Some street mug will come up to a woman and say "Hey lady...." Maybe they don't use it that way in the UK. Kind of rude but not really in the same category as the other two. RR
colin wrote: > Have been reading a heavy book. Part of it is about language and how it > changes and how different languages interpret the world differently and > express certain things differently.(this same book, btw, also talks > about why the USA is considered UScentric by many) > anyway, I was confused about this: > the author writes of how in the 70's and since certain words have become > 'bad' words that should not be used as they offend people. Nigger, queer > and lady were mentioned. > I get the first two words but do not understand the latter. i did not > know it was offensive to use the word lady to describe a woman. No one > has ever pulled me up on it and it is a word I use. I thought it was a > polite way to speak of a woman. > So if you know why, could you explain please?
