Does it make it easier for us to act out by drawing on the weapon words?
Yes, I think so. In the same way that fashion works. It makes it easier to act out something that we want to express in ourselves if we have the gear to do it with. It’s more tempting. I’m not saying that we don’t have anger or feelings of wanting to lash out, we’ve always had that, but it’s a little expected to be used. The words and comebacks are a little gilding of entertainment, and we’ve seen them in the media and this is what’s expected. It’s more fun to use, it feels more natural. I think the expected part is interesting. If you’re a member of the culture and you’re participating in it, you’re expected to have the same arsenal, and to use it to prove that you’re One of Us. These kinds of insults are snappy and snappish… because they’re snappy, they snap into place and click sensations. They’re entertaining, but they have the anger attached. I think the more we use them, the more we rev ourselves up and look for opportunities to use them. Pop language seems to come up from vari
