Misuse of sensitive words, How do you feel about it?

Sibylla

Ladies I wanted to get some feedback and thoughts, I've recently noticed on facebook and here on boards the large volume of people using words like rape in relation to everything. e.g. I raped his facebook, I just raped a cake.
Personally I find this really disturbing and disrespectful, having known women who went through traumatic experiences and I know many of them find it deeply upsetting. So for those of you who use it in that manner why and do you ever think of the actual meaning? For those of you who don't what do you think about it and if any mods reply is it difficult to moderate and do you feel comfortable with that type of language on your forums? Posted it in the ladies lounge to get a more sensitive approach.

Ickle Magoo

I don't find it disturbing but baring in mind there must be 50 synonyms, why you'd want to use that particular choice of words to describe eating a cake or whatever is beyond me, especially since you never know what other people have been through in their lives.

It's become fashionable to be deliberately making a statement and being provocative by using the term rape to describe mundane tasks but it just comes across, to me at least, as rather tasteless and thoughtless, even if it is a valid dictionary definition.

Sibylla

I completely agree it has suddenly become fashionable to make a statement in this manner. I just googled the definition and how people can find it to be an appropriate means of describing daily events/chores is beyond me.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rape

1 The unlawful compelling of a woman through physical force of duress to have sexual intercourse.
2 Any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.
3 Statutory rape
4 An act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation, violation the rape of the countryside.
5 Archaic the act of seizing and carrying off by force.

Despite it being a valid definition we are fully aware of the meaning of rape in society.
Interesting post Ickle Magoo.

The_Morrigan

I understand your concern with regards to the flippant use of the word, but it happens. Unfortunately we have to deal with words going in and out of fashion when regards to slang, name calling, racial or religious slurs etc

I saw a thread in PI a few days ago in relation to the use of the word retard/retarded. It was used in a factual basis rather than derogatory and someone took offence to its use and there were very mixed reviews to that issue.
Historically we would have seen terms like "n1gger" used legitimately whereas now it is predominantly a put down. We would never think that the word "boy" would have negative connotations but depending on the sentence it could belittle a person.
I come across the term "illegitimate child" & "bastard" a lot in college, they are legal terms and must be used properly in assignments, I can't avoid them, but that doesn't mean I will use them in a negative sense towards another.

Personally I don't think we should be curtailing the use of specific words in our language because of the negative connotations they may represent - A word means nothing without context.


apologies for the bad language in the text mods

Links234

I don't like it at all. it's incredibly ignorant

baby and crumble

Everyone uses words that have changed from their original meanings for things these days, I think it comes from a lack of originality and not wanting to be the ones who 'put the dampner' on things.

I HATE the term 'rape' unless it's used in the current meaning. but if you look at the original meaning of it, "to seize by force", it didn't actually mean in a sexualised way. It could be argued that actually this usage in the OP's post i actually bringing it back to it's original form.

I don't really believe this, I'm just saying it could be argued. I mean, millions of people don't have a problem with saying something is 'retarded', or using it as a synonym for being drunk or stupid. We all know that the main meaning in our consciousness is that retarded comes from having intellectual or learning disabilities. To use it in another way is a bit offensive (actually A LOT offensive) but people don't see that, because it's a term that's weirdly in vogue.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that people are sheep. If one person uses a word in a certain way, then more people will, then the person who object gets shot down with "oh come on, i didn't mean it like THAT don't be such an annoying feminist/politically correct/whatever. You're so boring!"

That said, if someone uses the word 'retarded' around me I ask them why they're using that word, and whether they would if someone with a disability was present. Most of them get flustered and say 'of course not'. I follow that with "well why is it ok when they're not around? Clearly you knw it's offensive?" and leave it at that. Maybe the same tack could be used with people who use 'rape' in such a way?

diddlybit

Really detest people using the term rape as hyperbole.

zoegh wrote: »

That said, if someone uses the word 'retarded' around me I ask them why they're using that word, and whether they would if someone with a disability was present. Most of them get flustered and say 'of course not'. I follow that with "well why is it ok when they're not around? Clearly you knw it's offensive?" and leave it at that. Maybe the same tack could be used with people who use 'rape' in such a way?

This would make people so uncomfortable and is proabably a good way to point out to them out offensive it is. However, I would be reluctant to call anyone out in this form, unless I was 100% certain that noone there had experieneced any form of sexual assault. But I couldn't be.

Have a suspicion that some people would defend their usuage of the term (because lets face it, some people are idiots) in the same way, they defend their usage of the term "gay": "He loike totally Faceraped my profile, it was so gay."

Lia_lia

Really? I personally think you are overreacting. Somebody told me to be careful using the word "rape" here too a while back.

It is commonly used these days. It's a word. There are many other words that people could say that would be triggering due to other personal reasons. We can't hold back on everything due to personal issues. I am moderator on a popular forum (outside of boards) that deals with very personal issues (rape being one of them) and nobody has EVER brought up this kinda thing! And people do use the word!

Surely if the person is using the word "rape" in a different context, and that it is quite obviously being used in a different context, then it's surely okay?

Nervous Wreck

The_Morrigan wrote: »

Personally I don't think we should be curtailing the use of specific words in our language because of the negative connotations they may represent - A word means nothing without context.

Some words have an indelible context ingrained in their history.

Sibylla

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Some words have an indelible context ingrained in their history.

Exactly.

I understand the variation of opinions but knowing the meaning of the word in society why use it, when there are multiple choices why choose a word that many people reading will associate with rape in a negative context not to mention how some people who have experienced this will feel.

Ickle Magoo

Lia_lia wrote: »

It is commonly used these days.

It's really not - outside specific age-groups/demographics.

Lia_lia

Okay, within my age group/online/in Ireland it is used.

Poor Craythur

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Some words have an indelible context ingrained in their history.

Yup, true.

WindSock

diddlybit wrote: »

(because lets face it, some people are idiots) in the same way, they defend their usage of the term "gay": "He loike totally Faceraped my profile, it was so gay."

Idiots, now there is a perfect example of a word that meant something completely different in the past but has changed through time with common useage. I look at the words retard and gay the same. Words and meanings change and become diluted because of their initial percieved offence and people using them to rouse a reaction, then they become increasingly more common and then used everyday for other things.

I think when a word gets to this stage of common useage, you can carry on being offended by it or accept that the meaning has changed and has no impact like it did in the past.

As for the word rape, I don't think the act or the idea of it will ever be viewed as any less horrific because people have applied other meanings to a word.

If that is the case, then there will surely be another word or collection of words to take its place.

Poor Craythur

Simon Amstell on the newest, fashionable usage on the word gay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSD7jb-7x4

It might be a joke but I think he makes a good point actually.

diddlybit

WindSock wrote: »

Idiots, now there is a perfect example of a word that meant something completely different in the past but has changed through time with common useage. I look at the words retard and gay the same. Words and meanings change and become diluted because of their initial percieved offence and people using them to rouse a reaction, then they become increasingly more common and then used everyday for other things.

That's a very good point. But the word idiot is still a lot less loaded than the terms gay and retard. It has been diluted to the point of inanity. I'm not sure there is much of a difference between "perceived offence" and the actual act of offending someone. Though two people may differ on the usage of these terms, we could explain by means of slippery semantics, and yet their usage can still cause hurt and distress to people.

In regards to gay, it hasn't been diluted, in fact it is grwing increasingly negative. It started off as meaning happy or merry, became a synomon for homosexual and in the last few years has evolevd to be the equivalent of sh*te. But call me an over-sensitive queer. :P

WindSock wrote: »

As for the word rape, I don't think the act or the idea of it will ever be viewed as any less horrific because people have applied other meanings to a word.

Hopefully not.

mahamageehad

is this about the use of the word rape regarding facebook???
First of all, most people in my age group use "frape".
Second of all I take no offense to the use of the word in this context.
I understand the word rape to mean taken against will. Which is kind of what this is.

I use the phrase "absolutely raped my pockets" to indicate being ripped off. Does that make me "incredibly ignorant"? No I don't think so. It's clearly used to illustrate a point in a different context. And I've never had anyone take offense to it yet.

Would I use that phrase around someone that I know has experienced rape? No of course I wouldn't. Does that make me a hypocrite?? No! We always censor ourselves when talking about people affected by an issue. Would you discuss baby names with someone who just lost a child? No of course you wouldn't, but it wouldn't be an offensive topic of conversation to anyone else.

People are way too quick to take offense to everything these days, and I for one am not going to triple check everything I say to make sure that it doesn't cause offense to someone somewhere on this planet.

Poor Craythur

mahamageehad wrote: »

is this about the use of the word rape regarding facebook???
First of all, most people in my age group use "frape".
Second of all I take no offense to the use of the word in this context.
I understand the word rape to mean taken against will. Which is kind of what this is.

I use the phrase "absolutely raped my pockets" to indicate being ripped off. Does that make me "incredibly ignorant"? No I don't think so. It's clearly used to illustrate a point in a different context. And I've never had anyone take offense to it yet.

Would I use that phrase around someone that I know has experienced rape? No of course I wouldn't. Does that make me a hypocrite?? No! We always censor ourselves when talking about people affected by an issue. Would you discuss baby names with someone who just lost a child? No of course you wouldn't, but it wouldn't be an offensive topic of conversation to anyone else.

People are way too quick to take offense to everything these days, and I for one am not going to triple check everything I say to make sure that it doesn't cause offense to someone somewhere on this planet.

Right, but I'm sure you can accept that there are some no go words, such as the N word?

Sibylla

mahamageehad wrote: »

is this about the use of the word rape regarding facebook???
First of all, most people in my age group use "frape".
Second of all I take no offense to the use of the word in this context.
I understand the word rape to mean taken against will. Which is kind of what this is.

I use the phrase "absolutely raped my pockets" to indicate being ripped off. Does that make me "incredibly ignorant"? No I don't think so. It's clearly used to illustrate a point in a different context. And I've never had anyone take offense to it yet.

Would I use that phrase around someone that I know has experienced rape? No of course I wouldn't. Does that make me a hypocrite?? No! We always censor ourselves when talking about people affected by an issue. Would you discuss baby names with someone who just lost a child? No of course you wouldn't, but it wouldn't be an offensive topic of conversation to anyone else.

People are way too quick to take offense to everything these days, and I for one am not going to triple check everything I say to make sure that it doesn't cause offense to someone somewhere on this planet.

No it is not about facebook, I was giving an example, I hear it quite frequently lately at college and online. From my experience I haven't heard an over 30 person say it, I wonder is it immaturity and not realising the impact this word can have on people.

Logical Fallacy

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Right, but I'm sure you can accept that there are some no go words, such as the N word?

Well that is not quite the same. As point out, "rape" has a specific meaning that includes, but is not limited to, a violent sex act. "******" has only one meaning in modern society.

BUT, there was time when it kind of didn't. Check out the below, i honestly can't get over how weird that is now, but how normal it apparently was in 1939. It's not that it wasn't racist back then...it just that being racist wasn't a problem, so offending someone didn't matter.

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/yosha/se/jpgcov/Christie_1939_ten_little_****_collins_1939.jpg

Poor Craythur

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Well that is not quite the same. As point out, "rape" has a specific meaning that includes, but is not limited to, a violent sex act. "******" has only one meaning in modern society.

BUT, there was time when it kind of didn't. Check out the below, i honestly can't get over how weird that is now, but how normal it apparently was in 1939. It's not that it wasn't racist back then...it just that being racist wasn't a problem, so offending someone didn't matter.

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/yosha/se/jpgcov/Christie_1939_ten_little_****_collins_1939.jpg

My point was that there ARE words that are off-limits, no matter what people might say about freedom of speech.

Ickle Magoo

Perhaps its just the start of the evolution of the word rape in popular usage, though?

I accept there appears to be a degree of internet meme creation driving some of the word choices being pushed at the moment but on the other hand, no-one would think twice if I was to say I could murder a sandwich, it doesn't lessen the crime and I would hope very few would get offended.

Fascinating subject, linguistics. :cool:

Logical Fallacy

Poor Craythur wrote: »

My point was that there ARE words that are off-limits, no matter what people might say about freedom of speech.

But they are not off limits, you are completely entitled to say what you like, there may just be social backlash.

However, the simple fact is that this same social backlash is also covered by that same freedom of speech.

It's endless really.

Poor Craythur

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

But they are not off limits, you are completely entitled to say what you like, there may just be social backlash.

Right, so you can't say them carelessly, or get indignant when someone chides you for using them.

The above word I mentioned is off-limits unless being socially ostracised is your bag.

Logical Fallacy

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Right, so you can't say them carelessly, or get indignant when someone chides you for using them.

Bingo, it's a case of know your audience i suppose.

Poor Craythur

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Bingo, it's a case of know your audience i suppose.

See my edit.

krudler

Rape means to take by force, doesnt always mean sexually, I doubt anyone would assume someone sexually assaulted a cake (aside from that american pie guy). I hear it all the time playing games online "we raped the other team" doesnt mean we ACTUALLY raped the other team, but that they got hammered. Is it overused lately? probably, but it doesnt take anything away from the seriousness of the physical act of rape.

a centruy or so ago if you called someone a "******" they'd probably be puzzled as to why you were inferring they were a bundle of sticks, which is what ****** originally meant, now it means something negative and is pretty much the worst insult you can give a gay person (unless you're gay, in which case feel free to throw it around like gay people I know when referring to other gay people, which is stupid tbh)

matrim

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Right, but I'm sure you can accept that there are some no go words, such as the N word?

But the meaning of the N word has changed depending on the context of who's saying it e.g. rap music. So it isn't completly off limits for everyone

pow wow

On the basis that in common understanding it is a word to describe taking against will in a sexual context (I'm pretty sure if you polled Mr/Ms 'Average' as to what the word meant there'd be a sexual element in most responses) I do find it slightly unsettling that it's the current word of choice to describe the things mentioned earlier. I don't know if I'd say I found it disturbing as such, but I do think there are a hundred other words people could use but choose not to.

Scanlas The 2nd

I could murder a cup of coffee right about now.

Surely that's as least as bad.

LittleBook

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I could murder a cup of coffee right about now.

Surely that's as least as bad.

It's very unlikely you would be saying that in front of someone who's actually been murdered. However, it's possible that you could describe being raped by the banks to someone who has physically been raped.

Is there anyone who doesn't think of the sexual context of the word "rape" when they hear/read it?

flowerchild

Words and phrases used are revealing. Sometimes the attitudes and (lack of) sensitivities revealed are disturbing, but that can be useful to let others know who/what they are dealing with.

'I could murder a cup of coffee right now' might be used by someone who did murder in the past and whose boundaries re the language has been affected accordingly. Or could be used by someone who is just using hyperbole for affect. Who knows? But the fact that it is said, as with the language of 'rape', or the term 'lady' all gives others a picture of the speaker/writer, one which may be different from that which they want to project.

I wouldn't ban the terms. I'd simply want people to know that every nanosecond counts, in a way they may not realise at the time.

krudler

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I could murder a cup of coffee right about now.

Surely that's as least as bad.

Perfect example of a horrible act that people will use the word for without worrying they're diluting the effect of the word for those that have had it happen to them.

"my parents are going to kill me for being late again" This will surely offend anyone who equates parental killing with sharia law or honour killing, best stop using it so lightly.

Its ok to use a word that implies murder lightly, but not rape? bit of a double standard no? and anyone who says "I've never said kill/murder in that way", shenanigans, you have.

cdaly_

Lia_lia wrote: »

Really? I personally think you are overreacting. Somebody told me to be careful using the word "rape" here too a while back.

ISTR your usage in that case was in a sexual context. Something like suggesting you expected to be raped and were looking forward to it (or not planning to avoid it).

I think that was the trigger for me. I've seen the usage of the word in other contexts and, while I don't think it appropriate, I found your particular usage upsetting in that it suggests something that is often used as 'justification' for rape "oh she really wanted it".

I'm not blaming you. As you say, it's fairly common usage in your age group...

cdaly_

LittleBook wrote: »

It's very unlikely you would be saying that in front of someone who's actually been murdered. However, it's possible that you could describe being raped by the banks to someone who has physically been raped

I have to say, that's the closest I've come to having an idea of how it must feel to be raped. The feeling of violation, powerlessness and utter outrage. And yes, I can see how my thinking that must seem trivial/outrageous to a real rape victim.

mikemac

Like the fourth post, I did a law course at night and bastard and illegitimate child are terms used and have legal meanings.

But if I used them in this forum or most anywhere on boards I'd be flamed alive :eek:
I wouldn't anyway but I know the reaction I'd get

I wouldn't tend to use rape but maybe in a sports context, like that speedy footballer raped his slow opponent.


Which reminds me of RTÉ and the followup apology.
Honestly no offence was intended, was a apology realy neccesary?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYg3hJdq96I

LittleBook

cdaly_ wrote: »

As you say, it's fairly common usage in your age group...

My teenage daughter and her friends use the term "face-rape" from time to time. I get that it means nothing to her but it makes me wince a little when I hear it.

It's not that the use of the word offends me as such, it's simply that when I hear it I think of sexual rape.

I guess in time it will have less impact in the same way as "I'd kill for a drink right now" wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

I learned the word búgger before I knew what it literally meant and I'm in two minds about that one.

Like "rape", it's actually used to describe a criminal act and has been used a lot in the past years in the (print) media in the context of the church abuses amongst other situations.

But many times growing up I called my friends búggers, almost as a term of endearment.

Wibbs

flowerchild wrote: »

Words and phrases used are revealing.

I'd say the attention an individual places on words is the revealing part. EG I'd say murder/buggered/fúcked on a daily basis. Do I mean unlawful killing/anal intercourse/sexual intercourse? No(or very very rarely). I don't use rape out of its context, or again rarely. Like Lia Lia pointed out that's an age things. Ditto for the use of "gay". I do think some are overly sensitive. I will allow for such people of course, but TBH in doing so usually think less of them.

LittleBook

cdaly_ wrote: »

And yes, I can see how my thinking that must seem trivial/outrageous to a real rape victim.

Just regarding my post ... I hope I didn't come across as judgemental. My point there is that in my mind the risk of offending someone is greater in the context of "rape" than "murder".

Krudler's point that using the words "murder" and "kill" risks offending people also is perfectly correct. However the risk of accidentally offending someone in the context he describes is minimal, for me anyway.

As Wibbs said, what the word (any word!) used means to the person hearing it is the key.

I've never been raped so I wouldn't be offended if someone used the word in a trivial context.

But I've had it drummed into me for the better part of 30 years that "rape" is a Very Bad Thing, the "worst thing that could happen to a girl/woman", a "fate worse than death", etc. etc. which is where the wince comes from.

krudler

LittleBook wrote: »

Just regarding my post ... I hope I didn't come across as judgemental. My point there is that in my mind the risk of offending someone is greater in the context of "rape" than "murder".

Krudler's point that using the words "murder" and "kill" risks offending people also is perfectly correct. However the risk of accidentally offending someone in the context he describes is minimal, for me anyway.

As Wibbs said, what the word (any word!) used means to the person hearing it is the key.

I've never been raped so I wouldn't be offended if someone used the word in a trivial context.

But I've had it drummed into me for the better part of 30 years that "rape" is a Very Bad Thing, the "worst thing that could happen to a girl/woman", a "fate worse than death", etc. etc. which is where the wince comes from.

I know more people that have been murdered than raped.

Ectoplasm

Tbh, the use/misuse of the word rape doesn't offend me personally but I'll confess it does bug me, same as the misuse of the word gay. The reason it bugs me though is pretty trivial - it's just so bloody lazy most of the time!

I know different words have always been popular within groups etc. but these days, (man, I sound ancient here) words and phrases gain a life of their own online, become memes and you end up hearing the same phrases, not just within an area or particular group of friends, but all over the place - which is just unbelievably boring.

Sorry...veered a little OT. I can see why someone might be upset at the apparent trivialisation of something that is very serious but the reality is you can not police peoples vocabulary. If it offends you and you hear a friends saying it, let them know - I'm sure they'd be happy to find an alternative. If it's a total stranger, well, they're a total stranger and life is too short to worry about them.

The_Morrigan

LittleBook wrote: »

Just regarding my post ... I hope I didn't come across as judgemental. My point there is that in my mind the risk of offending someone is greater in the context of "rape" than "murder".

Krudler's point that using the words "murder" and "kill" risks offending people also is perfectly correct. However the risk of accidentally offending someone in the context he describes is minimal, for me anyway.

As Wibbs said, what the word (any word!) used means to the person hearing it is the key.

I've never been raped so I wouldn't be offended if someone used the word in a trivial context.

But I've had it drummed into me for the better part of 30 years that "rape" is a Very Bad Thing, the "worst thing that could happen to a girl/woman", a "fate worse than death", etc. etc. which is where the wince comes from.

That should be the worst thing that could happen a person - not just a female!

LittleBook

The_Morrigan wrote: »

That should be the worst thing that could happen a person - not just a female!

For me that goes without saying.

I actually thought about putting up an asterisk and a clarification ... but since I was clearly specifically talking about how I was raised, even to the point of putting the phrase in inverted commas as it was the exact phrase that was said to me, I thought it was unnecessary.

pow wow

krudler wrote: »

I know more people that have been murdered than raped.

You only 'know' that because a murder victim has no say in the publicity of what happened to them. Much as it might shock you, rape victims don't always tell people about it.

forensic

I remember watching Oprah interview Jay Z, and she pulled him up on his use of the N word in his music, his reply was that he felt he was giving the word power by not saying it, and that by saying it and using it himself he was taking away its power.

She admitted that she is of a different generation to him and that she still remembers the original context of the word and how it was meant to hurt and humiliate. So basically the two of them agreed to disagree and moved on to other things.

Still though, what person/white person/not black person would walk up to Jay Z and use that word? In any context?

It's about context, it's about respecting your fellow human being, it's about thinking before you speak and maybe increasing your own vocabulary so you don't need to use a potentially hurtful/harmful/upsetting word.

I'll be honest, the only place I've ever noticed the word rape being used in a strange way (regarding cake for instance) has been here on Boards, and I was more confused than anything when I read it. I figured it was some weird typo or predictive text mix up if the poster was posting from their phone!

Maybe it's a generational thing? I'm in my 30's and it would just never occur to me to use the word in that sense. It also would never occur to me to say "Oh that's so gay" or "that's so retarded" or " you should see the colour of her after her holidays, she's black!"

Anyway, all just my opinion and all that Interesting thread though

krudler

pow wow wrote: »

You only 'know' that because a murder victim has no say in the publicity of what happened to them. Much as it might shock you, rape victims don't always tell people about it.

good point, ok that I know of personally whos ever said it, I dont know anyone who was raped.

Lucyfur

I don't like it but I try to let it slide as it's so commonly used.


I was awarded a travel pass a few years ago, as I have a child with special needs. A friend of a friend referred to it as a ''retard pass''. Naturally, I don't have any time for said girl and I still get annoyed when I see her.

flowerchild

krudler wrote: »

good point, ok that I know of personally whos ever said it, I dont know anyone who was raped.

Perhaps you do, and you just don't know. It's a very common experience, for women.

Scanlas The 2nd

LittleBook wrote: »

Just regarding my post ... I hope I didn't come across as judgemental. My point there is that in my mind the risk of offending someone is greater in the context of "rape" than "murder".

Krudler's point that using the words "murder" and "kill" risks offending people also is perfectly correct. However the risk of accidentally offending someone in the context he describes is minimal, for me anyway.

As Wibbs said, what the word (any word!) used means to the person hearing it is the key.

I've never been raped so I wouldn't be offended if someone used the word in a trivial context.

But I've had it drummed into me for the better part of 30 years that "rape" is a Very Bad Thing, the "worst thing that could happen to a girl/woman", a "fate worse than death", etc. etc. which is where the wince comes from.

I think we would all have to agree that torture is the worst possible thing that can happen anyone. Yet it doesn't seem to bother anyone if someone says " sitting through that lecture was torture".

For me being raped would be a stroll in the park compared to torture( the type you see in the Saw movies)

There is something else going on that makes "rape" such an emotive word. I just don't know what it is. Have to have a think about that one.

Wibbs

flowerchild wrote: »

Perhaps you do, and you just don't know. It's a very common experience, for women.

The first part of your sentence I agree with, but the second, "very common", I'm sorry that's needlessly dramatic IMHO.

metrovelvet

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I think we would all have to agree that torture is the worst possible thing that can happen anyone. Yet it doesn't seem to bother anyone if someone says " sitting through that lecture was torture".

For me being raped would be a stroll in the park compared to torture( the type you see in the Saw movies)

There is something else going on that makes "rape" such an emotive word. I just don't know what it is. Have to have a think about that one.

Because its a sexual assault term. Its ugly.

When rapeseed oil in the US changed its name to Canola sales went up remarkably.