How did ‘rawdogging’ become part of polite conversation? | Arwa Mahdawi
![How did ‘rawdogging’ become part of polite conversation? | Arwa Mahdawi](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/001014e995494c7361cf0da398d921c0445b296e/0_225_8192_4918/master/8192.jpg?width=460&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=ba31af56852863efdfe6d44f349bf9d2)
The word only ever used to have a sexual connotation. But thanks to semantic bleaching, it is suddenly everywhere
So, what do we think? Come December, is “rawdogging” going to be Oxford University Press’s word of the year? It’s certainly a strong contender. Around this time last year, rawdogging – originally slang for sex without a condom – wasn’t the sort of word you would hear in polite conversation or find in the pages of the Guardian and the BBC. Now, it’s everywhere and being used, largely by gen Z, for the most innocuous situations. Drink black coffee? You’re rawdogging caffeine! Don’t drink coffee at all? You’re rawdogging your mornings! Just finished a nine-hour flight with no entertainment but the flight map? Bro, you rawdogged travel!
The trend for rawdogging flights, which started getting attention earlier this summer, has propelled the term into the mainstream. But the word has been used in nonsexual contexts for several years and, over that time, undergone the early stages of “semantic bleaching”. Its obscene origins have been diluted and for a lot of people it’s no longer remotely scandalous; it just means doing something without assistance.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
The Guardian - World
Oily skin, body parts misbehaving: how perimenopause feels like puberty
My daughter and I are experiencing unwieldy, messy life transitions together. I’ve found comfort in it. In a couple of weeks I’ll be 47, and I’ve been surveying the emotional and physical landscape ...1 hour ago -
ABC News - World
How a traveling 'health train' has become an essential source of free care in South Africa
A passenger train in South Africa has been transformed into a mobile health facility2 hours ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
How Taylor Swift Surprised Harris, and Entered a New Political Era
The pop star capped a big night for Kamala Harris with an unexpectedly timed endorsement that could draw in more young voters. Ms. Swift’s political message, too, was newly direct and personal.12 hours ago -
CBS News - Top stories
How the migrant community of Springfield got caught in a political firestorm
During the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump poured fuel on local grievances with a baseless conspiracy theory.13 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Moskowitz after debate: Trump should have 'difficult conversations' about leaving race
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) poked fun at former President Trump’s debate performance Tuesday night, saying it might be time for the GOP nominee to have “those difficult conversations” about ...17 hours ago - Donald Trump -
BBC News - Top stories
Undecided Americans impressed by Harris - but will debate shift their votes?
We spoke to seven voters who see the debate as crucial in determining who they will support in November.21 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Starmer accused of ‘hiding’ assessment of winter fuel payment cut on pensioners – UK politics live
Rishi Sunak asks PM over previous Labour analysis linking the policy to 4,000 extra deaths a year. A new Labour pressure group aiming to “take on the Nimbys” is being launched today, PA Media says. ...21 hours ago - United Kingdom -
The Guardian - World
Are novelists who worry about the rise of AI really ‘classist and ableist’? | Arwa Mahdawi
An international writing organisation appeared to greenlight the use of AI, prompting anger, the resignation of four board members and an entire creative community to ask: ‘What?!’. Please spare a ...Yesterday -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Parity is part of the NFL's success, but should the NBA be chasing it?
A league that's largely been built on connective tissue continues to fragment, as championship teams can't stay together anymore.Yesterday - NBA
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Republican attorney general for Bush says he will vote for Harris; candidates to make pitches in swing states – live
Alberto Gonzales announces he will vote for Harris; Donald Trump will campaign in Arizona while Kamala Harris goes to North Carolina. In an interview with the Financial Times, Leonard Leo , the ...29 minutes ago -
The Guardian - World
Russia-Ukraine war live: ICRC confirms three of its staff killed as Zelenskiy blames Russia
Although Zelenskiy posted on social media that Russia was to blame, the ICRC statement did not apportion blame to any party. Antony Blinken and David Lammy ’s joint trip to Kyiv , to be ...37 minutes ago - Russia -
The Guardian - World
Israel-Gaza war live: killing of Unrwa workers by Israeli strike ‘appalling’, says UK foreign minister
David Lammy says aid workers must be able to do their jobs and reiterates calls for a ceasefire. Syrian media is reporting that in addition to killing two people in a drone strike on a vehicle ...24 minutes ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
Polaris Dawn astronauts complete first commercial spacewalk
Billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX’s Sarah Gillis exit capsule in slimmed-down spacesuits hundreds of miles up. Two astronauts have completed the first commercial spacewalk and tested ...1 hour ago -
The Guardian - World
European Central Bank cuts eurozone interest rates; UK at risk of debt spiral – business live
ECB has cut its deposit rate to 3.5%, and lowered its growth forecasts. European stock markets are rallying this morning, as traders anticipate an interest rate cut from the European Central Bank ...18 minutes ago - United Kingdom