Offensive Terminology

Different terms can get multiple reactions depending on the otherkin. Some don’t even like the term “otherkin” and prefer something like "other souled" or "foreign souled".

From the therian community I’ve noticed that the word “werewolf” is highly controversial and overall any suggestion at “Lycanthrope” is constituted as an insult (well, it is the name for a crazy syndrome).

For myself, I hate it when female dragons are refereed to as “Dragonesses.” I find it beyond cheesy and unnecessary.

So what do you find acceptable and what can’t you stand when it comes to giving a name to something other then human?

I think it's mostly about the tone of the comment. Dragoness has a bit of a human connotation to it (using words to seperate genders), so I prefer not to use it. Besides that, it simply feels wrong. Werewolf takes us back to old scary movies, and lycanthrope does the same with a strain towards scientific accuracy. However, even "dragon" or "otherkin" or "kin" can be deemed as offensive if brought up in the wrong light.

One thing that bugs me personally is the definition of celestials/angelics. i am/was an astral being that was created by and served a higher power (which seems to be the definition of "angel"). However, I never thought of myself as a servant. I thought of me as me, and he encouraged that. I just did a few odd jobs for him. It wasn't bottomless devotion, it was fair, earned respect. So I can't think of myself as either angel or as celestial (complete freedom).

Sorry about maybe going a bit off topic there. It was the first time I was able to voice my thoughts on the matter and I didn't want to cut it short.

I acctualy prefer the term Kin without the apostrophy, over otherkin when refering to my kind (vampires). basically because it is what i am now and not what i was in a past life.

i also don't like to be called human, but that is more of me being ecentric.

The terms "werewolf" and "were" really bug me. It brings up ideas of physical shapeshifters and horror movies and roleplayers and thus should not be associated with Otherkin and therianthropy in my opinion. It makes me less inclined to believe someone who claims to be a werewolf over calling themselves a wolf therian. It's just one of those words that just rubs me the wrong way and I have to fight to take someone who calls themselves a "werewolf" seriously. (No offense meant to anyone here, it's just my initial reaction to the term!)

However since I haven't seen the term lycanthropy used by therians, that term doesn't bother me as much. I don't think it should be associated with therians because it is in fact a medical disorder. Last time I checked "therianthropy" and "Otherkin" were not classified as medical disorders or diseases. That and if wolves get a special "-anthropy" I would think all the other types of therians would want a special title too. <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: --> And the more terms there are, the more confusing it tends to get!

A few therians in the community prefer to call themselves "animal people" because they (at least from what I've seen) consider the term "therianthopy" to be for newbies and they dislike the therian community as a whole (probably for all the bickering over terms!) and don't want to be associated with it. I don't have a preference either way. After my initial awakening, I was introduced to the term therianthropy before anything else, so that's what I use. It's only been over the past 2 years that I've heard the term "animal people" so while I would use both terms interchangably, I'm more inclined to use "therianthropy" because that's what I learned first. I think in most cases, the first term someone learns to descibe themselves is usually what they end up using.

It also bothers me when some therians insist that therianthropy is not grouped under the term Otherkin because therians are "real" animals while Otherkin tend to be fantastical creatures and species out of legends. Sorry, but believing that your soul is something other than human puts you under the Otherkin umbrella. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s -->

And as far as the dragoness/dragon term goes, I think that's similar to how some people prefer actress to actor or firefighter to fireman, etc. Politically correct and all that! I'm an actor and I'm female so that would technically make me an actress, but I just use the term actor as that's the actual name for what I do. In my case I'm a wolf, and even though I'm female, I don't call myself a wolfess. Some people may prefer the gender specific terms, but I don't particularly care either way.

i find it offensive when someone uses the word "demon" in the christian way. does that count?

I disliked "dragoness" greatly... and also reptile. O_o I don't know why though. I love reptiles, I care for several reptiles (yay snakies!), but having myself referred to as a reptile is aggravating. Probably does stem from the fact that there is absolutely nothing reptilian about my species, but emotionally it impacts me far more than it should. -_-

I can definately understand why Dragoness would be offensive.

As for the term "animal people"...I think that sounds retarded, honestly. People say "animal person" when referring to someone who's good with animals...not someone who's soul is different. It sounds childish and inaccurate. I think therian/therianthrope is the most accurate, and doesnt sound rediculous. The term Lycanthrope...thats for crazy people and role players.

I have no problem with people who say 'were' or "werewolf" every now and then (I do), because its no more inaccurate than calling a real vampire a vampire. I feel very strongly about this, and get upset with those who shun those who do say it. Sure, it comes with some wrong assumptions and an association with myth, but just like with vampires, the necessary basics are there...1) we shift (generally) and 2) we are part animal. If we're to drop the term 'were' because of the connotation..I think vampires, elves, demons, and anything else that doesn't EXACTLY fit the stereotypical definition should have to come up with less assuming names also. The common name between the myth and the reality is acceptable...lets not forget that in original myth...werewolves didn't turn into beasts...but fully into the animal.

Quote:I acctualy prefer the term Kin without the apostrophy, over otherkin when refering to my kind (vampires). basically because it is what i am now and not what i was in a past life.

I agree with the idea here too...simply because the term otherkin sounds a bit too...seperate. Like we're trying to seperate ourselves from the "lowly mundanes." Just "Kin" doesn't sound so much like w'ere trying to be different.

Myenia Wrote:I have no problem with people who say 'were' or "werewolf" every now and then (I do), because its no more inaccurate than calling a real vampire a vampire. I feel very strongly about this, and get upset with those who shun those who do say it. Sure, it comes with some wrong assumptions and an association with myth, but just like with vampires, the necessary basics are there...1) we shift (generally) and 2) we are part animal. If we're to drop the term 'were' because of the connotation..I think vampires, elves, demons, and anything else that doesn't EXACTLY fit the stereotypical definition should have to come up with less assuming names also. The common name between the myth and the reality is acceptable...lets not forget that in original myth...werewolves didn't turn into beasts...but fully into the animal.

I can understand where you're coming from Myenia, but I didn't mean that I don't believe someone who calls themselves a werewolf. I'm just less inclined to believe them right off the bat without further information since to me, "werewolf" is a Hollywood term. And technically, the original term in the mythology is "shapeshifter" which I think is also inaccurate as we don't physically change shape.

All the other 'kin types bring to mind a general idea of what they actually are; when I say "dragon" most people will picture a four-legged, winged, serpentine creature that loves treasure and breathes fire. It's not entirely accurate, but it's a good, general idea. The term "werewolf" doesn't bring to mind a spiritual connection to wolves, it brings to mind a half man/half wolf monster which isn't accurate at all. I have a wolf soul in my human body, I don't have a hybrid creature lurking inside me. <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

As I've said before, it all comes down to personal preference. I don't like the term "werewolf" because of it's negative connotations associated with bad horror films and roleplayers. If you do, that's great and you should use it. But I prefer the technical term "therianthropy".

I definately understand skepticism to those who solely use the term werewolf, or who use the term sometimes and also happen to act suspiciously fluffy. Its just as easy to say therianthrope and can be confusing to those who don't know about theriathropy. Within the community, though, I see no problem. I just think its funny that vampires get away with it but we can't.

Shiari Wrote:I disliked "dragoness" greatly... and also reptile. O_o I don't know why though. I love reptiles, I care for several reptiles (yay snakies!), but having myself referred to as a reptile is aggravating. Probably does stem from the fact that there is absolutely nothing reptilian about my species, but emotionally it impacts me far more than it should. -_-

I get the same way, and my species WAS basically reptillian. I just don't like being given the same label as mere lizards. It's a pride thing.