Thoughts on Cambidge

[magnatom]

Not even of anybody from up north ... wandering around with an expression of wonderment on their face?

I know, they had electricity and everything.....

 

[Origamist]

Why?

Cab's use of the world cretin! I thought it would offend you...

 

[magnatom]

Cab's use of the world cretin! I thought it would offend you...

That's what I thought....

 

[Origamist]

That's what I thought....

Eyes rolling, indeed! Where's the consistency?

 

[magnatom]

Eyes rolling, indeed! Where's the consistency?

How's this for consistency....

 

[Cab]

Cab's use of the world cretin! I thought it would offend you...

Why, does Magnatom suffer from cretinism?

 

[Origamist]

Why, does Magnatom suffer from cretinism?

I don't know anything about Magnatom's medical history, do you? What I do know is that the word "retard" offended him but seemingly not "cretin". I wondered why.

Anway, it's OT, so I'll let it lie.

 

[magnatom]

I don't know anything about Magnatom's medical history, do you? What I do know is that the word "retard" offended him but seemingly not "cretin". I wondered why.

Anway, it's OT, so I'll let it lie.

I don't have the energy or the time and to be fair origamist, you are trolling (though to be fair AM was as well but I wanted to clear up any uncertainty in my views).

To clarify, I don't think I have ever used the term cab used and I have little knowledge of the patient group and their feelings about the use of the word as an insult. If people who suffer from cretinism don't have a problem with the use of the term then there isn't really a problem. I don't know if that is the case. That's the whole point origamist, does the word cause insult to the group referred to. If it does, don't use it, IMO.

 

[Origamist]

I don't have the energy or the time and to be fair origamist, you are trolling (though to be fair AM was as well but I wanted to clear up any uncertainty in my views).

To clarify, I don't think I have ever used the term cab used and I have little knowledge of the patient group and their feelings about the use of the word as an insult. If people who suffer from cretinism don't have a problem with the use of the term then there isn't really a problem. I don't know if that is the case. That's the whole point origamist, does the word cause insult to the group referred to. If it does, don't use it, IMO.

I wasn't trolling - merely chiding you for hypocrisy.

Someone at our school suffered (mildly) from the condition and hated the term.

From Wiki:
The term cretin refers to a person so affected, but, like many similar words, such as spastic, idiot, lunatic, retard, etc., it has also been hijacked and become a word of abuse. The term cretin was brought into medical use in the 18th century from an Alpine French dialect prevalent in a region where persons with such a condition were especially common (see below). It was used widely as a medical term in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but in recent decades has spread more widely in popular English as a markedly derogatory term for a person who exhibits stupid behaviour. Because of its pejorative connotations in popular speech, the term has been largely abandoned by physicians and health care workers.

 

[magnatom]

I wasn't trolling - merely chiding you for hypocrisy.

Someone at our school suffered (mildly) from the condition and hated the term.

From Wiki:
The term cretin refers to a person so affected, but, like many similar words, such as spastic, idiot, lunatic, retard, etc., it has also been hijacked and become a word of abuse. The term cretin was brought into medical use in the 18th century from an Alpine French dialect prevalent in a region where persons with such a condition were especially common (see below). It was used widely as a medical term in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but in recent decades has spread more widely in popular English as a markedly derogatory term for a person who exhibits stupid behaviour. Because of its pejorative connotations in popular speech, the term has been largely abandoned by physicians and health care workers.

Well I'm sure cab will think twice about saying it now.
Hypocrite, not me.
Plenty of time to argue with everyone who ever says a word like this, no.

The big difference in the case of Catrikes use of the word and his post, was that it appeared that he was boasting about using it. That's why I felt the need to respond. Is this enough explanation for you Mr Origamist? Can I go now, please?

 

[Cab]

Well I'm sure cab will think twice about saying it now.

Not really

Terms like this exist in shades of grey; because cretinism is now largely eradicated in the developed world (because it can be so readily dealt with) the term really only gets used to describe someone who is stupid. Like 'idiot'. Besides, because the term is used so often negatively (like 'idiot') it isn't usually used in its other 'correct' context, at least thats my understanding.

Now we can either get het up every time someone uses any such term or we can apply context and judgement.

But, if its all the same with you guys, I'd rather just drop it entirely, because that other thread hasn't left me yearning for more of the same, and I can't believe its left anyone else happy and bouncy over the thought of more either. Quits?

 

[magnatom]

Not really

I bet the next time you say it you will think of saying it, you will think of this thread and you will think twice. You might still say it, but you will think twice about it .

Origamist, although he would never admit to it, is trolling so I am more than happy to drop it. He'll probably retort with some big words (he likes doing that) suggesting I have double standards or such like. I could then get into detail about the specifics of different words, etc and waste a whole day doing it. However, I have plenty of other stuff to keep me busy and I can't be ar$ed (I wonder who that might insult).

 

[wafflycat]

I commute through from Cambridge station to Addenbrooke's Hospital. If it's any consolation - yes there are lots of cyclists but unfortunately it doesn't stop drivers being ignorant. In fact, it sometimes makes things worse as some of the Cambridge cyclists ignore every rule of the road and hence annoy drivers - especially bus drivers unfortunately!

Any time I'm cycling *in* Cambridge, I don't have a problem with motorists. I just dislike the usual farcilities of shared use paths and refuse to use them. I have tried using them and *loathe* the way they just *stop* or seem to *disappear* or head off in a direction I don't want to go leaving me on the side of the street I don't want to be.. So I stick to the roads whenever I can. Mind you I do cycle assertively (not aggressively) *in* traffic, so drivers can see me & I'm predictable in road positioning/signalling.

Anyhow, as I said, cycling *in* Cambridge I haven't experienced problems, but what I have found on the times I'm cycling back from Cambridge up to Norfolk is that as soon as I get out of the city 30mph limit, between there & the fens, the drivers appear to have gone into the 'thank god I'm out of the city now I can put my foot down on the accelerator' mode and drive like lunatics, passing too close, too fast.

 

[jezhiggins]

Anyhow, as I said, cycling *in* Cambridge I haven't experienced problems, but what I have found on the times I'm cycling back from Cambridge up to Norfolk is that as soon as I get out of the city 30mph limit, between there & the fens, the drivers appear to have gone into the 'thank god I'm out of the city now I can put my foot down on the accelerator' mode and drive like lunatics, passing too close, too fast.

It's been a few years since I was there, but that was exactly my experience. In Cambridge was fine (except during the summer when hordes of teenagers in backpacks arrive and start pedalling around like so many little mobile chicanes), but the roads in and out it could be quite, erm, exhilarating.

 

[Cab]

You don't have to get all the way out of the city to encounter that; its quite regular for those problems to occur as soon as you're out of the town centre. Milton Road, Arbury Road, Histon Road... Anywhere long and straight.