Were you offended?

Yes Soontobe, we have all heard of the term.... swarms of people.You constantly ask these 'innocent' questions, I really think it's all tongue in cheek.

I was really responding to TerriBull's post when she was talking about a swarm of people on the London Underground.

It is for some people easy not to be upset or offended by terms that don't apply to them or their families. If you were one of those people, however, you might not appreciate being likened to an insect.

I have never heard of swarm of people. It is not tongue in cheek.

[I can see that my post of 10.28am would have been better written as swarm of people].

One can swarm up a tree as well as across the English Channel.

That's only one interpretation of the word, Eloethan. A swarm can also mean a moving crowd (of people).

I think there has been a bit of swarming up and over fences at Calais by some of the swarm we're talking about.

You can refer to me as part of a swarm of people any time you like, eloethan.

You have heard it now. Don't you agree that it is a good description of a lot of people all rushing toward a single point?

Words are not always just sober plodding terms for dull facts, they can paint a vivid picture for the reader. They are often used creatively round the edges of their usual meaning - that is how they gradually change their meaning, and change their form to look or sound different. They bare not fixed, on stone tablets.

The histories of words can be found in the records of how they have been used in the past and in different countries and how they have developed the way we use them today. You say elsewhere that you have never thought about how words get their meaning. You have missed a lot.

It wouldn't make me any less of an individual.

There are plenty of threads in pedants corner about words having different meanings in different parts of countries.

And sometimes a word can mean something nice or nicish somewhere, and not so nice elsewhere.

If it is not so nice elsewhere, it is not unreasonable for a person not to have liked the use of the word.

And heck. Some posters may not have heard of a word used in that context ever before.

I think most people have heard the word in that context.

Elegran. No I dont think it is a good word as regards people. Because it has offended some people. As it generally refers to insects as far as I know.

[I wrote my above post before reading yours].

One can use the expression "to drone on" of people too.

Yes indeed...

I had a feeling in my water that this would happen. I'm sure some of you will understand to what I refer.

What a fuss about nothing. Swarm.. hardly an offensive word. The media, and people, do love to take offence so easily and start jumping around and being indignant..... all over nothing. It's all poppycock.

I dont think we can know for sure what was in DC's mind when he said it though.

But I dont think he should use the phrase in future. I hope he doesnt. The phrase is not appropriate.

Elegran Don't worry about the weather. I have been promised that it will be sorted out within the next week in time for my trip to Cornwall. I expect there will then be swarms of people moving around the country if they are not worried as being labelled as such.

Soon Have a look at a decent dictionary.

Thatbags

ginny. When Eloethan speaks as she does about her family members, I think it is right not to carry on using the phrase on gransnet.

Did Eleothan specifically refer to her family, soontobe, or are you just making assumptions again?

soontobe As I said if you look n a dictionary you will find that the term has been and is used to describe large numbers of things, insects, people moving about . Therefore what is there to be offended about ?

Bzz bzz bzz .....