Jaspreet SohalApril 21, 2014COMM 100W: Writing workshopThe meaning of…. EssayTowards a Better Understanding of “Rape”Words, like most adolescent expressions and cultures, come in and out of fashion. Some words and expressions we use every day may confuse older generations, but these words are usually harmless and insignificant. However, recently, many words with a very strong and negative meaning have been given a weaker and lighter connotation through their use. The increasing use of the word "rape" as a common slang term is one of those words that threatens to do much more than just confuse older generations. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word rape comes from the Latin expression rapere, from raptus. , “to snatch, seize, carry away”. The Merriam Webster Dictionary goes on to define rape as an act or instance of theft, dispossession, or kidnapping of a person by force, or unlawful sexual activity and generally sexual intercourse carried out by force or under threat of force. injury against the will, usually of a woman or person. with a person who has not reached a certain age or who is incapable of giving valid consent. After conducting extensive research, the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) concluded that there are an average of 237,868 rape victims each year, ages 12 and older, and that one in six American women would be victim of rape. or attempted rape during their lifetime. Additionally, “in the United States, approximately 16% of women and 3% of men have been victims of attempted or rape, and victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression and four times more likely likely to consider suicide than others. -victims" (United States Department of Justice, 1997, p...... middle of article...... words used as slang may lose some of their original meaning, but some words , which deal with pressing global issues, should never be allowed to turn you in this way. I know that most people who use the word "rape" casually usually don't mean anything by it, but even if you don't. Don't think rape is trivial or funny, using it as a slang term sends the message you do Although we are used to hearing many negative words in a casual way, there are just a few uses that I don't agree with. I can never feel comfortable, even if expressions like "my parents are going to kill me" when you stay out past curfew, or "I'm dying here" after running a mile are words. negatives used casually, but they just don't seem as disturbing as casual uses of the word "rape." I never want to feel comfortable using that word, and I never can.