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cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

53. Since you asked, "You've got balls" is more intrinsically offensive

Sun Jul 15, 2012, 01:11 AM

Jul 2012

But as used today, "Mighty white of you," is more offensive in practice.

"Mighty white of you" is one of those things that takes on a racial implication, but most likely didn't start that way.

White meant good, and black bad, in English before most English speaking people knew Africa existed. (White magic is good, black magic is bad, etc.. People commit "black deeds", have a "back heart," White knights rescue you... etc..)

It's use in America, on the other hand, cannot escape racial connotation, and it is thus offensive and Americans who use the phrase are clearly up to no good.

Today is used by black people ironically, meaning stinginess or doing the bare minimum.

The "testicles are the source of strength, courage, conviction," thing seems to be so central to people's modes of expression that they cannot convey the concept except in those terms, so it's here to stay.

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what's the difference between "you've got balls" and "that's mighty white of you?" [View all] StarryNight Jul 2012 OP

Oh good. The Oppression Olympics. Robb Jul 2012 #1

certainly; i'm simply saying they're both wrong. nt StarryNight Jul 2012 #9

"Admitted repeat zombie, multiple posts gender and race bating." buh-bye Electric Monk Jul 2012 #39

What is it, goddamn Asshole Homecoming Week? Robb Jul 2012 #65

Schwetty Balls? Arctic Dave Jul 2012 #2

Well I'm ball-less nc4bo Jul 2012 #3

I'm female, elleng Jul 2012 #6

yes, it's a figure of speech, but then so is "mighty white of you." StarryNight Jul 2012 #14

You're probably correct about the origins, elleng Jul 2012 #22

and i suppose all those other folks ought to get past the insults against them StarryNight Jul 2012 #30

I said nothing about others, elleng Jul 2012 #36

I'm pretty sure they don't rhyme... cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #4

Plus Duer 157099 Jul 2012 #24

ballsy post. mighty white of you to post that. dionysus Jul 2012 #5

heh heh. at least that was funny. nt StarryNight Jul 2012 #23

Worlds of difference the other one Jul 2012 #7

wow. just wow. and who says that somebody might not genuinely, but ignorantly, StarryNight Jul 2012 #17

That's not what was said. The post said CONDESCENDING, not COMPLIMENTARY. MADem Jul 2012 #34

Um. What? the other one Jul 2012 #64

You've got major nipples to bring that up. n/t Ian David Jul 2012 #8

One's a compliment and the other's an insult. nolabear Jul 2012 #10

True, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2012 #19

which is why I like "that takes the balls of a brass monkey." It's got balls and monkey in the same CTyankee Jul 2012 #69

so it's a "compliment" to say that a woman is like a man? ok. nuff said. nt StarryNight Jul 2012 #20

Sometimes it is, but that's a twisted reading of it. Liking one thing nolabear Jul 2012 #35

Origin of the Word "Virtue" SoDesuKa Jul 2012 #63

is aggression, violence, and impulsive behavior really a good thing? maybe in some StarryNight Jul 2012 #26

Exactly, calling someone white... gregoire Jul 2012 #31

Excuse me? "White" people responsible for institution of slavery? cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #54

NO ONE says "that's mighty white of ya" to a black person. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #52

Hmmm, I never heard it that way. It seems a sarcastic reference to me. txwhitedove Jul 2012 #66

i have never heard it as a compliment arely staircase Jul 2012 #67

Ovaries are balls, too. Odin2005 Jul 2012 #11

i suppose you could say that, but it's a stretch. nt StarryNight Jul 2012 #21

"i've been on DU since the beginning" Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #12

oh, i've been here since the very beginning, but i have this way of getting banned... StarryNight Jul 2012 #18

And doggone it--looks like it happened to you AGAIN! nt MADem Jul 2012 #37

With the moon in your eye like a big pizza pie Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #41

Good grief, will she never give up? nt MADem Jul 2012 #46

Seriously? Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #47

I guess not! nt MADem Jul 2012 #48

i feel dumb arely staircase Jul 2012 #72

Iverglas, izzat you? Odin2005 Jul 2012 #50

DU search is your friend........... Historic NY Jul 2012 #13

Why? Does that discussion preclude for all time any others? pnwmom Jul 2012 #29

Selective chronological outrage. flvegan Jul 2012 #15

That took some mighty white balls for you to post. Dr. Strange Jul 2012 #38

You are a hateful individual. flvegan Jul 2012 #44

THAT, is sarcastic comedy gold. N/T cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #55

As Professor Auguste Balls would say, Turbineguy Jul 2012 #16

Another thread about balls... Just start leaving them hanging. nt Comrade_McKenzie Jul 2012 #25

what, off the back of your pick-up truck? ha ha. nt StarryNight Jul 2012 #27

+1. n/t pnwmom Jul 2012 #28

Societal context is what matters. "you've got balls" is never implied to be derogatory of women. phleshdef Jul 2012 #32

Looks like May 2012..you've been TS'd before, eh? pipoman Jul 2012 #33

..... and again tonight. Hassin Bin Sober Jul 2012 #40

~snick~ pipoman Jul 2012 #51

one is sexism and the other is racism Skittles Jul 2012 #42

S'long, Kid. You had balls, I'll give you that. nolabear Jul 2012 #43

sleep well, sweet, sweet prince... dionysus Jul 2012 #45

Pretty impressive shitstirring for such a one as yourself......... kestrel91316 Jul 2012 #49

I'm guessing that's why the aforementioned shitstirrer was PPR'd Major Nikon Jul 2012 #61

Since you asked, "You've got balls" is more intrinsically offensive cthulu2016 Jul 2012 #53

"mighty white of you" cwydro Jul 2012 #56

It's NOT an insult because it's normally spoken by a white person to a white person. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #57

We're going to have to disagree. cwydro Jul 2012 #59

It's a distinction without a difference. NO white person says to a black person... cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #60

I've heard it used both ways gollygee Jul 2012 #71

Yup, everytime I've heard "that's mighty white of you" it's intended as an insult Raine Jul 2012 #62

"You've got balls" is more often used not as a trope, but "that's mighty..." is often used trackfan Jul 2012 #58

balls arely staircase Jul 2012 #68

Similarly, calling someone a "dick" is considered a rather mild insult, while c*** is nuclear... Romulox Jul 2012 #70

cute? nt arely staircase Jul 2012 #73

That's the one! nt Romulox Jul 2012 #74