Quote ="El Barbudo"I don't like Gervais or his sneery kind of humour, so I switch him off when he's on TV. I don't like the [iDaily Mail[/i or its self-centred harrumphing up its own arris, so I don't buy it. I had never even heard the word "Mong" before this story broke (maybe I live in a different bubble) but I gather that it is a derogatory term for people with Down's Syndrome. From that, I have to assume that Gervais is a prat, unless there's something that I've missed. But I'll keep an eye on this thread because there may be more about this word that I don't know. e.g. Can anyone give me an example of when it is considered OK to use the word?'" www.chortle.co.uk/news/2012/01/2 ... r_mong_gag Although he said that, ‘When she first came on the telly, I went, “Is that a mong?”,’ he insisted: ‘I don't mean she has Down’s Syndrome, by the way. No! No that would be offensive. That word doesn't mean that any more.’ And they claimed the joke was not directed at Susan Boyle as having a disability but ‘...at those who refuse to acknowledge that the meanings of words can adapt over time’.

Quote ="El Barbudo"I don't like Gervais or his sneery kind of humour, so I switch him off when he's on TV. I don't like the [iDaily Mail[/i or its self-centred harrumphing up its own arris, so I don't buy it. I had never even heard the word "Mong" before this story broke (maybe I live in a different bubble) but I gather that it is a derogatory term for people with Down's Syndrome. From that, I have to assume that Gervais is a prat, unless there's something that I've missed. But I'll keep an eye on this thread because there may be more about this word that I don't know. e.g. Can anyone give me an example of when it is considered OK to use the word?'" www.chortle.co.uk/news/2012/01/2 ... r_mong_gag Although he said that, ‘When she first came on the telly, I went, “Is that a mong?”,’ he insisted: ‘I don't mean she has Down’s Syndrome, by the way. No! No that would be offensive. That word doesn't mean that any more.’ And they claimed the joke was not directed at Susan Boyle as having a disability but ‘...at those who refuse to acknowledge that the meanings of words can adapt over time’.

popwatch.ew.com/2012/01/20/hitle ... y-gervais/

popwatch.ew.com/2012/01/20/hitle ... y-gervais/

Some people will find mong funny. Some won't.

One thing you can be sure of is that the "thought nazis" of the world will be trying to prove how offensive things are, to tell us what's right and what's wrong so that if we dare laugh, we can be riddled with shame and guilt.

You can laugh at it.
You can be offended by it.

I don't think any word should be off limits, or that anything should be considered "too offensive" for a comedian to say. If we are going to have free speech, we can't be selective about when that applies. The only possible exception to this should be where there is clear evidence of a person inciting violence. "Mong" isn't a word I'd use myself, or one I find particularly funny, but if Gervais wants to use it in his act, it's up to his audience to decide whether they continue watching his show or not.

I must be one of those "thought nazis" then.
It's a free country of sorts and people have the freedom to laugh at the word if they like but anyone who finds that word funny should grow up and think a bit.

I fully agree with the last part of your post, but that's not a reason for censorship, is it?

The freedom of speech doesn't necessary mean the freedom to abuse. However I do think that Ricky has gone about this in the right way at the right place.

Out of Interest. What puts you in such a position that you feel the need to tell people to "grow up and think a bit" about a word.

My position is the same as yours, i.e. I am expressing my opinion on a message board.

The reason I hold that opinion is because offence is often avoidable and unnecessary, usually unfunny and, in this case, deeply distasteful ... as a moment's thought would tell anyone.

As a disabled person I don't find this offensive, and although I think anybody should be able to say whatever they like to who ever they like I do wonder why anyone would want to call anyone a mong, or a spaz, or spacca or any other similar put down. Surely a comedian can come up with something a bit more clever about Susan Boyle than simply saying she looks like a "mong".

That's one of the most annoying thing about it. It's so f'n lazy. Surely a comedian who thinks as much of himself as Gervais does can do better than this?

Sadly he seems to content to pander to those who think he is being daring, and somehow 're-claiming' a word.

Hang on, Gervais has both apologised, and admitted that his use of the word was both naïve, and never intended to refer to people with disabilities.

He was speaking to the mother of children with disabilities who had rightly taken him to task, a Mrs. Clark;

"Do you understand why people got upset by it?’, to which Gervais replied: ‘I do now. Never dreamed that idiots still use that word aimed at people with Down’s Syndrome. Still find it hard to believe.’
Asked how the anger towards his use of the word had made him feel, Gervais continued: ‘A mixture of confusion, anger, terror and disappointment. But mostly naïve. Never meant the word like that and never word. (sic)’ (meaning would)"
[urlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051938/Ricky-Gervais-admits-naive-offensive-remarks-Twitter.html#ixzz1kUfibvnr[/url

Of course he could have sorted the situation rather than putting his foot in it on Twitter and making it worse, and the situation did reflect badly on him, but now he's explained and apologised I fail to see why folk ignore that and pretend he hasn't.

Although I struggle to accept that one as supposedly witty and urbane as Jervais could be as naive as he claims. I am reminded of someone on here who often used the term "window licker", until the popular meaning of the word was pointed out to him. As to Jervais's apology I wouldn't have known about the original incident unless someone thought it necessary to post on here, so I'm hardly likely to look anywhere else for any subsequent action.

Big difference is that I haven't told anyone to do anything like yourself.

As for offence, isn't your opinion that, those people who aren't offended by the word mong, "should grow up and think a bit." A bit instructive isn't it?

Codead, why Jervais?

Why Jervais what?

Sheldon, why Codead?

I haven't "told" anyone what to think, I have expressed my opinion (the word "should" in the phrase "should grow up and think a bit" is the clue there).
I guess you'd prefer I used a phrase like "thought nazis" so as not to be instructive?


Firstly there's a big difference between "people who aren't offended" and "people who find the word funny" (the second of which is the term I used.)
Secondly, no, it's not instructive, it's an opinion.

Interesting to note that you chose to be a tad condescending in your reply. Hinting at your "clue" and guessing (incorrectly) what others think or believe.

Anyhow El B. Your opinions are fine as opinions. It's just the manner and what appears to be that you think people should behave in a certain way, which happens to be your way. People may CHOOSE to do, rather than SHOULD do anything. Suggesting that people "should grow up and think a bit" because they don't have your opinion, will be offensive to some. We're not going to please everyone all of the time. Neither clearly, is Ricky Gervais.

So, if not a reference to a person with Downs, what is the new meaning of the word "mong" and what does a person who looks like a f*****g mong typically look like, i.e. to what image is Susan Boyle being compared?

Why are you spelling his name like that?

I'm not trying to be the spelling police just wondered if it was a gag what I'm not getting?

Why are you spelling his name like that?

I'm not trying to be the spelling police just wondered if it was a gag what I'm not getting?

If someone finds the worg "Mong" funny, then I really don't care whether they are offended by my opinion of that.
Indeed, the offence is a bit of a bonus.

Anyway, can we leave this now?, you are getting more preachily didactic than me ... and that takes some doing ...

OK. Will do. They do say that what you don't like in others is something you don't like about yourself.




Moving on...