5 ms·

Slightly off topic: Learnt a new word today 'vulgarization' which seems to have a completely different meaning from the obvious. Thanks.

egwynn 2y ago
Note that, in the abstract, “vulgar” means “common” (as in “vulgar latin”). Indeed, its negative connotations come from that same sense: “common” people are unrefined.
- hinkley 2y ago
  The association between vulgarity and propriety (and class distinctions) sort of ruins that word, particularly in the english speaking west. I wonder if that's as big of a problem in the romance languages (which all treat left/right the same way - left = bad, right = good)
  - jjgreen 2y ago
    Indeed: are you sinister or dexterous?
    - hinkley 2y ago
      In French the same word for “right” means the same notion in English for - direction - straight ahead - civics - propriety
    - nickpeterson 2y ago
      As a left-handed contrarian, I’ve always enjoyed that sinister and left handed go hand in hand.
  - LtdJorge 2y ago
    Yes, in Spanish vulgar is used as inappropriate. We have "el vulgo" (el pueblo, the people), which kinda teaches you the correct meaning, popular, unrefined. But "vulgo" is seldomly used.
  - egwynn 2y ago
    This goes pretty deep in English. I'd argue that the semantic intention behind the colloquial usage of "vulgar" is nearly inseparable from the "class distinction" baggage it carries. Consider these common synonyms and their etymologies: - Rude: "coarse, rough, unfinished, unlearned" (https://www.etymonline.com/word/rude#etymonline_v_16610 https://www.etymonline.com/word/rude#etymonline_v_16610) - Mean: "shared by all, common, general" (https://www.etymonline.com/word/mean#etymonline_v_12495 https://www.etymonline.com/word/mean#etymonline_v_12495) And even synonyms like obscene, indecent, or disgusting, which don't evoke this distinction directly, still almost always ultimately rely on separating things based on what is "good" and "clean" according to class distinctions.

egwynn 2y ago

Note that, in the abstract, “vulgar” means “common” (as in “vulgar latin”). Indeed, its negative connotations come from that same sense: “common” people are unrefined.

hinkley 2y ago
The association between vulgarity and propriety (and class distinctions) sort of ruins that word, particularly in the english speaking west. I wonder if that's as big of a problem in the romance languages (which all treat left/right the same way - left = bad, right = good)
- jjgreen 2y ago
  Indeed: are you sinister or dexterous?
  - hinkley 2y ago
    In French the same word for “right” means the same notion in English for - direction - straight ahead - civics - propriety
  - nickpeterson 2y ago
    As a left-handed contrarian, I’ve always enjoyed that sinister and left handed go hand in hand.
- LtdJorge 2y ago
  Yes, in Spanish vulgar is used as inappropriate. We have "el vulgo" (el pueblo, the people), which kinda teaches you the correct meaning, popular, unrefined. But "vulgo" is seldomly used.
- egwynn 2y ago
  This goes pretty deep in English. I'd argue that the semantic intention behind the colloquial usage of "vulgar" is nearly inseparable from the "class distinction" baggage it carries. Consider these common synonyms and their etymologies: - Rude: "coarse, rough, unfinished, unlearned" (https://www.etymonline.com/word/rude#etymonline_v_16610 https://www.etymonline.com/word/rude#etymonline_v_16610) - Mean: "shared by all, common, general" (https://www.etymonline.com/word/mean#etymonline_v_12495 https://www.etymonline.com/word/mean#etymonline_v_12495) And even synonyms like obscene, indecent, or disgusting, which don't evoke this distinction directly, still almost always ultimately rely on separating things based on what is "good" and "clean" according to class distinctions.