crs@lanl.ARPA (01/09/85)
et that as meaning that "I never ever want *anything* except to be left alone." I'd interpret that colloquialism as "I'd like to be left alone for a while" or as "Don't bug me right now." Perhaps, because I've only seen the phrase out of context as posted, I'm not getting the full picture. Do others really find it offensive [in context, out of context]? Charlie
crs@lanl.ARPA (01/09/85)
Sorry for the reposting but the article came through here with about the first half missing. I hope this try is more successful. Charlie ------ > Cyndi Lauper?________________________________________________________________ > . > . > . > The main message of the song, repeated over and over and over, is > "girls just want to have fun". If it said "girls want to have fun", that > would be okay with me (though I'd prefer that "women" be used instead of > "girls"), but the inclusion of the word "just" makes it offensive. > > What do you folks think? > <_Jym_> I don't know anything about the song -- in fact, I've never heard it. But, the offense taken at use of the word "just" intrigues me. I would never have interpreted the phrase as meaning "girls [sic]* never ever want to do anything but have fun" as Jym apparently does. It seems to me that the "just" construction used in the phrase is a common colloquial for (at least where I come from). A common example is the phrase "I just want to be left alone." I find it difficult to imagine that anyone would interpret that as meaning that "I never ever want *anything* except to be left alone." I'd interpret that colloquialism as "I'd like to be left alone for a while" or as "Don't bug me right now." Perhaps, because I've only seen the phrase out of context as posted, I'm not getting the full picture. Do others really find it offensive [in context, out of context]? Charlie ______ * Before the flames begin, be it known that I am treating "girls" as an incorrect spelling of "women" |-)
chris@pyuxc.UUCP (R. Hollenbeck) (01/10/85)
I think you're overreacting. A song is a song is a song, no more, no less. If you must analyze, please note that the song is about a woman stating that she will make her own choices, not those of her mother, father, etc. However, mostly it's just a song.