Ok, I have been a longtime intermittent listener, and have one serious pet peeve. The use of the word disrespect as a verb grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. I don't know why, but it does. Respect as a verb is fine, but I always thought that you treat someone with disrespect. Anyone else out there have a perspective? I always wanted to ask this question, but didn't want to call in.
Thanks for raising the question, Russianrat. (Boy, do I wonder about the stories behind the forum names people choose!) 🙂
Anyway, "disrespect" is an interesting one. The earliest citation of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary goes all the way back to the year 1614, so it has quite a long history indeed. Of course, it's not a word I ever heard with any frequency growing up, but it's gained a lot more currency in recent years, especially among urban youth, so it feels like a newly minted word to lots of people.
I found it a little jarring when I first started hearing it, but I've come to like it. Anyone else? Is it that different from, say, "dishonor"?
What is really strange is that I have no issue with "respecting someone", its just disrepecting someone that causes me problems.
The forum name is a combination of a couple of things. First, I worked as an interpreter for several years (you guessed it, Russian). Second, I am a fan of the fiction of Haruki Murakami, who in the book "A Wild Sheep Chase" had a character named "The Rat", on top of that rat (in russian Krysa) was a nickname I picked up once upon a time. So there you have it.
Ah, well your forum name is a Lot more interesting than mine, RR!
As for "disrespect," on reflection, I'm not sure "dishonor" is a good analogy, since one tends to honor someone else, but dishonor an office or other status. But I'm sure there must be others that aren't springing to mind immediately.
That brings up another question. How long has "dissing", which I believe is short for disrespecting, been in use? My guess would be possibly the 50's or 60's (note the fact that I am not putting the century in so I increase my odds of getting it right. 🙂 )