TallDarkAndWitty
Posts: 1893
Joined: 6/12/2004 From: Rochester, NY Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SirTyson So let me ask you this then, say you do standardize the two words. What happens then with new comers who see your definitions and dont feel they fit into one definition or the other. Well, you wouldn't just define those two terms. You would create a hierarchy of definitions. The broadest level: Tops, bottoms, sensualists. Each of those broad levels would then be broken down to subcategories. (Tops: Masters, Owners, Trainers, Sadists, etc. Bottoms: Slaves, Submissives, Pets, Littles, etc. Sensualists: Festishists, Exhibitionists, Self-bondage players.) A taxonomy of the lifestyle would be developed and maintained. quote:
I think that would only put them off on to learning about the lifestyle. Hmmm...in my experience, those who think they belong in the lifestyle won't let some words stop them from exploring. quote:
Not only do you want to standardize the words, but if you do it doesnt stop there. Yes, isn't that great! quote:
What's next, does everyone now have to conform and change themselves to fit into one definition or the other? You'll never get a majority of people to agree on the definitions of these words. That's the funny thing about words, you don't need a majority of people to agree on anything. All you need is a good reference work and some consistent use. Did a mojority of people agree on the definitions as penned by Noah Webster? Nope. Yet, people quote him everyday. All he did was say, perhaps we can't agree on what these words mean, but let's agree to have a place where we can make them mean only one thing. quote:
Where does it end?? It doesn't...and that's a good thing. Language is constantly expanding and growing and changing. If it didn't, dictionary publishers would be out of a job. quote:
And why is it just the definitions od a sub and a slave. You could make the same case about what is the difference between a Master and a Dom. So then we have to make firm definitions of those and then conform to those meanings as well? Oh yes, of course. All of the roles would have to be defined and standardized. Yet, people wouldn't conform to the words, they would simply use the words to describe themselves. If there wasn't a word that described what they did, they wouldn't use an already existing word and have it mean something else. They would use a combination of other words, or they would create a new word. Language is cool like that... quote:
To me, and it seems like others here as well, it doesnt matter what others think , all that's important is what the two people in the relationship think. That certainly is one way to look at it, and if you don't wish to belong to a community, it is quite sufficient. I, however, think words are worth more when more people use them the same way. To each his own. Taggard
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A most rewarding compliment is an insult from the ill-informed. My slave: Kat (RainaVerene on the other side) and her website: RainaVerene.com
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