Word of the Day
The word of the day is pansy. Hockey Night commentator Mike Milbury used the term “pansification” to describe the impact of banning fighting in the NHL a couple weeks ago. Now a gay-rights group has complained to the CBC about his use of the term.
So what does pansy mean? The trusty Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it:
pan·sy: 1: a garden plant (Viola wittrockiana)
2: a usually disparaging a weak or effeminate man or boy. b usually disparaging: a male homosexual.
Now I don’t know what Milbury was thinking when he used the term, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t describing a flower. CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay said “the way the language evolves over time, 20 or 30 years ago it would have been seen, reasonably enough, as a direct slur against gay people… But I think with usage now, I’m not sure the association is so immediate.”
A letter to the editor in the Globe and Mail today says “Politically correct attacks on seemingly mild language have grown tiresome over the years… his preferred term seems more quaint than insulting.”
So what do you think, did Milbury go to far? Is pansy a gay slur, or has it lost that meaning?
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I think the insult intended was undeserved. Messrs. Cherry and Milbury are there to give their opinions, whether I like the opinions presented or not.
Also, based on a letter of comment in the Globe and Mail this morning, I think the word “pansification” will be have to be treated as a compliment re: one’s durability from now on.
I equate the term pansy with wimpy.
Just a sucks now means lousy or terrible.
The problem is not the word but the intent behind the comments. The implication is that those who don’t want to fight are less than full men. Or that fighters are real men. Another CBC headline is about the kid that who has a YouTube anti-fighting piece. So we have highly paid, CBC promoted fighting proponents vs. a real kid with real concerns that will affect his whole life. His campaign is amateur (in the best sense). Put the kid in coach’s corner and I’ll be coming back to HNIC.
I don’t think he meant any harm and if he has even a single brain cell remaining, he will immediately and clearly apologize and let the matter drop.
Seriously. You apologize to your wife eve when it’s her fault. How hard is it to apologize for something you didn’t mean to do but that you now realize hurt people’s feelings.
As I would tell my four year old, “Well sweetie, I know you didn’t think the stick would hurt your sister….Yes, I know you didn’t mean to…But she still got hurt, didn’t she…why don’t you just say sorry to her so she knows you mean it and we’ll all go outside and play.”
Mike, did you catch all that?
pansy a pretty flower and wimpy man just a word no more no less
But Ahnold can use the term Girlyman?
There is no doubt the point of the term “pansification” is to characterize the sport as becoming less aggressive. But can anyone cite a common example where calling someone a “pansy” isn’t ever a critique of their masculinity?
If it’s the aggressive style of play you’re mourning, say so. If you don’t like a rule or policy, explain your concerns with the rule. And perhaps take a couple of seconds and think about what you’re gonna say before you open your gob.
And Ahnold got called on the carpet for girlyman and apologized.
John, have you heard of Quentin Crisp and his book and movie “The Naked Civil Servant”?
The word “pansy” has a long history of being used as a way of trying to demean some people.
It was replaced with “Homo”, and more recently “Faggot”.
All of the words refer to being in the state of homosexuality.
They don’t refer to courage or intelligence.