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Deleted user
17 Oct 2021
Question about English (US)
Is "Where is that bonehead brother of mine?" considered offensive? It's from one book (Sweet Surrender: An age-gap, grumpy boss romance) The one who asked that asked it from her mother and the mother didn't scold about calling her brother a "bonehead" so I assume it's not offensive. Still, I think that that sentence is really weird is kind of saying "Where is that stupid brother of mine?
Is "Where is that bonehead brother of mine?" considered offensive? It's from one book (Sweet Surrender: An age-gap, grumpy boss romance) The one who asked that asked it from her mother and the mother didn't scold about calling her brother a "bonehead" so I assume it's not offensive. Still, I think that that sentence is really weird is kind of saying "Where is that stupid brother of mine?
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- English (US)
@Babbaaabaa I think the level of offensiveness depends on relationship dynamics and whether the person being called the name finds it offensive. Any outsider to the relationship might think the sister is being mean, but if the family relationship normalizes joking/name calling, then they would not find it offensive
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Deleted user
@chunbun So that wasn't offensive? I have other example: "I hope you learned your lesson, bonehead" from the movie Big hero 6. Do you think this was mean and offensive? (the older brother said it to the younger brother hoping the younger one learned from his mistakes)
- English (US)
@Babbaaabaa the example from Big Hero 6 is not considered offensive, it’s considered light name-calling/joking bc the brothers have a good relationship.
Generally speaking, the insult is offensive, but it depends on the context, relationship, etc.
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@chunbun Okay, thank you. I guess you have seen the movie? How about "What were you thinking, knucklehead?" is that offensive or mean?
And one thing yet, someone told me that adding "knucklehead" and "bonehead" softens the sentences a little because the big brother "lightens the mood". Do you agree?
- English (US)
@Babbaaabaa yes I have seen the movie. And yes, sometimes a little name-calling can soften the tension (aka lighten the mood) of the situation. It would be more hurtful in that situation for the older brother to say the younger was an idiot or moron. Again, the level of offensiveness depends on the context, quality of relationship, tone of voice, etc; if it’s a bad relationship, or if the words are said with a mean spirit then those words will feel more hurtful
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@chunbun Okay, thank you. And Tadashi's "knucklehead" and "bonehead" do soften the sentences? Could you still tell how Tadashi adding an insulting word like "knucklehead" and "bonehead" do soften the sentences? Because I thought they were insults and always used in a mean way. Thank you!
- English (US)
@Babbaaabaa these words are normally used as insults. But depending on the context, tone of voice, relationship/rapport, etc, they may not feel insulting
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@chunbun Okay, thank you. I'm still wondering why it lighten the mood. Is it because the other one is teasing?
- English (US)
@Babbaaabaa it lightens the mood bc it’s considered teasing, but it’s considered teasing and not an insult bc the brothers have a good relationship with each other
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