Using the word Rape

[Windywuss]

Aibu...to flinch when people use the word rape in contexts other than sexual assault? We've got an ongoing campaign in my area about over development of green belt and the loss of natural habit. I'm on the side of the people wanting to protect nature... (Not getting into a housing debate here ).

Some people...well, men in fact keep referring to the rape of the countryside. I hate it. It's such an emotive word and hetro men rarely experience actual rape. It really jars.

I also hate the use of porn ..food porn, property porn etc. But that's not as bad for me, I just don't like it.

Anyone feel the same?

It's used for shock value but women who've experienced rape probably don't use it as flippantly.

Yes, I also find it a hard word to stomach in any other context, than an assault. I word never use it in such a way and can’t help judging others that do.

Thank you for copying and pasting part of your dictionary for me. But I think we all know the accepted meanings of words change. So in much the same way I probably wouldn't say a little boy was very gay and expect everyone to know I meant he was a cheery soul, I wouldn't use holocaust to refer to ritual sacrifice of animals, and I don't think anyone else would either.

There is almost no acceptable circumstance to use that word in the wrong context IMO

I agree. I've heard it a lot, and I hate it.

I agree emotionally to the misuse of both those words however the etymology shows that to ‘plunder the land’ is a viable meaning from the 1700s onwards:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/rape
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/rape
However perhaps they should use plunder or violate instead and accept loss of one meaning(as gay has now lost the meaning of ‘jolly’).
Strange how the meanings have evolved- ravish (pre 1500s rape word) sounds positive now.

I actually think it's more offensive that the historical word meaning "spoil" or steal is used to describe sexual violation. Because it kind of carries the connotations that women belong to particular men and other men steal/ruin them. I'm probably explaining this badly! But it's like it's all about the men.

I agree saying an expensive shop "raped" you is really offensive though and likewise not keen on the use in the OP because everyone knows nowadays it's mainly used to describe sexual violation and I can't help think that some people enjoy using the word for that reason, enjoy the shock element.

Agree. I also hate when people use the word “anal” to describe being overly tidy/ pedantic.

Although thinking about it, the rape use probably came about as nature tends to be viewed as female ,’’mother earth’. It would probably be war terminology if the land was seen as male. So use could be inherently misogynistic. Pop pop

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rape_of_the_Lock

No locks were sexually violated

But seriously, I don't think the meaning "to violate or ravage" ever really went away

"Rape of the countryside" meaning "violation" has been around for a while

Oh good point and another reason to put me off it...

Agree!

I hate this misappropriation. Words matter. It's a word I struggle to use even when I need to. When I hear it, even on TV, it gives me the freeze response. I can quickly right myself so probably no-one notices, but it's there. Powerful words are necessary. Their power lies in the meaning and that should be respected.

It isn't misappropriation though. The way they are using it is correct.

Probably liked saying the word. Revolting specimen.

Ducksinthebath · Today 15:28

Thank you for copying and pasting part of your dictionary for me. But I think we all know the accepted meanings of words change.

Yes, but some of the usages are still current, as mentioned "rape of the countryside." I understand the more common usage as most people would understand it today, but that's not to say that it's wrong to use it in other appropriate contexts.

I agree, it makes me very uncomfortable.

Thanks to this thread I've now got the song from Into The Woods on repeat in my brain. Which makes a change from Spandeu Ballet who have been serenading me for 2 days.

That's Oilseed rape. Horrible name though for a crop.
I googled...from Latin ''Rapum'' meaning 'turnip'.

Yes! definitely.

Yes both those words are triggering for me. I really wish people would be more mindful of their language. I have heard it used in this context lots.

I'm a big fan of comedy but wow its tricky to navigate. Lots of comedians jokes have certainly not aged well and it's very cringey.

What I really don't see the need for is the whole food porn thing. I've seen menus that name burgers all after porn stars/sex acts/porn websites. It's really gross. Why is society so keen to normalise so much unhealthy stuff.

It takes nothing for me to use different words and still get my point across?

I've heard that usage a reasonable amount. It's not an everyday usage but it's not super rare. I hope it remains. I really don't think it helps to set up words as in someway sacred.

I remember watching a documentary about Marie Antoinette which described how the mob stormed into Versailles and burst into her bedroom, though after she had escaped. The (male) commentator referred to this invasion as 'just like a rape'. Er, no. Not saying it wasn't frightening and upsetting for MA, but rape it was not. Call things by their proper names and don't risk diluting the horror of rape.

Yanbu it normalizes rape and adds to rape culture

I’ve never heard of the word rape being used that way and I would absolutely hate it too!

Words like porn or anal don’t bother me because they’re (usually) consensual and doesn’t have the same meaning when used in other contexts.

As a PP said, it also normalises the word.