * NOTE FROM THE MODERATOR * * * *

    I cannot answer this question so I have taken it up with the other Moderators on our super-secret private subforum. Perhaps there are subtleties that String did not explain clearly.

    In the meantime, I have locked this thread. Please be patient. I'll get back to you as soon as I have an answer.

    --F.R.
     
  18. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    * * * * NOTE FROM THE MODERATOR * * * *

    The Administrators have upheld String's ruling. (Fortunately he doesn't object to being called String.) I disagree with this new policy because it will have a chilling effect on the membership, most of whom are anglophones. The Admins are telling us we have to change the rules of the English language (something even the Queen can't do) in order to accommodate every whiner, wimp and wussie who chose a screen name that happens to form a nickname he doesn't like--because he didn't have the foresight to realize it!

    In the future, if you use the normal, instinctive facililty of the English language to form a nickname to facilitate addressing a member, and he claims that he is "offended" by it, you will be required to stop using it. If you use it again and the member complains again, you'll receive a warning.

    Sorry!

    Please register your complaints here, and I will be sure to forward them to the Admins. Obviously they must be serious, respectful and well-reasoned.
     
  19. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    There is an interesting book called "The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle"

    sciforums is like the application based on it.
     
  20. BenTheMan Dr. of Physics, Prof. of Love Valued Senior Member

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    Well, it's all in the context, right?

    Changing someone's name with the intent of insulting them is a bit asinine, right?

    For example, there was a debate some months ago about ``Muslim'' vs. ``Moslem'', ``Jews'' vs. ``Joos''; Asguard regularly gets ``Assguard'', and pjdude was whining about ``pjfood'' a few weeks ago. The same rules seem to apply to this situation.

    Anyway, it seems to me that if someone alters your name for some reason other than a typo, with the intent of insulting or demeaning you in some way, there should be a warning issued, given the Assguard precedent.

    Such behavior is pretty childish, no? Do you not agree?
     
  21. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    What is demeaning about Buffy?
     
  22. sifreak21 Valued Senior Member

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    sorry fraggle but if someone called buffalo buffy and he got mad you need to tell him to sack up my name is sifreak if someone just stared calling me freak im ok with that, if you make a username and get offended if someone cuts off the last half and ads a letter they
    1 they shouldnt have used that name
    2 they need to sack up and take it or create a new username

    and ben if someone shortens your name or if i shorten someones name its cuz i dont want to type it all out @#%@@ sorry just shortned your name im sorry correction BenTheMan
     
  23. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Maybe he should change his name to something that is short and inoffensive.
     

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