Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 23:12:33 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Subject: Re: M re: "damn"
In-Reply-To: <4aa1b2e7.24035a0a.61da.7be9@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
I've never heard that definition, which includes the "God" part. M-W says:
> * Main Entry:1damn
> * Pronunciation: \ dam\
> * Function: verb
> * Inflected Form(s): damned; damn·ing \ da-mi \
> * Etymology: Middle English dampnen, from
> Anglo-French dampner, from Latin damnare, from damnum damage, loss, fine
> * Date: 13th century
>
>transitive verb 1 : to condemn to a punishment
>or fate; especially : to condemn to hell
>2 a : to condemn vigorously and often irascibly
>for some real or fancied fault or defect <damned
>the storm for their delay> b : to condemn as a failure by public criticism
>3 : to bring ruin on
>4 : to swear at :
><http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curse>curse
>often used to express annoyance, disgust, or
>surprise <damn him, he should have been
>careful><I'll be damned>intransitive verb :
><http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curse>curse,
><http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swear>swear
There's nothing there about who is doing the
condemning. I understand that many people find
it quite offensive when "God" is put before damn,
but haven't run into many folks that expressed offense at just plain damn.
I am interested if anyone else on the list feels
that theological implication is with the word
damn, or finds them self squirming when they see that word?
Edward
At 07:56 PM 9/4/2009, David Beierl wrote:
>Dear Volks -- I'm a little squirmy about "damn." There are people
>around (me included actually) who take cursing seriously, and that
>really stands for "May God condemn him/her/it to eternal torment"
>which is a pretty serious thing. It's bad theology -- we don't
>believe God works that way -- but that's beside the point. I'm going
>to have to rule it out of order, because if it makes me squirm a bit
>I'm surely not the only one. Dam' or darn or dang or damnation or
>other such are fine, it's clear that it's either just an intensifier
>or definitely a play curse. I'd rather not see dammit though, and
>definitely nothing with a G attached.
>
>As an aside, I have a certain sentimental fondness for "Well shoot
>fire ( I can say it sort of the way she did, but I can't spell
>it. Sort like faaar with a little bit of i mixed in) and save
>matches!" An oldish (must have been at least 40) head nurse I once
>served under used to say it from time to time. It was so funny that
>I didn't make the connection for a long time. Feel free.
>
>Thanks much,
>David
|