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Political incorrectness I do miss it!

(250 Posts)
NanKate Wed 18-Jun-14 20:35:00

There are so many things it is now inappropriate to make jokes about.

As I said on another thread my grandmother was a scriptwriter for my grandad in the music hall. He would tell jokes to the audience about his wife that would now be thought inappropriate. My Nan used to laugh as she had written them all.

I used to love watching 'Life on Mars' at D.I. Gene Hunt with all his sexist comments. I didn't agree with what he said, just how he said it.

Have we lost our sense of humour ?

annodomini Sat 21-Jun-14 09:26:15

You've jogged my memory, feeetle about a talk I heard once on radio about Polari which was a made-up language of a sub-culture, and much used by gay men, as it was on Round the Horne. All the words you mention were used in this language.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari

Elegran Sat 21-Jun-14 10:15:12

Thank you for the link, Anno, very interesting.

NanKate Mon 23-Jun-14 21:36:44

Thanks for the explanation Feetlebaum.

Can you explain your name or is that Polari too ?

busybee08 Mon 14-Jul-14 17:51:19

rosequartz..
I've read a lot of your posting...I think you could be my twin.lol

Dont know boyle..jimmie carr can't say i know him either...

comedians are not the same as they used to be.I really dont watch them on TV as to many have disappointed me.....with their f---ing and blinding.. I almost feel sorry for them that they have to resort to such bad language to get a laugh.....

rosequartz Mon 14-Jul-14 18:05:32

Busybee grin

Although I must say I found Billy Connolly funny (DH used to say 'but why does he have to swear?).
Don't know because he would have been funnier still without it.

We know someone who was a comedy scriptwriter and he comes out with off-the-cuff quips and one-liners all the time (comments on what is happening so not old jokes)- have never heard him swear.

TriciaF Tue 15-Jul-14 15:14:08

Does anyone watch Mrs. Brown's Boys? I only saw snips of it and she seems to swear a lot so I avoided it.
But it's very popular - so where does she/he fit in the non-PC scale?
I like Jack Dee too, wish he would do another series of Lead Balloon.

Tegan Tue 15-Jul-14 15:35:17

Mrs Browns Boys is one of those programmes that I don't make a point of watching but love it when I do. Another one is QI. I was watching it last night and laughing my head off; at the same time wondering why I don't make a POINT of watching because it makes me feel so happy confused. I loved Lead Balloon as well; the Polish housekeeper was the best bit. I don't like the way that Billy Connolly laughs at his own jokes although I still remember the first time I heard him on an LP played at a friends house [that's how long ago it was]. He was so groundbreaking at the time.

Bensma Tue 15-Jul-14 17:26:58

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HollyDaze Tue 15-Jul-14 17:28:22

I like Jack Dee too - I like Jack Dee as well, there's something about grumpy humour that tickles me - same with Victor Meldrew.

I don't like gratuitious swearing in any context but have accepted it's part of modern life. I've also taken to laughing at comedians who are wordsmiths - Stewart Francis is one and there's another that's on Mock The Week a fair bit but can't remember his name. I know Stewart Francis isn't particularly politically correct but I still find him funny grin

rosequartz Tue 15-Jul-14 23:01:10

Good for your DD, bensma. It's not funny, it's vile and also lazy - obviously he hasn't got the talent or brains to think up a truly humorous routine.

Can't say I have heard of some of these 'comedians'.

Eloethan Tue 15-Jul-14 23:44:02

Whilst your daughter Bensma may think the word "chinky" is OK, I think many Chinese people would not agree. I don't see people who object to it as being "politically correct" but as being sensitive to the feelings of others.

Bensma Wed 16-Jul-14 13:53:33

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rosequartz Wed 16-Jul-14 19:08:40

I used to walk a pekingese dog called 'Chinky' when I was a child (not my dog, just used to take him out and we loved each other!). That was nearly 60 years ago!

Nonu Wed 16-Jul-14 19:14:30

All this PC, TBH gets on my pip a bit !

Different races have names for us also, lets not kid ourselves !

Ana Wed 16-Jul-14 19:15:11

Well, it wasn't an un-PC word in those days, rosequartz! grin

rosequartz Wed 16-Jul-14 19:20:12

I can still see his little face, bottom teeth showing as he grinned at me wink

Oh, yes, they have names for us I am sure!

Eloethan Wed 16-Jul-14 21:39:29

I did read your post Bensma (though I'm sorry I thought it was your daughter who'd made the remark when it was in fact your sister) and I applaud your daughter for her actions.

However, I do not think the term "chinky" is acceptable in this day and age, whether or not some Chinese people still use it as a sort of shorthand for Chinese food. The fact that some people go along with and eventually "internalise" tha names and roles that are ascribed to them by the dominant culture does not make it OK to perpetuate it. As I've said before, many immigrants feel vulnerable and will even allow their name to be changed to an English one rather than risk being seen as "difficult".

Bensma Thu 17-Jul-14 08:17:14

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

feetlebaum Thu 17-Jul-14 08:33:32

@Nankate - only just seen your request re my username....

Back in the 1940s, Spike Jones numbered among his City Slickers, a comedian named Doodles Weaver, who recorded a spoof horse race commentary routine set to the "Light Cavalry" overture... the last horse named every time, lagging in the rear was always Feetlebaum. It was one of two silly names Doodles was fond of using - the other being Pootwaddle... I just liked Feetlebaum (many folks think Doodles said 'Beetlebaum' - that's 1940s recording for you!)

Doodles's real name was (deep breath) Winstead Sheffield Glenndenning Dixon Weaver, and he was Sigourney Weaver's uncle.

feetlebaum Thu 17-Jul-14 08:37:20

Oi vey - I'm an idiot - it was The "William Tell" Overture that the race commentary was on, not "Light Cavalry"...

NanKate Thu 17-Jul-14 08:52:21

Thanks for the explanation Feetlebaum.

Was the William Tell overture also the music for the Lone Ranger ?

hildajenniJ Thu 17-Jul-14 09:04:47

You are correct Nankate the William Tell overture was the sig. tune to the Lone Ranger. I loved that show when I was a girl. My little sister not so keen, she used to hide behind the sofa and watch around the side.grin

rosequartz Thu 17-Jul-14 09:54:00

Of course, the Lone Ranger would probably not be considered politically correct these days. Although, of course, Tonto was probably far cleverer than the LR.

feetlebaum Thu 17-Jul-14 17:03:37

Somebody defined an intellectual as someone who could listen to the William Tell Overture without visualising the Lone Ranger.

Ana Thu 17-Jul-14 17:06:49

There must be a lot of intellectuals around these days then - no one under 50 will have even heard of the Lone Ranger, never mind watched it! grin