I love this list. I kinda hate that I love this list, but it's wonderfully funny! It reminds me of that country act, Big & Rich. They have the worst songs, and I enjoy them all. :)
The term is not about a sexual act, so the point's moot, but I wanted to mention that again. The act to which these phrases are not referring are not intrinsically homo- or heterosexual.
"Sucks" is very generic - it's fun for everyone! It's also become a common adjective. I don't necessarily associate it with homosexual activities either.
Point taken, thtownse. But the word "sucks" as slang is so commonly used these days that it's probably safe to assume that most people don't have that in mind at all. Moreover, when I first started hearing it used that way, it referred to a sex act, yes--but not necessarily a homosexual one. The dictionaries I've checked bear that out.
I don't ever think of that connotation, if it is a connotation, when I use these phrases. And I don't think that sucking, or blowing, is exclusively a homosexual act. I don't even think that in these phrases it's meant to be sexual, so being "mindful" of the "real meanings" is kind of irrelevant.
You might find very interesting an article recently published in the New Republic. I made a list out of it.
I am not a linguist. I'm someone who likes words. I'm glad you're not recommending censorship, because--as Stephen Lang's character says in "Tombstone," "That don't go 'round here." :) Welcome to Wordie!
These kind of phrases all have a dark side too - they derive from an assumption that homosexual sex is wrong by common agreement. Not that I am recommending that people censor their speech but as linguists we must be mindful of the real meanings of words and phrases, right?
Colorful list CB. I think I'll try one of these on the boss tomorrow: "You know boss, I think your visioning plan blows dead rats." I wonder if that would be an incorrect usage of the term?
/ order added
I love this list. I kinda hate that I love this list, but it's wonderfully funny! It reminds me of that country act, Big & Rich. They have the worst songs, and I enjoy them all. :)
Then lets stop talking about that, shall we? Because it sucks out loud on toast.
I think it was meant to apply to regular old chicken eggs.
I'd be kind of happier about this list if the subtext of sexual acts went away. It was meant to be lighthearted and fun.
Oh well. Can't win 'em all.
And while we're at it--"sucks eggs." Although before now, I never thought about anything but regular old chicken eggs....
Or heterosexual.
The term is not about a sexual act, so the point's moot, but I wanted to mention that again. The act to which these phrases are not referring are not intrinsically homo- or heterosexual.
"Sucks" is very generic - it's fun for everyone! It's also become a common adjective. I don't necessarily associate it with homosexual activities either.
How about "my left one?" As sung by Bikini Kill.
This list sucks out loud on toast with lingonberry butter.
Point taken, thtownse. But the word "sucks" as slang is so commonly used these days that it's probably safe to assume that most people don't have that in mind at all. Moreover, when I first started hearing it used that way, it referred to a sex act, yes--but not necessarily a homosexual one. The dictionaries I've checked bear that out.
The real meaning of a word is a totally different from the etymology, though.
Uhh... ?!
I don't ever think of that connotation, if it is a connotation, when I use these phrases. And I don't think that sucking, or blowing, is exclusively a homosexual act. I don't even think that in these phrases it's meant to be sexual, so being "mindful" of the "real meanings" is kind of irrelevant.
You might find very interesting an article recently published in the New Republic. I made a list out of it.
I am not a linguist. I'm someone who likes words. I'm glad you're not recommending censorship, because--as Stephen Lang's character says in "Tombstone," "That don't go 'round here." :) Welcome to Wordie!
These kind of phrases all have a dark side too - they derive from an assumption that homosexual sex is wrong by common agreement. Not that I am recommending that people censor their speech but as linguists we must be mindful of the real meanings of words and phrases, right?
Thank heavens for usage experts. :->
It does kind of roll off the tongue, so to speak. Anyway, your usage of it is perfect, palooka.
Well, when you do use it at work, don't thank me--thank skipvia. He was the one who opened my eyes to the beauty of that phrase.
Also, I think your usage here is perfect. :)
Colorful list CB. I think I'll try one of these on the boss tomorrow: "You know boss, I think your visioning plan blows dead rats." I wonder if that would be an incorrect usage of the term?