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>
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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