Wednesday, April 18, 2012

What is the definition of "offend"

OK, will attempt to answer my own question,

According to my dictionary -

[Latin; offendere, offensum. - against; to strike.]

Seem simple? Nah.  The "meaning", or "comprehension" - or even 'application' of words change over time; and become extremely 'rubbery'. It all seems to depend on 'context'.

So,  will post a series of images. Will, at this point, ask the readers which one they see as "an offense".







(and yes, there is a 'second part' - and ulterior motive - to this post)

15 comments:

Vincent said...

Your spelling is an offence to me, Davoh, since you are Australian and not American.

However, if anyone is accusing you of any offence, or even, Heaven forbid, an offense, I'll gladly be the first to give you an honest character reference:

"Davoh from Down Under? Never set eyes on him in my life."

Davoh said...

... Never set eyes on him in my life."

Next ......

Vest said...

To offend is to irritate which covers all other explanations.

The plural of offense not in the English Aus dictionary, could be offensive meaning disagreeable.

The word offence is the more commonly used word in strayer. Badly spoken ex colonials who have bastardised the English language have evolved over the past 400 years to become a totally different species of human being.
The word 'Gotton' really cracks me up. My lousy English teacher ex Major A D Bates would have killed anyone using that word.

Davoh said...

um, am contemplating whether to sit on (or get tangled in) 'de fence', on this one .. heh.

Will, Vestie, have to ponder the claim that it is "badly spoken ex colonials" who have "bastardised" the "english language".

'ow c'n ye be an "ex" colonial? EEE, bah goom. Watcher cock. I'se ain't no currency lad.

Will agree that "gotten" is one of the most ugly words in this polyglot language called "English".

Am not quite sure where it 'originated' - but seems to gained traction in that "ex" colony between Canada and Mexico; seems to have also infected "Australian" written communications ..... bleah. Should be more (ex) Major A.D.Bates' around.

BBC said...

Offend: Cause to feel resentment or indignation.

The last picture offends me, and I think you know why.

Davoh said...

Oh, Billy B, you must have posted that comment while self was writing the previous.

Yes, it was intended as a 'tricky' question. Thank you for responding.

Vest said...

Yankee doodles are ex brit colonials, as in were but not now since shedding brit dominance. Stop nit picking.

Davoh said...

WOT?

Davoh said...

.. or should that be "WTF ya on about" Vest.

Davoh said...

.. and yes, "British Naval" jargon may well be incomprehensible to those "not in the know" ..

i might send, or say, a brief message to sailing boat friends "ready about" .

Which, if on board, means that am about to change tack. Go from one point into the wind to another.

Gah ....

Davoh said...

Don't give the shits, Vestie. Have managed to get a 32' (waterline)38'including bowsprit -ketch -
into and out of several places from Westernport, Victoria
to the Mary River (Queensland) .. and a few pottering places in between - hey, 4'6" draft. And yes, did manage to acquire several "radio" licences (VHF, HF)on the way.

Davoh said...

.. and yes, Vest, my boat was a "registered" Australian vessel, and allowed to carry a "red ensign".

It used to amuse me a bit - whenever i saw a "friendly" warship approaching; would run the red ensign up the backstay, "dip" it as they went past.

Except on one occasion. Was pottering out of the Brisbane River when saw two very large, very intimidating warships approaching.

Had no idea who they were.

Until almost broadside. Ah, American. So ran the red ensign up the backstay, waited 'till almost past, kept it there, gave a single finger salute from the cockpit.


mmmm, dunno what that says about my attitudes, but there is a message there, somewhere.

Davoh said...

O, forgot to mention - the "red ensign" belongs to "merchant marine" has nothing to do with "communists".

Vest said...

Interpret Blue Ensign, clever dick.
Also, What is the flag of St George meaning the English rpt English Flag also used to denote.
While your not busy like being not under command and you require a Tug, what Int/Nat flag would you hoist? describe the markings and colours.

BTW I coxed a 32ft fore & main,sloop rigged, drop keel pussers cutter with eight on board, around the Isle of Man in 42 as a 15 year old. Swinging lamps? no mate it was an open boat.

Davoh said...

Jeepers, Vestie ... yer not allowed to make me think! Have never been involved in anything military, so no specific training in that aspect of technicalities; and certainly no training in 'yeomanry' - no need, had HF, VHF and marine CB.

Also been 12 years since i was anywhere near a boat. Did have a full set of signal flags on board, but mainly used them to "dress ship" on special occasions. However, did take the trouble "look it up".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ensign
Quite a few uses, apparently.

The "Red Ensign" - in the Australian concept - is a 'defaced' British Red 'duster', but with the familiar "star" patterns of the current, blue, Australian "National" flag. Any "registered" Australian ship (or boat) is allowed to fly it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Ensign#Australia"

Am a little unclear about the other questions. The flag of St. George is incorporated into the 'current' British "Union Jack". Um, the flag i would use to signal "I require assistance (not distress)" is a white flag with red "X" or 'cross' - the four outer ends of the "X" touching all four corners (denoting the letter "V", oddly enough). Where this signal flag should be 'flown' correctly, is hazy; but my 'signal' halyards were attached to the 'spreader' on the the main mast. There may also be the option of using the 'letter groups "TUG PLS" and hope for the best(and am carefully avoiding any double entendres about 'tugs';). Perhaps you would correct me on this.