• ZkhqrD5o@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I just want to say that our language use has now been so poisoned by a child predator being called “pedophiles” because “pedo” is greek for child that we attribute just the word to a child predator. IMO pedofile is a bad word because there is zero love involved, they are child predators.

    • merc@sh.itjust.works
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      3 months ago

      Languages evolve in weird ways. Pedophile comes from “pedo” child and “phile” for love. It could just be a mother or father, someone who loves children. But, it has been used to describe people who love children, but in the wrong way. Similarly, homophobe has been used for people who hate gays, but the “phobe” part is about fear not hate. Also, “homo” isn’t necessarily homosexual, it could be homogeniety. Homophobes could be people who are afraid of people of their own race, but instead we’ve decided it’s the term to use for people who hate or are angry at homosexuality.

    • LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      So a pedophile is somebody who loves children, in a good wholesome way, like kindergarten teachers we have fond memories of.

      Pedo predators are the bad people who belong in prison.

      Ok but seriously “-phile” implies a CRAZED over-the-top unhealthy fixation with something.

      Bibliophile? That’s great that you love reading books but you probably should find some balance in your life and get out into the world more.

      Cinephile? That’s great that you enjoy all things cinema, but you should probably find some balance in your life and get out into the world more.

      Etc 😄