Word that should be banned: Cum

Duane   Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:39 pm GMT
Why was this word invented this word to be homophonous with one of the most common verbs in the English language? And now it has entered common usage among the vulgar masses.
dirty mind   Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:43 pm GMT
in fact cum must have something to do with "come". Here it comes...
Cum   Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:01 pm GMT
"Why was this word invented this word to be homophonous with one of the most common verbs in the English language?"

Because it's based on that word you idiot.
Johnny   Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:12 pm GMT
Actually, the "standard" spelling according to most dictionaries is "come", but in practice no one ever spells it that way. It's always "cum". There are no other meanings for the noun "come", so it's not ambiguous. Merriam-Webster says the usage of the noun "come" was noticed in 1923, so it's relatively recent. The alternate spelling "cum", which is actually now the de-facto standard spelling, might have originated in the porn industry.
Duane   Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:41 pm GMT
"Because it's based on that word you idiot. "

That maybe so, but it is still a horrible slang word.
Guest   Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:45 pm GMT
<<That maybe so, but it is still a horrible slang word. >>

I agree. "Jiz" is so much more refined.
Lazar   Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:54 pm GMT
It's also a very learned preposition borrowed from Latin - often used in hyphenated phrases.
Ciceronian   Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:12 pm GMT
cum autem nobis non dicitur, sed nobiscum? quia si ita diceretur, obscenius concurrent litterae.
Ciceronian   Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:54 pm GMT
By the way that translates as.

"cum however nobis it is not said, but nobiscum, because if thus it was said, obscene letters run together"
Poetry   Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:10 pm GMT
What about "virili flumen"?
Johnny   Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:19 am GMT
Also, particularly attractive female students who don't seem to be able to pass certain exams can opt for an "oral examination" to get a little help from the professors, and then they'll be able to graduate CUM laude. There are always a lot of pretty ladies who want to graduate CUM laude, and that's why I want to become a linguistic professor and teach girls how to use their mouths properly.

What French word describes the color of a graduation cum laude?
lady   Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:12 am GMT
boys.. squirt your cum at my face i will gladly drink them all
Achab   Thu Nov 27, 2008 3:29 am GMT
I've seen "cum" used in phrases like "actress-cum-singer" in reference to entertainers with a dual career in the movies industry and the music field.

Take a look:

www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22actress-cum-singer%22&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

In the same vein, Clive Barker is an "actor-cum-director", William Blake is s "painter-cum-poet", and so on.

Do you think such usage is okay, at least in writing, or is likely to provoke a smile?

My guess would be that it sounds more appropriate when used in relation to artists like Blake and Barker (Blake in particular, having made it into the annals of history) rather than in relation to Hollywood harlots like Jennifer Lopez.

Salvete atque valete omnes,

Achab
Samoht   Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:33 am GMT
"Also, particularly attractive female students who don't seem to be able to pass certain exams can opt for an "oral examination" to get a little help from the professors, and then they'll be able to graduate CUM laude. There are always a lot of pretty ladies who want to graduate CUM laude, and that's why I want to become a linguistic professor and teach girls how to use their mouths properly."

this kid watches too much porn
Duane   Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:12 pm GMT
No sir, but come on (not 'c** on', but I mean what is the difference in normal speech?), the usage of vulgar slang in this day and age has gotten out of hand. Soon we'll be reduced to communicating with one series of vulgar slang words after another. The popularity of modern rap music is probably in large part to blame as well. Talk proper English you idiots.