Incidentally, Cloacina?

[conuly]

She also dealt with sexual cleanliness, whatever that means.

The person who posted that link thinks Purity Balls are sweet. I took it without credit, because I happen to think they're just a little creepy. The boy's version is *less* creepy, but only because it has that lovely double standard going on. (Somebody asked where I saw this about a male version, and I'm declining to answer her too.)

Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to talk to your kid about sex, and about your morals in that regard. In fact, I think that's a wonderful thing and that it's never too early to start this sort of discussion (though the age of four, as the first article includes, might be a little young to understand the idea of sexual purity. Sheesh).

I just think that these events are wrapped up in a host of concepts I do *not* agree with, in ways that are hard to express, and that they're just a little creepy and off-putting.

Comments

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

Nothats a LOT LOT LOT creepy.

[conuly]

That's what "just a little" means.

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

I sees.
For me "just a little" is something I'd apply to your average horror film. A "LOT" of creepy is applied to something like the novel ghost by John Ringo.
The fact that I find these balls to be LOT LOT LOT, or as creepy as Ghost cubed, is an indication of how god damend creepy they are.

[conuly]

Hm. I apply the rule of understatement to most things. Not that I think about it much, but I definitely do.

So "very creepy" is horror-film-esque. "A little creepy" is pretty close to the most disturbing thing ever.

Or, if I were to say, for example, that Bush is the worst president ever, it'd be hard to take that seriously (even though I mean it). So I'd say "Bush isn't exactly doing a stellar job", combining understatement and sarcasm in a devastating... uh... combination.

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

I sees!
*notes this down in my Conuly-rantin translation diary)

[leora.livejournal.com]

*passes you the word "litotes"*

[conuly]

Good word.

[leora.livejournal.com]

I like them a lot. Hyperboles get all of the attention, and I've been advocating for more use and creative use of litotes for a while now. I got that word from an English class somewhere along the course of my schooling. It's why I appreciated your comment about how you use them.