Hey guys, I got this email today :
"To whom this may concern: As the art teacher for two elementary schools, I need some written information that explains the nature of this cartoon, and the fact that it is inappropriate for children at this level. These children are watching this cartoon ...late at night...and my concern is that the parents have no idea that this humor is designed for adults. I look forward to your response."
Can someone help me come up with a reply to this?
Well, if you are looking for something regarding the fact that South Park isn't appropriate for children, here you go:
If you can tell me why the language used in South Park is rude, then I will agree that it is. However, there is no reason why certain words in our language should be considered rude, even if they aren't necessary to use in conversations.
Mike K.
"Censorship is a load of bollocks" - Chumbawamba
Mrhaggis44 wrote:
The thing is, words aren't rude. It's the meaning behind them that determines what's considered rude. Words are created by humans and are suseptive (sp?) to change. For example, I heard somewhere that the word FUCK originated during the 1600's or so (during Pilgrim times). These 4 initials stood for "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge". These initials would be displayed over the stocks (is that the word?) to alert all passerby of the person's crime (whoever got caught doing this). So how did the word fuck become a rude word? And what about the word gay? (I know it's not a bad of rude word but I'm trying to make a point about changing or altered definitions) It used to mean happy. When did it change its definition?
-Toni
Actually, the word fuck originated from the latin word "fuck," meaning "To sow the seeds." The reason it refers to sex now is because when you have sex you "sow the seeds" of life. Seriously, I'm not making this up. Mike K.
"Censorship is a load of bollocks" - Chumbawamba
Mike wrote (quoting Toni):
Actually the origin hasn't ever been clear (and considering the nature of the term, it probably never will be), but the 3 main possibilities are [1] the acronym Toni mentions (except it was used by early 19th-C. naval commanders, not Pilgrims); [2] the Dutch verb "fucken" meaning to breed; and [3] the *Greek* (not Latin) word for planting seeds. [Source: The Queen's Vernacular, 1971]. As for "gay" the most common explanation is 16-C. French "gaie" meaning homosexual man, which was later borrowed into the British slang "gay girl" meaning whore [Ibid.] from which current usage (obviously rather torturedly) evolved.
Actually, that's a myth. I can't find the article at the moment ... but the history of the word is older than that, and was spelled differently long before someone got the idea of it being an anagram.
Rabbit (See if I can dig it up)
Supr kev wrote:
Well ... while I do agree with him in a way, I would respond by telling him that his best defense is perhaps to watch the show himself, rather than relying on the opinions of others.
Rabbit