Ever notice how the word "dude" can blunt or lessen an insult or offensive phrase?

Duuude...you're awesome. You're right.

And being called an asshat just doesn't seem as ugly as being called an asshole.

You shouldn't make me think these deep thoughts, dang ya.

have heard this one a lot: "You need to chill out, dude."
Does seem soften the statement. Good observation.

Why would anyone use a "softener" to mitigate such statement? Is it for one does not really wish to call the name at all? Or do they just not wish to get decked for the name calling?

Seems pretty transparent to call a name with a softener. Kinda like giving a "backhanded" compliment.

Why bother making the statement if one is going to mitigate or lessen it in any manner?

Christine

ETA: If ya feel one needs to chill and you must say it (don't know why one would HAVE to, but...) why mitigate the statement?

It is not right or wrong - just wondering why...

willfulone said:

Why would anyone use a "softener" to mitigate such statement? Is it for one does not really wish to call the name at all? Or do they just not wish to get decked for the name calling?

Seems pretty transparent to call a name with a softener. Kinda like giving a "backhanded" compliment.

Why bother making the statement if one is going to mitigate or lessen it in any manner?

Christine

Click to expand...

You answered your own question.

The thing is that in the movies, getting decked usually leads to lots of sympathy nookie. In real life, it usually results in the girl saying, "Dude, you're an asshat," and walking off.

I think it depends entirely on the user, and the context

Worst thread ever dude.

I think the word dude is a dud. I hate when people in meatspace use it. Ack. I look at them derisively and try to visually cleanse my space of their idiocy. "Be gone," I beg of them. Idiots.

Since I may be a 'dudette', but am certainly not a 'dude', I would find the insult even more insulting.

MM

KTC said:

I think the word dude is a dud. I hate when people in meatspace use it. Ack. I look at them derisively and try to visually cleanse my space of their idiocy. "Be gone," I beg of them. Idiots.

Click to expand...

Bite me, Dude.

Rolling Thunder said:

Bite me, Dude.

Click to expand...

How does one bite a big yellow dot who is all teeth?

Very carefully.

Unique said:

You answered your own question.

Click to expand...

You think is for not wishing to get decked?

I was wondering, I did not think that was the answer at all, just tossed out a supposition.

Interesting.

Christine

When I first saw this thread I thought, dude! But then I read the OP and I was more like, dude.

Then KTC comes along and I'm all like, dude.

But then RT says 'Bite me', and dude, that was mango. Seriously, dude.

Now I'm more like dude than dude. Ya know what I mean, dude?

you all suck dudes


p.s. this is a good example of how important the comma is...

maestrowork said:

you all suck dudes

Click to expand...

Dude?

Fun without commas.

Joe270 said:

Fun without commas.

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Is that a comma comma comma comedian?

Karma, dude. Instant Karma's gonna get you.

Karma suitcha, dude.

Twisted sex? I've seen pictures.

Looks like too much work, and one might 'get bent', if you know what I mean. (Guys from the waterbed era know exactly what I mean.)

Get bent, dude. Now give me back my man card.

the card is right there if you'd just reach around, bent duuudde.

Duuude! Just sayin' ya' know...

dddddd0000d!