Re: [UUPoly-L] Identity Polytics.

["Earth Father" <earthfather@cfnc.us>]

> -----Original Message-----

> From: HYPERLINK "mailto:WABaldwin@aol.com"WABaldwin@aol.com

 

> In a message dated 6/2/2007 5:20:01 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> earthfather@cfnc.us writes:

> 

> <<

> 

> I don't know anyone who uses the term polyamorist; as I mentioned above, it

> would imply advocacy of a cause or principle.  Even my spell-checker is happy

> with polyamory and polyamorous, but flags "polyamorist"!  <grin>

> 

> >>

> 

> *I* use the term "polyamorist"!

> 

> However (do I need be a linguist or something to understand what you mean?) I

> never thought of it as implying advocacy of a cause or prinicple.

 

When the suffix "-ism" is added to a word, it has certain implications:

HYPERLINK "http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html"Dictionary.com
Unabridged (v 1.1)

-ism 


a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action
nouns from verbs (baptism); on this model, used as a productive suffix in the
formation of nouns denoting action or practice, state or condition, principles,
doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion or adherence, etc. (criticism;
barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism;
intellectualism). 

 

The suffix “-ist” is related to it:

-ist 


a suffix of nouns, often corresponding to verbs ending in -ize or nouns ending
in -ism, that denote a person who practices or is concerned with something, or
holds certain principles, doctrines, etc.: apologist; dramatist; machinist;
novelist; realist; socialist; Thomist. 

 

 

So using the term polyamorist, while not wrong, is likely to be misleading; it
tends to imply an element of advocacy, belief, dogma, etc.

 

> I just wanted a noun to describe myself. I got tired of saying "polyamorous

> person". 

 

I use the term “polyfolk”.  “Polyamorous person”, while clumsy, is more likely
to communicate than “polyamorist”.

 

> If you want to be linguistic (or whatever), explain what you mean.

 

My goal is clarity; hopefully the above explanations address your questions or
concerns.

 

The issue of terminology came up because it seemed to me that Kelly’s use of
the word “polyamorist” was causing for himself the precise kind of confusion
that I suspect can occur.  He didn’t want to be associated with people who were
espousing certain goals, principles, etc.

 

> I

> mean, I can see where someone could say that a "communist" advocates "co

> mmunism".  Me, I just wanted a noun!  (which, I suppose, is being grammatical

> if not liguistic!)  <grin>

 

Nouns are good— I highly recommend them!  I’ve seen Poly person and polyfolk,
in addition to polyamorous person (which has the advantage of making it just a
characteristic of that person, not the *defining* characteristic of that
person.)  

 

> I suppose I could coin an entirely *new* term -- like "polyamorite"?  (But I

> thought I was *already* coining a new term when I started using
"polyamorist".

 

The only problem is that it will lead some (many) people to understand that
there is an element of belief, advocacy, adherence, etc.

 

>  Personally, I like the sound of "polyamorist" much better than the sound of

> "polyamorite" (which I guess reminds me of "sodomite"?   A matter of taste?

> Or of actual implied meaning?)

 

HYPERLINK "http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html"Dictionary.com
Unabridged (v 1.1) - HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=-ite&ia=luna"; \nCite This Source 

-ite1 


a suffix of nouns denoting esp. persons associated with a place, tribe, leader,
doctrine, system, etc. (Campbellite; Israelite; laborite); minerals and fossils
(ammonite; anthracite); explosives (cordite; dynamite); chemical compounds,
esp. salts of acids whose names end in -ous (phosphite; sulfite);
pharmaceutical and commercial products (vulcanite); a member or component of a
part of the body (somite). 

 

 

So by creating polyamorite, you would be implying involvement with a place
tribe, leader, doctrine, etc.— or that you are explosive!  <grin>

 

 

Michael Rios


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