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→Dictionary definitions
AmesG and Rschlafly, please discuss it, don't edit war. if a decision can't be reached between you, then you should agree to let someone else decide, or <nowiki>*gasp*</nowiki> take it to the panel. --[[User:CPAdmin1|CPAdmin1]] 01:33, 28 April 2007 (EDT)
AmesG and Rschlafly, please discuss it, don't edit war. if a decision can't be reached between you, then you should agree to let someone else decide, or <nowiki>*gasp*</nowiki> take it to the panel. --[[User:CPAdmin1|CPAdmin1]] 01:33, 28 April 2007 (EDT)
==Dictionary definitions==
Dictionaries aren't always right, but when we say something ''different'' from what dictionaries say, it shouldn't just hang unsupported in a vacuum; there ought to be some kind of backing or justification.
ho·mo·pho·bi·a<br>
NOUN: 1. Fear of or contempt for lesbians and gay men. 2. Behavior based on such a feeling.[http://www.bartleby.com/61/90/H0259000.html AHD online]
Main Entry: ho·mo·pho·bia <br>
Function: noun<br>
irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/homophobia Merriam-Webster online]
fag·got<br>
NOUN: Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a homosexual man.[http://www.bartleby.com/61/11/F0011100.html AHD online]
Main Entry: fag·got <br>
Function: noun<br>
Etymology: earlier and dialect, contemptuous word for a woman or child, probably from 1fagot
usually disparaging : a male homosexual [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faggot Merriam-Webster online]
Observations 1: One dictionary describes the word "faggot" as "offensive," one as "usually disparaging." Neither makes any such comment about the word "homophobia." The evidence of these two dictionaries would not support equating the two words as in "The term is considered offensive, like the term 'faggot.'" Therefore, it should not go in unsupported, as being obvious or well-known.
Regardless of dictionaries, something is offensive if someone is offended by it, so I'd support the inclusion of a remark about "homophobia" being offensive if, and only if, some good backing for that statement can be provided.
2. The article says "The suffix 'phobia' suggests an irrational fear, but that is not how the term is used." Since both dictionary definitions ''lead off with'' "fear of" (AHD) or "irrational fear of" (Merriam-Webster), it would seem that the dictionary editors judge that that ''is'' how the term is used. Therefore, if we say that is ''not'' how it is used, some evidence for that ought to be provided.
[[User:Dpbsmith|Dpbsmith]] 13:05, 28 April 2007 (EDT)