BBC Article - "Is it OK to jokily call someone 'bipolar'?" - Page 2

PaddyG · #21 10.10.2011, 15:52

	Quote:	Chemmie
	Hahaha, nice try, I'm not going to divulge that information. It seems to be so happily used by all, I'm not going to flood society with more awkwardness in word term use.

Be honest now, it's "cock-jockey", isn't it?

Chemmie · #22 10.10.2011, 15:56

	Quote:	PaddyG
	Be honest now, it's "cock-jockey", isn't it?

Not at all, I take pride in my ability to ride roosters.

NotAllThere · #23 10.10.2011, 16:14

Using mental health language as metaphor is perfectly acceptable. Trying to prevent it seems rather megalomaniac, in the style of King Canute. Saying someone's dress sense is schizophrenic is metaphorical. I've no problem with that. Saying that a shy colleague is autistic is ignorant at best, nasty at worst.

Words don't just mean what the originator decided they do. Once terms such as bipolar enter mainstream vocabulary, they'll acquire other meanings. Deal with it.

Sagitta · #24 10.10.2011, 16:32

	Quote:	NotAllThere
	Using mental health language as metaphor is perfectly acceptable. Trying to prevent it seems rather megalomaniac, in the style of King Canute. Saying someone's dress sense is schizophrenic is metaphorical. I've no problem with that. Saying that a shy colleague is autistic is ignorant at best, nasty at worst. Words don't just mean what the originator decided they do. Once terms such as bipolar enter mainstream vocabulary, they'll acquire other meanings. Deal with it.

Agreed. Censoring the language and everyday usage is just impractical.
However, ever since I actually met some people suffering from schizophrenia, I’ve suddenly started to feel very strange and check myself when using this word, which is quite widespread in its metaphoric use in my language. Somehow it stopped feeling right.