in reply to Re^5: Let's drop this long belaboured, never pertinent, pointless subject once and for all. ("ilk")
in thread Having our anonymous cake and eating it too

ilk/ɪlk/noun
a type of person or thing similar to one already referred to.

Another phrasing of the same sentiment might be: You and those (who think) like you.

There can be no "personal attack" when I am simply referring to the person's stated opinions and grouping him with a (self-selecting) group of other individuals that think the same way.

How can grouping a person with others who hold the same opinions be an "attack"? Especially when the 'group' are an unnamed, unnumbered, unselected 'group' who may or may not exist.

There is no condemnation; no accusation; no unfavourable comparison; beyond the statement that on the evidence of expressed opinions here; that group are a minority.

Being a minority does not invalidate the opinion; but it does mean that any action taken in light of that opinion would be an imposition upon the majority.

Offense isn't given; it is taken. And can be found everywhere if you look hard enough.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I knew I was on the right track :)
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
  • Comment on Re^6: Let's drop this long belaboured, never pertinent, pointless subject once and for all. ("ilk")

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Re^7: Let's drop this long belaboured, never pertinent, pointless subject once and for all. ("ilk")
by tye (Sage) on Oct 29, 2015 at 00:37 UTC

    I don't really disagree with anything you say above.

    Being a minority does not invalidate the opinion; but it does mean that any action taken in light of that opinion would be an imposition upon the majority.

    Even more than that, in the given context, it was part of a refutation of part of the argument being made (seemed to me).

    In a different context, I could easily read "You and your ilk are a tiny minority" as a personal attack. But I suspect your understanding of the work "ilk" is somewhat different than my perception of it based on the ways I've most often heard it used (usually as part of a slur). I make no claim to my perception being more accurate. Just because you made me curious if others share my perception, I found that the current voting at urbandictionary selects:

    Pronoun. Represents a group of items of the same type. Has a connotation of the typed group being of bad or questionable character.

    Don't get involved with those of that ilk.

    My only point being that there are some people (not just me) who will tend to interpret "ilk" as derogatory, even lacking supporting evidence. I did check just a couple of definitions of "ilk" before I wrote the node you replied to and found no clear indications of modern usage being documented as derogatory, just the history of shifting meaning.

    Offense isn't given; it is taken.

    Exactly. I've long lamented that the verb in English is "to offend". There should be no such verb. There should instead be a (single word) verb that means "to be offended". If there is an action on the other side of the interaction, then it should only be expressed as "try to get one to be offended".

    - tye        

[reply]
      I suspect your understanding of the work "ilk" is somewhat different than my perception of it based on the ways I've most often heard it used (usually as part of a slur)

      I guess my only 'further defense' to that is; when I do set out to attack someone personally, there is generally no mistaking my intent.

      With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
      Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
      "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I knew I was on the right track :)
      In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
[reply]

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