CLothing debate

[sweetnpetite]

The name wife beater is growing more and more popular, raising the concerns of many victims' rights groups that naming a popular article of clothing after an incident of domestic violence desensitizes young people to violence against women. However, many slang experts argue that, far from glamorizing domestic violence, this tongue-in-cheek name mocks the self-conscious machismo of the upper-class teen as he struggles to evoke the blue-collar image of another time and place.

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000706

So what do you think? Is the term 'wife-beater' offensive or is it just about not taking yourself too seriously? Or are both arguments just full of it?

 

[Weird Harold]

So what do you think? Is the term 'wife-beater' offensive or is it just about not taking yourself too seriously? Or are both arguments just full of it?

None of the above: I think both arguments are valid.

Wife-beater is an insensitive and "thoughtless" term that shouldn't be used because it's just stupid and inaccurate when applied to an article of clothing.

However, those who worry about "offensive words" should be forced to listen to Geroge Carlin until they understand that ""there are no bad words, just bad thoughts." There aren't really any "bad thoughts" behind naming an article of clothing with any un-PC term -- unless it's "bad thoughts" about the clothing.

 

[Bizkit_Writer]

wife beater is a horrible term to use for clothing, I would just call it a tank top or something of the sort.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The name wife beater is growing more and more popular, raising the concerns of many victims' rights groups that naming a popular article of clothing after an incident of domestic violence desensitizes young people to violence against women.

Well, I don't know. I don't think calling a two-strapper a "wife-beater" is going to increase the level of domestic violence any more than calling them "fuck-me" shoes is going to help get you laid.

I mean, it's not like someone's going to say to some guy, "Hey, I see you're wearing your wife-beater," and the guy's going to suddenly think, "Say! That sounds like a great idea!"

---dr.M.

 

[RenzaJones]

I think people are way too worried about the term given to clothing and not concerned enough about actual domestic violence. Belive me if someone is kicking my ass I'm not going to care if they're wearing a wife beater or a three piece suit.

 

[GodBlessTexas]

When I hear "wife-beater" in reference to the traditional, white, under-shirt-like tank top, it makes me laugh. What freak assigned such a ridiulcous name to a tank top? It's a tank top! Wife-beater...ha!

I tend to agree with the "desensitization" argument. Domestic violence is a horrible thing, and I'd hate for people to get used to hearing the words as if it was a normal thing. How many times in the last year have we seen the headlines or heard the words, "U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq"? I'm ashamed to admit it, but the shock and horror that initially hit me when hearing them has lately been gone.

So if making "wife-beater" an everyday phrase is going to lead to that same type of reaction to the real thing, I say let's get rid of it now.

But it still makes me laugh!

 

[raphy]

George Carlin.

Yes.

Weird Harold nails it once again, folks. Extremists (on either side of any argument) are a waste of time

 

[lewdandlicentious]

I find it disturbing that clothes designers and manufacturers can't find better names for their ranges.

Who the hell came up with that name??

But of course, the controversialism and sensationalism of it all. People have now heard of it, and of course the young and trendy will want some.

As for the PC,

Whatever! It's just something else for them to pick up on.

 

[sweetnpetite]

I don't think that designers started it- I think it started as a 'folk-usage' sort of thing. The first time I heard the phrase, I thought 'what the fuck!' but I knew exactly what they meant. It creates a very vivid picture.

I don't like it though. I think that the counter argument stated in the original post is apologetic bullshit, thought up after the fact, and definatly *not* the reason anyone wears a tank top or calls it a wife beater. However, I just love the way they tried to spin it- it cracks me up, lol.

I don't think 'wife beater' is a funny term or particularly cute, that is why I object to it. I'm not going to march or anything over it, but I'll just call it a tank top thank you, and I'll probably cringe when I hear others use it.

I also object to the term 'pimp' being used to mean something or someone cool. Some people may argue that it doesn't retain it's original meaning, and in some instances it doesn't, but it still retains much of the original meaning. To me, a pimp is and should remain a vile and contemptable person. Should we start calling cool white dudes with big bucks and lots of hot woman 'slave-owners'

Some may say it's not important, but words are important. they shape our thoughts, our thoughts shape our actions, our actions shape our world.

 

[fifty5]

Some may say it's not important, but words are important. they shape our thoughts, our thoughts shape our actions, our actions shape our world.

You're right SnP. Words are our thoughts - and ought to maintain civilised respect.

f5

 

[destinie21]

so if a woman is in a beater then shall we call them beat them back? to empower and what not? Seriously I don't think the name matters much I mean plenty of people get running shoes and cross trainers and the name of the shoe doesn't make them excercise.

 

[SeaCat]

Strange

I never heard those shirts called that until I moved south. before that we called them undershirts or tank Tops. (I just called them lost shirts because my wife was always stealing them.) What's in a name?
B.T.W. I know where the name came from, can anyone else tell me where it came from?

SeaCat