this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2024
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And Finally...

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Thousands petition to keep pub’s ‘offensive’ name [The Midget] (www.independent.co.uk)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Emperor to c/andfinally
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Thousands of people have signed a counter-petition to keep a pub’s “offensive” name after a rebrand was announced.

The Midget, a Greene King pub in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was first subject of a petition signed by more than 1,300 people calling on the brewery franchise to “recognise the offence of the term and its implications” of the pub’s name.

The name comes from the iconic MG car which was built in the car company’s former factory in Abingdon.

Last week, Greene King said it would rename the pub The Roaring Raindrop in tribute to the last ever land speed record-breaking car produced by MG.

But some locals have objected with more than 2,800 people signing a counter-petition calling on the brewery to reverse the plans to rebrand.

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[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

This has been a weird case for the euphemism treadmill. The word is not meaningfully distinct from "dwarf" in tone, context, or common use. This push might be even sillier than people trying to taboo the word "crazy," as if the suggested alternatives won't go the exact same way, for the exact same reasons.

[–] HumanPenguin 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Not sure I can agree with your logic.

This is about the use of the word. More then its meaning.

Is it really reasonable to name a pub or car after a person based on there physical abnormality no mater what term we consider acceptable.

Your interpretation would suggest naming the car the little person would be accpetable today. But in the future would be offensive.

Honestly can you really claim the name littlebperson is ever an appropriate way to name a model of car or pub?

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

... yes. Especially if it's some cutesy diminutive in a romance language.

Would you have us remove all commercial uses of the word "giant?"

[–] HumanPenguin -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

So your original comment about asking people suffering from the condition was crap.

Because the term little people was one requested by themselves. As early as the 1980. As a way to avoid the lack of respect post a time when midget and dwarf in circus freak shows was their only available employment.

You really care nothing for how anyone feels. Other than your loss of the ability to belittle other?

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Wrong person. Scroll up.

I ask you again: does this rationale apply to other physical traits? No more "mute button," no more "window blinds?" You could argue those are the accepted terms for certain handicaps, but said it doesn't matter what term we consider acceptable.

[–] HumanPenguin -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

As a blind person.

It is a description of a condition not a belittling of it.

And while the UK government has rejected the term. It was not our community that objected.

Midgit is.

Stop trying to ease your own desire to be an arsehole. Youe answers make it clear you only care about your own use of language and gove fick all concern for the feelings of those that object to the use.

Everything about your statments is nothing but gaslighting and bullying those not lake you.

So fuck off ill just block you.

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Again: you are replying to the wrong person.

I am not the one who said the things you're ranting about.

Check usernames, dingus.

[–] HumanPenguin 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

sorry blind (visually impaired) does make it hard.

PS, Let's not be too surprised that a discussion like this. About a long term insult to disabled community members. Brings disabled people to argue against your statement.

The one unique point you raised, I'd like to address.

cutesy diminutive in a romance language.

First of, What does romance language have to do with anything. The term comes from the French for from Rome and is not related to its actual quality or friendliness to lovers.

But you are far from alone in misunderstanding that name. Romance languages can be as insulting and based around a history of human arsehole ness as any other. Heck, given Rome's rather negative history to any culture differed to them. Some could argue it originated it as a way off life.

And your latest (non I miss replied) comment.

The word blind was not first used to describe vision. It was first used to describe bocking views for privacy, Again derived from the French. Then used for horse sight limitation and windows.

Our visual limitations are named after the tool not the other way around. Hence the community has no issue with blind being an insult. (we do find the fact everyone seems to assume it means zero vision annoying. But not offensive. Hence, the UK government move to visual impaired etc )

Giant and dwarf are similar. But opposite to your ideal expressed above. The terms come from myth and culture.

(most likely due to fossil finds and imagination. Small humanoid ancestors exist in the fossil record. And prehistoric bones, likely lead to many myths about giants and dragons in the less informed past.)

The idea of dwarfism and giantism as a condition was attached to people from that history. Not the other way around. But the community has reason not to consider being named after the fictional being flattering. Although my friend john really did not hate that one and would use it jokingly.

Midget, as you say, comes from romance languages. But you fail to recognise it actually comes from French circuses in the 1700s. As a description of a freak show member. And is very much linked to a number of disgusting abuses that were pretty much the only way these members of the disabled community were able to earn and feed themselves in our hostile past.

So when you name a car this. It is not cutesy. It is insulting to a whole community.

I spose it would be the equivelent of calling me a begger. Because you assume that is the only way I can live. As it was up till the early 1900s.

Then calling your new product beggar curtains rather than blackout. (yeah its a streach as others begged)