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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...in really hating the term 'scum'?

113 replies

woollyideas · 10/08/2011 08:12

It seems like such an awful and judgmental word and, to me, says more about the person using it than it does about the people it's directed at.

OP posts:
GilbonzoTheSecretPsychoDuck · 10/08/2011 08:13

More often than not, it's used in reference to people who deserved to be judged though.

FreudianSlipper · 10/08/2011 08:15

i agree

especially when they are often referring to children its been used over and over again these last few days

EdithWeston · 10/08/2011 08:22

I used it once or twice yesterday. I don't usually go in for such terms or characterisations.

But nothing else seemed strong enough to describe what has been going on. Extreme terms are sometimes indicated. And yes, I was judging that pack for that night spent in random theft, arson and looting.

moonstorm · 10/08/2011 08:27

What Edith said.

I think you have to live in an area (as a law abiding person) to see what they can really be like. Suffer and have your life ruined by them. Watch them have all the worldy goods while you are struggling to make ends meet. Then you might like the term.

I realise that's a generalisation, but there realy is an underclass and you have to experience it to understand.

OracleInaCoracle · 10/08/2011 08:27

I use it. It is what it is and conveys a level of brainlessness and twattery that is appropriate.

OracleInaCoracle · 10/08/2011 08:27

I use it. It is what it is and conveys a level of brainlessness and twattery that is appropriate.

ChumleeIsMyHomeboy · 10/08/2011 08:33

This unwillingness to call a scummy spade exactly that is at least in part why we are in this Godawful mess.

And I agree completely with lissielou

TrillianAstra · 10/08/2011 08:39

If you keep your toothbrushes in a mug you get stuff at the bottom of the mug (no matter how well you rinse them).

What better word is there for it than scum?

Someone on Twitter suggested "goop" (like Gwyneth Paltrow's website) but to me goop is more viscous.

ZZZenAgain · 10/08/2011 08:40

it doesn't bother me really

Original poster
woollyideas · 10/08/2011 08:40

Really Chumlee? So if we'd all been more willing to stick labels on people the world would be a better place?

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 10/08/2011 08:41

or residue trillian

LoveBeingAtHomeOnMyOwn · 10/08/2011 08:41

Yabu some people are scum, but when over used it turns into what you've said.

OracleInaCoracle · 10/08/2011 08:46

I always think of scum as a form of single organism. There, but incapable of feelings or thought.

Appropriate imo. And I'm as lefty liberal as they come, but there are some people that can't helped with a cup of herbal tea and a rendition of kumbyah.

CamperFan · 10/08/2011 08:47

YABU - what do you suggest they are called instead?

ChumleeIsMyHomeboy · 10/08/2011 08:50

Exactly camper - just what should they be called instead? Norty norty boys? Come on ffs. Scum is what they are and that's the end of the matter.

CheerfulYank · 10/08/2011 08:52

What lissielou said.

The riots we had in L.A. almost 20 years ago were horrible and what happened to set them off (Rodney King's beating) was horrible too. And I do think society has failed at some point, etc ,etc.

But, in the L.A. riots for example, the men who dragged Reginald Denny from his work truck and beat and kicked him almost to death, including pitching concrete blocks at his head, all the while laughing and flashing gang signs, were despicable fucking evil scum .

squeakytoy · 10/08/2011 08:57

Scum... yup, good word to describe the behaviour of people who are ruining the lives of so many who have worked hard and watched their livelihoods smashed into pieces.

People who pretend to be helping an injured boy, then rob him as he stands there bleeding... scum.

People who throw rocks and bricks at others, people who set building alight just for the hell of it, not caring if innocent people are at risk of dying inside the building.... scum.

What should we call them.. "poor disadvantaged members of society"... fuck that, they arent fit to be part of society.

Original poster
woollyideas · 10/08/2011 08:58

The word isn't specifically used in relation to the rioters though. I've noticed the word being applied to benefit claimants, prisoners, people who live in particular areas... all sorts of people really.

OP posts:
pigletmania · 10/08/2011 08:59

Er that's why that tren is used to describe perpetrators who wrecked peoples lives and cause devastation, not a nice term for not nice people

elmofan · 10/08/2011 09:01

Sorry but some times you just have to call a spade,
A spade. Or in this case scum.

CheerfulYank · 10/08/2011 09:01

One of my fb friends (who is as American as I am) is going on and onnnnn about it being a symptom of civil unrest. Oh, well that's ok then. Hmm

CamperFan · 10/08/2011 09:01

That's surely a different issue, woolly?

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 10/08/2011 09:05

YABU. When being used in reference to what's been going on the last few days I can't think of a better word than scum. They have been called animals Confused but imo that's an insult to the animal world- animals don't treat their own kind this way, nor do they mindlessly destroy property for the sake of it (as far as I know- I'm no David Attenborough).

The scum that have destroyed homes and livelihoods deserve every bad word that comes their way. Shock that anyone would be concerned about the names that arsonists, thieves, armed robbers etc get called.

Original poster
woollyideas · 10/08/2011 09:08

What do you mean, a dfferent issue, CamperFan? My objection to the word is the way it is used as a label to stick on anyone you (generic 'you' not you, Camper) disapprove of. I think it's fine to describe people's actions as anti-social, or violent, or whatever, and it's fine to condemn their actions, but I just don't think it helps to dish out labels like 'scum'. Yesterday, I heard someone in my local high street describe the Big Issue seller as 'scum'. Not nice.

OP posts:
OnEdge · 10/08/2011 09:09

Are you worried about labelling rioters WOOLLY

If they get labelled SCUM they will become SCUM ?

And begin behaving accordingly ? In a self fulfilling way ?