Were you offended?

I agree, Riverwalk.

river, I might well use the word swarm in those contexts you suggest (Chatsworth, child's party), but I would say it lightheartedly and with a smile on my face, making it perfectly obvious that nobody and nothing need feel slighted in any way whatsoever. If someone were to "be offended" by such a use I would regard their offence-taking as very silly.

Anya. Your post at 07.47. Exactly what I wanted to say but mine was put in a way that I thought would be easily understood. But it appears I'm wrong.

petra but it also doesn't reflect well on others, does it?

soon, this is for you. Way back in the thread you said that you thought my sentence about offence-taking being evidence of intolerance could be racist. If I had spoken in a different context, for example, where someone was actually complaining about a racist slur, I would have agreed with you that what I said could be interpreted as containing racism. However, that was not the context in question, not by a very long chalk, therefore, logically, what I said could only be regarded as racist by someone contorting its meaning. That is what you seem to be doing on this thread with more of my comments.

So here's back at you, politely of course: if I stretch and twist the meaning of some of your comments in the same way as you stretched and contorted mine, a certain word pops up in my head. The word is trolling. So, yes, your 'zipping it' might be a good idea.

However, I do look forward to your next over-simplistic interpretation of something someone has said because it's quite funny to observe such shaky towers and to knock them down. Yes, I'm playing my inner child.

words as weapons

Deja vu

That was re soon. I didn't refresh

This thread has some interesting comments and the consensus seems to be that the use of the word swarm was contextually correct. I wasn't offended by what he said but I'm struggling with what to do about those people in Calais, the pressure on French/British services of so many vulnerable people. Kent children's services has no vacancies in its foster/children's homes. This must have huge knock on effect on children from Kent who may now be shipped anywhere else in the country if they can't be safely kept at home or within their families. I'm "offended" by that, but suspect I am using the word incorrectly.

Soon - I may be wrong about this, but having just read through (quickly) the comments on this thread, what occurs to me is that you are trying to make it all about you

Iam64. "What occurs to me is that you are trying to make it all about you"
Exactly what I meant in my post on Friday 12.15
Somehow it always does.

Way back in the thread you said that you thought my sentence about offence-taking being evidence of intolerance could be racist

No I didnt. Not at all.

Iam64. Your comments about Kent SS. This is what angers me with people who have the attitude of 'come one, come all' why should our own children suffer.

The amount of deflections used is quite breathtaking.

Another one is "you are trying to make it all about you".

And on and on they go.

Words dont and cant and shouldnt be allowed to be used to cover up things.

Bags why would you need to say the word in my hypothetical contexts in a lighthearted way with a smile on my face ?

It suggests that 'swarm' when referring to humans is usually negative.

A swarm always looks black to me.
I think that is what has upset some people too. Colour.

8 Pages on whether the use of the word "swarm" in the context it was used could be deemed as pejorative. Amazing! I know I've been part of a "swarm" on many occasions, as previously stated, particularly when I was part of a mass of bodies swarming in and out of the London Underground and yes I think it occurred to many, our daily routine replicated that of an insect, albeit with a longer life span. I don't find that premise insulting in any way. I think we live in a world now where innocent expressions are scrutinised to the enth degree and sometimes an assumption, that maybe fits in with a general disapproval of the person who uttered the remark, is reached that they intentionally used the expression in a derogatory way. A while ago an elderly woman who was a participant in a council meeting used the expression "Chinese Whispers" a member of the audience complained that she was being racist and I believe this confused octagenarian , a conscientious person who had immersed herself in good works for the community, was hauled before some sort of a committee where it was deemed that she was no longer suitable to continue in the role she had. Although opinion could be split on whether that phrase is insulting, in the same way as "swarm" is deemed contentious when used about a mass of people, it's a grey area and really insults can be found anywhere if one were to look hard enough, we don't all perceive language in the same way. Nevertheless, It's kind of an infinitesimal splitting of hairs, when many communities around the world face racism, homophobia, misogyny and religious persecution on unprecedented scales.

Oh S2B You really are a wind up merchant. Did your zip break ?

Cue.. lack of understanding, accusations of bullying etc. etc.

Swarms may look black,but black swarms, such as birds look amazing, it's all to do with perception Soontobe.

For heaven's sake what a ridiculous thread this has turned into. I can't believe that grown mature educated adults are bickering away about the use of words that were not used intentionally by anyone to offend anyone! There is a mammoth problem on both sides of the channel and indeed throughout the world, and snipping and sniping about who was deliberately offensive and who wasn't, who meant what and who didn't is idiotic. We all express ourselves differently and no one is being deliberately derogatory to anyone. The word swarm is perfectly acceptable, whether it's describing children, old ladies, a crowd on a beach or whatever, regardless of race, colour or creed. The word jungle was used by an interviewer, because that is the name given to the camp by the people who occupy it and no body else. It was not used as a racial slur, and it's beyond me why anyone should imply that it was.
I'm out of this increasingly nonsensical conversation.

S2B. That wasn't a deflection, that was a 'in your face'

I thought the use of swarm was wrong but I didn't think it was racist, it did dehumanise the asylum seekers though, this is shown by them being compared with bees , suppose if he had said they were herding it would have been acceptable for some because we talk of herds of cows .

Petra, I am aware of worldwide poverty so wouldn't need you to show me any country in Europe thank you

And on you still go!! (Shakes head in disbelief!)

Much as I dislike the man and would love to say he was being offensive in fact it seems to be correct. The on-line free dictionary says:
An aggregation of persons or animals, especially when in turmoil or moving in mass: "A swarm of friends congratulated him."

Never mind I'm sure he will do or say something I can complain about very soon!!!

I hadn't thought of the colour thing relating to "swarm"! Good point soon. Ill thought out phrasing all round.

I'm now starting to convince myself that DC is a closet racist! (I'll bet many of his Oxforshire posh friends are)