Shit floats up in the Register of Language
August 8, 2016 9:29 AM Subscribe
Discussions of Babylon The registers of language are discussed here. The intimate register of language is also called the language of harassment, swearing, and bullying happen here, and as such, the intimate register is considered improper in the workplace, or academia. It appears that the word Shit has received a promotion, rising to the fourth or even the third register of language. This may seem like old news.
This set of lines from The Guardian, chose the word, because of impact and internal rhyme. It could have been written crap all over history, but then the satisfying smack of cheeky poetic license is lost.
"Sections of the Processional Way, having shed their glazed revetment, glowed in the sun like giant teeth decorated with Nebuchadnezzar’s “awful dragons” and bulls. A colony of pigeons landed among the high-walled ruins to rest in the sun and shit all over history."
This set of lines from The Guardian, chose the word, because of impact and internal rhyme. It could have been written crap all over history, but then the satisfying smack of cheeky poetic license is lost.
"Sections of the Processional Way, having shed their glazed revetment, glowed in the sun like giant teeth decorated with Nebuchadnezzar’s “awful dragons” and bulls. A colony of pigeons landed among the high-walled ruins to rest in the sun and shit all over history."
This post was deleted for the following reason: Heya, this is a little bit on the opaque and "here's my personal opinion" side for the framing of a post on the front page. If there's something specifically interesting here in the links themselves above and beyond just "shit" being in print in this context, maybe give this another go that conveys that in a more straightforward fashion. -- cortex
It happens.
posted by carter at 10:47 AM on August 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by carter at 10:47 AM on August 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by hat_eater at 9:53 AM on August 8, 2016