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TV-related euphemisms
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Christian Weisgerber
Nov 6, 2012, 4:18:46 PM11/6/12
to
Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
refer to that they become incomprehensible.
Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
Suggestive?
Suggestive of what?
Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
indecent : ^risqué
... but that is still quite vague.
I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
----
I think it's cable channels that have content warnings "this programs
contains [boobs, gore, yada, yada]", ending in "viewer discretion
is advised".
What is "viewer discretion"?
For the longest time I tried to connect this to "discreet", but
that doesn't lead anywhere. (This is a really bad trap if your
background is in a language like German or Danish that has borrowed
French "discrétion" _only_ in this sense.)
So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
refer to that they become incomprehensible.
Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
Suggestive?
Suggestive of what?
Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
indecent : ^risqué
... but that is still quite vague.
I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
----
I think it's cable channels that have content warnings "this programs
contains [boobs, gore, yada, yada]", ending in "viewer discretion
is advised".
What is "viewer discretion"?
For the longest time I tried to connect this to "discreet", but
that doesn't lead anywhere. (This is a really bad trap if your
background is in a language like German or Danish that has borrowed
French "discrétion" _only_ in this sense.)
So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
Horace LaBadie
Nov 6, 2012, 5:41:42 PM11/6/12
to
In article <k7burm$1qft$1...@lorvorc.mips.inka.de>,
Ratings are provided so that adult parents can decide if they want their
children to watch the program in question. They exercise discretion,
choice, for their children.
children to watch the program in question. They exercise discretion,
choice, for their children.
tony cooper
Nov 6, 2012, 6:53:31 PM11/6/12
to
On Tue, 6 Nov 2012 21:18:46 +0000 (UTC), na...@mips.inka.de (Christian
Weisgerber) wrote:
>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
>Suggestive?
>Suggestive of what?
>
>Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
> 2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
> indecent : ^risqu�
Weisgerber) wrote:
>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
>Suggestive?
>Suggestive of what?
>
>Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
> 2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
>... but that is still quite vague.
>
>I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
>
>----
>
>I think it's cable channels that have content warnings "this programs
>contains [boobs, gore, yada, yada]", ending in "viewer discretion
>is advised".
>
>What is "viewer discretion"?
>
>For the longest time I tried to connect this to "discreet", but
>that doesn't lead anywhere. (This is a really bad trap if your
>background is in a language like German or Danish that has borrowed
>French "discr�tion" _only_ in this sense.)
>
>I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
>
>----
>
>I think it's cable channels that have content warnings "this programs
>contains [boobs, gore, yada, yada]", ending in "viewer discretion
>is advised".
>
>What is "viewer discretion"?
>
>For the longest time I tried to connect this to "discreet", but
>that doesn't lead anywhere. (This is a really bad trap if your
>background is in a language like German or Danish that has borrowed
>
>So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
>to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
>
>My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
>"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
Well, not, it really doesn't mean that. It means that you should show
>So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
>to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
>
>My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
>"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
some discretion in whether or not you will allow your children to
watch it.
The cast list is a better indication of whether or not it's the sort
of thing that an adult should watch. If, for example, Adam Sandler is
in the cast, it is not going to be my sort of thing.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
JOF
Nov 6, 2012, 7:15:03 PM11/6/12
to
>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
According to the Wikpeda article, the D has to do with drug use:
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
"D for some Drug Use Cigarets And Other Drugs May occur"
>Suggestive?
>Suggestive of what?
>
>Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
> 2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
>... but that is still quite vague.
>
>I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
Yes, but "suggestive" would mean in double entendres, or in some other
>
>I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
indirect way.
>I think it's cable channels that have content warnings "this programs
>contains [boobs, gore, yada, yada]", ending in "viewer discretion
>is advised".
>
>
>What is "viewer discretion"?
>
>For the longest time I tried to connect this to "discreet", but
>that doesn't lead anywhere. (This is a really bad trap if your
>background is in a language like German or Danish that has borrowed
>
>So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
>to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
>
>My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
>"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
Viewers are exhorted to exercise discretion (circumspection), and by
>So it must be the other meaning of "discretion", the right or ability
>to make a choice... but that still doesn't make any sense.
>
>My best guess is that it's a supremely contorted way of saying
>"don't watch it if you don't like this sort of thing".
implication, fair warning has been given (empowering the viewer to
decide).
--
John
James Hogg
Nov 7, 2012, 1:46:17 AM11/7/12
to
Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
> refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
> Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
> that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
> letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
> _s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
> is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
> Suggestive?
> Suggestive of what?
>
> Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
> 2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
> indecent : ^risqu�
> Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
> refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
> Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
> that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
> letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
> _s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
> is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
> Suggestive?
> Suggestive of what?
>
> Fortunately this meaning has made it into Merriam-Webster...
> 2 : suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
> ... but that is still quite vague.
>
> I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
Yes, "suggestive" can only suggest one thing, in exactly the same way as
>
> I assume it really means "people talk about sex".
a "double entendre" can only really mean one thing.
--
James
Alan Curry
Nov 7, 2012, 3:42:07 AM11/7/12
to
In article <k7burm$1qft$1...@lorvorc.mips.inka.de>,
warning is the one about "adult situations". Whatever you imagine that might
mean, consider that it has been applied to standup comedy shows. A guy is on
stage talking into a microphone. That's the situation.
The rule in constructing these warnings seems to be that you're not allowed
to use the words that mean the thing you're trying to say.
--
Alan Curry
Christian Weisgerber <na...@mips.inka.de> wrote:
>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
>Suggestive?
>Suggestive of what?
At least the word "dialogue" has a normal meaning there. The most meaningless
>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>
>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>
>Suggestive?
>Suggestive of what?
warning is the one about "adult situations". Whatever you imagine that might
mean, consider that it has been applied to standup comedy shows. A guy is on
stage talking into a microphone. That's the situation.
The rule in constructing these warnings seems to be that you're not allowed
to use the words that mean the thing you're trying to say.
--
Alan Curry
j...@arcade.demon.co.uk
Nov 7, 2012, 5:00:58 AM11/7/12
to
JOF wrote:
> Yes, but "suggestive" would mean in double entendres, or in some other
> indirect way.
http://youtu.be/SrDFGa0juCM?t=1m33s
> Yes, but "suggestive" would mean in double entendres, or in some other
> indirect way.
A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat.
JGH
CDB
Nov 7, 2012, 6:18:19 AM11/7/12
to
after a little suggestive language."
Dr Nick
Nov 10, 2012, 12:28:51 PM11/10/12
to
contains "fantasy spiders" and the daftest was on one film that it
contained "some language". It wasn't Quest for Fire.
Peter Brooks
Nov 10, 2012, 1:35:20 PM11/10/12
to
On Nov 10, 7:26 pm, Dr Nick <nospa...@temporary-address.org.uk> wrote:
>
>
> My favourite warning is on one of the Harry Potter films, that it
> contains "fantasy spiders" and the daftest was on one film that it
> contained "some language". It wasn't Quest for Fire.
>
It is an odd one - but it makes sense as we used to have completely
>
>
> My favourite warning is on one of the Harry Potter films, that it
> contains "fantasy spiders" and the daftest was on one film that it
> contained "some language". It wasn't Quest for Fire.
>
silent films, so, a film containing some language clearly isn't one of
those.
Mike Barnes
Nov 10, 2012, 1:50:46 PM11/10/12
to
Dr Nick <nosp...@temporary-address.org.uk>:
>My favourite warning is [..] and the daftest was on one film that it
>contained "some language".
If it was in the film, it was obvious to the point of tautology.
It reminds me of the leftpondian use of "having an accent".
--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England
>My favourite warning is [..] and the daftest was on one film that it
>contained "some language".
If it was in the film, it was obvious to the point of tautology.
It reminds me of the leftpondian use of "having an accent".
--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England
Joe Fineman
Nov 10, 2012, 5:37:50 PM11/10/12
to
Peter Brooks <peter.h....@gmail.com> writes:
> On Nov 10, 7:26 pm, Dr Nick <nospa...@temporary-address.org.uk>
> wrote:
>>
>> My favourite warning is on one of the Harry Potter films, that it
>> contains "fantasy spiders" and the daftest was on one film that it
>> contained "some language". It wasn't Quest for Fire.
That's "language" in the pregnant sense of "strong language".
> On Nov 10, 7:26 pm, Dr Nick <nospa...@temporary-address.org.uk>
> wrote:
>>
>> My favourite warning is on one of the Harry Potter films, that it
>> contains "fantasy spiders" and the daftest was on one film that it
>> contained "some language". It wasn't Quest for Fire.
> It is an odd one - but it makes sense as we used to have completely
> silent films, so, a film containing some language clearly isn't one
> of those.
you are one of those descriptivist extremists who say "Spoken language
is the language".
--
--- Joe Fineman jo...@verizon.net
||: You're never too old to do something stupid. :||
JNugent
Nov 10, 2012, 6:28:36 PM11/10/12
to
On 10/11/2012 18:50, Mike Barnes wrote:
> Dr Nick <nosp...@temporary-address.org.uk>:
>> My favourite warning is [..] and the daftest was on one film that it
>> contained "some language".
>
> If it was in the film, it was obvious to the point of tautology.
>
> It reminds me of the leftpondian use of "having an accent".
A Californian acquaintance insists that Californians don't have an accent.
> Dr Nick <nosp...@temporary-address.org.uk>:
>> My favourite warning is [..] and the daftest was on one film that it
>> contained "some language".
>
> If it was in the film, it was obvious to the point of tautology.
>
> It reminds me of the leftpondian use of "having an accent".
R H Draney
Nov 10, 2012, 6:52:28 PM11/10/12
to
Joe Fineman filted:
certainly silent films with no intertitles....r
--
Me? Sarcastic?
Yeah, right.
>
>Peter Brooks <peter.h....@gmail.com> writes:
>
>> It is an odd one - but it makes sense as we used to have completely
>> silent films, so, a film containing some language clearly isn't one
>> of those.
>
>Silent films did contain bits of text, which count as language unless
>you are one of those descriptivist extremists who say "Spoken language
>is the language".
You left the word "most" off the beginning of that assertion...there were
>Peter Brooks <peter.h....@gmail.com> writes:
>
>> It is an odd one - but it makes sense as we used to have completely
>> silent films, so, a film containing some language clearly isn't one
>> of those.
>
>Silent films did contain bits of text, which count as language unless
>you are one of those descriptivist extremists who say "Spoken language
>is the language".
certainly silent films with no intertitles....r
--
Me? Sarcastic?
Yeah, right.
Guy Barry
Nov 10, 2012, 10:01:15 PM11/10/12
to
"Mike Barnes" wrote in message
news:vLjx8GfG...@34klh41lk4h1lk34h3lk4h1k4.invalid...
> Dr Nick <nosp...@temporary-address.org.uk>:
> >My favourite warning is [..] and the daftest was on one film that it
> >contained "some language".
> If it was in the film, it was obvious to the point of tautology.
> It reminds me of the leftpondian use of "having an accent".
--
Guy Barry
Frank S
Nov 10, 2012, 10:20:00 PM11/10/12
to
"JNugent" <jenni...@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:ag8694...@mid.individual.net...
Little Rock, 1956, I sat at a drug-store soda fountain counter and asked
for a small Coke. The girl said, "You're from California, aren't you?" I
asked her how she could tell; "You talk like a radio announcer. No
accent".
--
Frank ess
JNugent
Nov 11, 2012, 6:30:42 PM11/11/12
to
As everyone knows, it is we Liverpudlians who don't have an accent.
![Peter Duncanson [BrE]'s profile photo](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjU1GGYFBCZgBCNB-pRgkosMu-ej0qpnECw3jc8uGYOTiF8a=s40-c)
Peter Duncanson [BrE]
Nov 11, 2012, 7:34:42 PM11/11/12
to
On Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:30:42 +0000, JNugent <jenni...@fastmail.fm>
wrote:
Accents begin in Birkenhead?
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
wrote:
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)
JNugent
Nov 13, 2012, 11:13:54 AM11/13/12
to
[Other way.]
Oliver Cromm
Nov 27, 2012, 5:53:13 PM11/27/12
to
* Alan Curry:
> In article <k7burm$1qft$1...@lorvorc.mips.inka.de>,
> Christian Weisgerber <na...@mips.inka.de> wrote:
>>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>>
>>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>>
>>Suggestive?
>>Suggestive of what?
>
> At least the word "dialogue" has a normal meaning there. The most meaningless
> warning is the one about "adult situations". Whatever you imagine that might
> mean, consider that it has been applied to standup comedy shows. A guy is on
> stage talking into a microphone. That's the situation.
I don't know that one, the one I am regularly advised about - here
in Canada - is "adult subject matter". In my understanding, that
covers "talking about sex".
I was genuinely surprised when the latest Grimm episode only
warned "This program contains scenes of violence." What, a whole
episode with no adult subject matter and no "scenes that may
disturb some viewers"? Must sound boring to the bulk of the
clientele.
Now you have most of the standard phrases used here.
--
The Internet? Is that thing still around? - Homer Simpson
> In article <k7burm$1qft$1...@lorvorc.mips.inka.de>,
> Christian Weisgerber <na...@mips.inka.de> wrote:
>>Sometimes euphemisms are so successful at hiding what it is they
>>refer to that they become incomprehensible.
>>
>>Those who watch American TV networks know those content rating logos
>>that pop up in the upper left corner: TV-PG, TV-14, etc. Additional
>>letters provide further information: D L S V. Now, coarse _l_anguage,
>>_s_exual situations, and _v_iolence are reasonably clear, but what
>>is this "suggestive _d_ialogue"?
>>
>>Suggestive?
>>Suggestive of what?
>
> At least the word "dialogue" has a normal meaning there. The most meaningless
> warning is the one about "adult situations". Whatever you imagine that might
> mean, consider that it has been applied to standup comedy shows. A guy is on
> stage talking into a microphone. That's the situation.
in Canada - is "adult subject matter". In my understanding, that
covers "talking about sex".
I was genuinely surprised when the latest Grimm episode only
warned "This program contains scenes of violence." What, a whole
episode with no adult subject matter and no "scenes that may
disturb some viewers"? Must sound boring to the bulk of the
clientele.
Now you have most of the standard phrases used here.
--
The Internet? Is that thing still around? - Homer Simpson
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