BBC You are sick

[STEED]

I am glad I don't pay a licence fee and here is one good reason why.

The BBC came under new fire after it announced plans for a £200,000 TV documentary devoted to the most offensive word in the English language.

Read it here (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=428647&in_page_id=1770) :nope:

[Tchocky]

What's the big deal? The study of language, and the words we use, is a fascinating one. Two hundred grand isn't that bad, considering what some presenters are paid for what is to my mind pig-swill telly.

Mr Swire said: "People expect high standards from the BBC and many might well be offended by effectively subsidising programmes of this nature through the licence fee. "The change of language is an entirely good thing to look at, but I don't see why they have to sensationalise the subject.
"I'm sure they can have a stimulating debate about the change of language without resorting to the crude and baser words."
Surely language changes at the margins of acceptance? Refusing to debate/discuss a change in meaning is pretending that it isnt happening

[Letum]

What's the big deal? The study of language, and the words we use, is a fascinating one. Two hundred grand isn't that bad, considering what some presenters are paid for what is to my mind pig-swill telly.

Mr Swire said: "People expect high standards from the BBC and many might well be offended by effectively subsidising programmes of this nature through the licence fee. "The change of language is an entirely good thing to look at, but I don't see why they have to sensationalise the subject.
"I'm sure they can have a stimulating debate about the change of language without resorting to the crude and baser words."
Surely language changes at the margins of acceptance? Refusing to debate/discuss a change in meaning is pretending that it isnt happening
Yup, I agree.
Language is interesting and powerful language is very interesting. Expletives reflect cultural change more than any other part of language. Whats more is: It's entertaining!
200 grand is not a large expense for any documentary. Wildlife documentaries run in to several millions worth of licence money.

Jolly good BBC! I'm glad someone can make some challenging programing :up:

*edit* Just read the title of the topic again.
Do you seriously think that the study of the extremes of language presented as a television documentary is "sick" ? :rotfl:

[Schatten]

I remember seeing a documentary on the history of US TV and for a long time you couldn't use the word "diarrhea" on the air.

The way things change though I wouldn't be surprised within 10 years not only won't you need a documentary about the f-word on TV but it'll be part of every sit-com on.

As for spending 200k on a documentary about it, I don't see anything wrong with that really, like it's been said linguistics and the changes in use of a language over time can be very interesting subjects. What would be even more worthwhile is if they could finally definitavely pin down the origin of the word...there are currently about a half dozen theories that make sense in some way or another but no one has ever proven which one is the correct one.

[Gizzmoe]

A while ago BBC made a documentary about the f word. It was interesting and fun to watch.

Steed, all the time you complain about political correctness, now a public TV station does something that some or even many consider to be un-PC and yet you have found something to complain about... Is there anything in your life that actually makes you happy? :D ;)

[Letum]

Steed, all the time you complain about political correctness, now a public TV station does something that some or even many consider to be un-PC and yet you have found something to complain about...

hehehe.....He's gotcha there Steed ;)

[U-533]

I am glad I don't pay a licence fee and here is one good reason why.

The BBC came under new fire after it announced plans for a £200,000 TV documentary devoted to the most offensive word in the English language.

Read it here (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=428647&in_page_id=1770) :nope:

??? C-Word ???

most offensive in the English language......?

ok I have to admit my curiosity is up.

Here in America we have the

F-word
N-word
B-word
S-word
P-word

For all the beans ...What is the C-word??

Wait wait...most offensive in the ENGLISH language...OOooh ok

Please excuse me I try to speak American so my English aint so hot.. some one please PM me and tell me the most offensive word in the English language so I wont use it and offend anyone.:lol:

[danlisa]

Ok, I'll bite :D

<Removed on decency grounds - by danlisa>

I hope it's not offensive when presented like this.

[U-533]

:oops: :oops: ...oh

I would not use that anyway...:oops: :oops:

[joea]

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Some threads here just crack me up!

[The Munster]

Slightly off topic but BBC related, I've just seen something on BBC 1 this morning that has made my blood boil ! BBC helping people to emigrate to Australia; is that what I'm paying my Licence Fee for ? They daren't show this drivel on an evening as there would be an uproar.
STEED .. please provide me with the BBC complaint link if you have it, the BBC web-site is a minefield, I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind !

[STEED]

OK, sick was a bit strong. But it's still a waste of public money.

[Konovalov]

REM lyrics, "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine." :sunny: :sunny:

Relax. :D

[waste gate]

A couple of years back the president of the University of Colorado-Boulder said the word was a term of endearment. The feminists were besides themselves. BTW the president of CU at the time was a woman.

Here is an article CAUTION: the word appears without being PCed.

http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2004/06/16/news/news01.txt

[Schatten]

Oh that word...it's from Latin.

The Romans were way better at swearing than we are too. :D

[jumpy]

So long as there are no inferences of smutty jokes or schoolboy humour creeping into the program, then I see no problem with discussing the word ***t and its origins in middle english and further back.
Language and its development is s fascinating subject, especially when you compare what is acceptible now and in the past... you only have to read Chaucer to see the ribald and vulgar words and language to describe the characters and plot. Quite how things have changed to date in terms of what is acceptible is simply the effect of contemporary morality and society in action.

[FIREWALL]

And here I just thought you can't call someone CRAZY anymore.

I guess you all straitened me out on this one.:)