Why is mouthbreathing an insult?

Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (Full Version)

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loveseat -> Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 12:28:22 AM)
As I glanced up at the collar ticker I read a caption from someone that said "According to the mouthbreathers...." I'm aware that it's used as an insult but I don't know why, it's not a term we use in Australia. My partner is a nose breather, and I can do either depending on what the situation requires. My partner, when he gets a cold and is all plugged up will sit there and try and force air through the narrow passages making horrible wheezing and whistling noises utterly incapable of breathing through his mouth. Me, I just open my mouth and breath. Maybe it comes from having been a smoker, but drawing in air through my mouth just isn't a big deal and it seems to me its smarter to do so in some circumstances. So help me understand, why is it an insult?

WomanlyWiles -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 2:52:59 AM)
I think it's because having one's mouth hanging open is considered to make one look vacant - glaikit in Scottish.

Marc2b -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 7:02:06 AM)
WomanlyWiles touched upon it but I think it goes a bit further. That vacant look is one we associate with the (inaccurate) image of the Neanderthal... stooped, knuckle dragging, mouth agape... in short, a primitive. Calling someone a mouth breather is basically calling someone less evolved and therefore inferior when compared to the more evolved (read: socially progressive), enlightened speaker.

OsideGirl -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:06:22 AM)
We use it to describe guys that have had all the blood rush away from the big head, down to the little head. It leaves them as panting, slack jawed, wankers.

Reform -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:13:19 AM)
Within nerd culture, a mouthbreather is someone who is overweight, has severe apnea and can't breath through his nose. He doesn't just breathe through his mouth, but instead gasps and licks his teeth and otherwise makes breathing a very noisy event. This is usually done while looking over someone's shoulder and telling that person why whatever he's doing is wrong. It's an insult for someone who thinks he is smarter than everyone else and feels the need to point out his superior intellect to everyone. The mouthbreather is usually also a neckbeard, someone who's beard is unruly, untrimmed, and grows on parts of his neck. Generally reserved for people who don't have basic hygiene skills, which is made apparent by their fugly beards.

kalikshama -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:26:20 AM)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mouth-breather

kiwisub12 -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:32:17 AM)
I have always associated mouthbreathers with people who have enlarged adnoids. ...... must be the nursey in me.[:)]

TNDommeK -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:57:14 AM)
Never heard of this. Interesting.

Hillwilliam -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 8:58:25 AM)
Or someone who, because of contact and combat sports, has had their nose broken numerous times and can't breathe thru it easily.[8\|]

Jaquin -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 9:42:49 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kiwisub12 I have always associated mouthbreathers with people who have enlarged adnoids. ...... must be the nursey in me.[:)] That's me. Was told by a specialist when I was a kid I have an enlarged adenoid. I've heard of it used as an insult before but never actually been called it, despite being a mouth breather. I guess cause my breathing is actually not very audible and I try not to say stupid things. [:-]

yourdarkdesire -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 10:33:36 AM)
quote: The mouthbreather is usually also a neckbeard, someone who's beard is unruly, untrimmed, and grows on parts of his neck. Generally reserved for people who don't have basic hygiene skills, which is made apparent by their fugly beards. Wow, talk about stereotyping. Insulting someone just because of the way his beard grows..... You people disappoint me. As members of a group that is frequently looked down upon, you should have more tolerance for people who are different. That's just like me calling every person who snores a mouth breather. Yes, breathing through their mouth causes the snoring, but I would never insult them about it.

Reform -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 10:41:57 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: yourdarkdesire quote: The mouthbreather is usually also a neckbeard, someone who's beard is unruly, untrimmed, and grows on parts of his neck. Generally reserved for people who don't have basic hygiene skills, which is made apparent by their fugly beards. Wow, talk about stereotyping. Insulting someone just because of the way his beard grows..... You people disappoint me. As members of a group that is frequently looked down upon, you should have more tolerance for people who are different. That's just like me calling every person who snores a mouth breather. Yes, breathing through their mouth causes the snoring, but I would never insult them about it. I'm explaining another common insult within nerd culture (because I've never heard it anywhere else). It doesn't mean I use or agree with it.

GreedyTop -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 10:44:37 AM)
WHen used as an insult, this was the visual that came to mind. quote: ORIGINAL: OsideGirl We use it to describe guys that have had all the blood rush away from the big head, down to the little head. It leaves them as panting, slack jawed, wankers. THAT being said, I tend to be a mouth breather because of allergies - easier to do that than try to breathe through congestion caused by pollens, etc.

kitkat105 -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 11:20:16 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kiwisub12 I have always associated mouthbreathers with people who have enlarged adnoids. ...... must be the nursey in me.[:)] LOL! Me too! I have been a lifelong mouth breather (thanks Mum & Dad for NOT getting my T&A's done).. but with yoga I've learned to breath through my nose quite well. i can't do it 24/7 but much longer than ever before.

Marc2b -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 12:32:10 PM)
quote: The mouthbreather is usually also a neckbeard, someone who's beard is unruly, untrimmed, and grows on parts of his neck. Generally reserved for people who don't have basic hygiene skills, which is made apparent by their fugly beards. Love me, love my beard.

ARIES83 -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/18/2012 12:48:27 PM)
Why don't you take 5 seconds and type it in Google... People do use it here in Aus sometimes... -Aries

loveseat -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/19/2012 12:29:27 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ARIES83 Why don't you take 5 seconds and type it in Google... People do use it here in Aus sometimes... -Aries As a newcomer to the boards, I thought it was a light hearted way start to interact with others. If I had simply googled it I wouldn't have gotten the fabulous responses I did, which in part allowed me to get to know those who replied a little better, even a quippy "why don't you take 5 seconds and type it into Google" response gives me an insight to the personality of the poster ;) Google might be a fountain of information, but it doesn't make a very good conversationalist. It was good to read the responses about T&A, I had completely forgotten having mine removed as a child because they caused breathing issues!

lilmissdefiant -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/19/2012 12:51:51 AM)
loveseat don't mind ARIES he's just one of those guys [:D][:D][:D][:D] (I mean that in the nicest way [;)] ) He does tend to come out with some good questions and answers, Like me, he's annoyingly sarcastic [:)] [8D] Would've thought being a fellow Aussie you'd be more laid back about it. [8\|]

loveseat -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/19/2012 2:26:05 AM)
Apologies I didn't realize I had been uptight about anything. Aries asked why I didn't type it into google, I simply gave him the answer. Don't you just love stereotypes, wouldn't it be great if all Australians were laid back ;)

ARIES83 -> RE: Why is mouthbreathing an insult? (9/19/2012 2:34:07 AM)
Hey! I'm in diet mode for summer so I'm having VB withdrawals... -Aries

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