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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 10:10:22 AM

Title: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 10:10:22 AM
Ok, so what's up with so many Porkchops on various online forums (especially history or game oriented) referring to historical monarchs of Portugal as "Dom XYZ"?

Is this some sort of weird affectation from a bunch of nationalists or does this have a deeper meaning? I mean where people refer to Elizabeth I, they are not writing it as "HRH Elizabeth" and even Catholics do not refer to historical Popes as, eg. His Holiness Alexander VI.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Razgovory on April 13, 2013, 10:15:19 AM
Dom XYZ?  What are you talking about?
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: The Brain on April 13, 2013, 10:25:39 AM
It's a BDSM thing.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: CountDeMoney on April 13, 2013, 10:34:40 AM
Since when does a a gay Polish lawyer have the moral high ground to use the term "porkchop"?
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Razgovory on April 13, 2013, 10:35:34 AM
I'm guessing that "Dom" is the Portuguese version of the Spanish "Don".  If so it's likely similar to English "Sir", "Lord" or "Mister".
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 13, 2013, 10:46:57 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 13, 2013, 10:35:34 AM
I'm guessing that "Dom" is the Portuguese version of the Spanish "Don".  If so it's likely similar to English "Sir", "Lord" or "Mister".

Razgovory guesses correctly. It came from the latin DOMINVS. It's basically a title for nobles only, unlike the feminine " Dona".

PS: it's not only porkchop, some religious orders use it as well cf. Dom Pérignon ;)
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Razgovory on April 13, 2013, 10:51:01 AM
Three years of Latin pay off! :punk:
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Syt on April 13, 2013, 10:58:09 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmoviesmedia.ign.com%2Fmovies%2Fimage%2Farticle%2F699%2F699014%2Fdomdeluise-02_1143629211.jpg&hash=4b19ddb8987a7b2b7be8b1316a3cda3e71510688)
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Eddie Teach on April 13, 2013, 11:59:39 AM
English speakers use the convention as well, e.g. Sir Walter Raleigh.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2013, 12:02:05 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.

Is it any different than Queen Elizabeth or Kaiser Wilhelm?
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Duque de Bragança on April 13, 2013, 01:39:51 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2013, 12:02:05 PM

Is it any different than Queen Elizabeth or Kaiser Wilhelm?

Nope, if somewhat vaguer.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 02:55:09 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2013, 12:02:05 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.

Is it any different than Queen Elizabeth or Kaiser Wilhelm?

Well, I wouldn't say "Krol Casimir" or "Krolowa Jadwiga" when speaking in English.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: The Brain on April 13, 2013, 03:00:09 PM
Has any Portuguese ever spoken in English?
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Scipio on April 13, 2013, 03:17:40 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.
Whatevs, Pan Marcin.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Razgovory on April 13, 2013, 05:01:55 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.

You mean like the English, "Mr."?
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: Martim Silva on April 13, 2013, 06:46:19 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 13, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Jesus you guys are morons. I realize what it means. I just wonder why Portuguese drop it in front of names of historical monarchs in casual conversations.

BECAUSE IT REMAINS IN CURRENT USE.

"Dom" is indeed the abbreviation of 'Dominvus', and is shortened in writing to 'D.' (as in 'Dom Fernando' is written 'D. Fernando').

It means that, unlike the name 'senhor' (which means 'senior', or 'lord of the household', not necessarily a noble and used for any adult male), its holder is/was indeed a title-holder of power and influence.

It is not restricted to nobles; the clergy also uses it, from Bishop and above. The current Cardinal-Patricarch of Lisbon, D. José Policarpo, is an example. Here is how he is referred to:

http://www.agencia.ecclesia.pt/cgi-bin/noticia.pl?id=94702 (http://www.agencia.ecclesia.pt/cgi-bin/noticia.pl?id=94702)

D. José Policarpo projeta novo pontificado

Also, you *have* to use the "Dom" when addressing these title-holders. Not doing so denotes extreme lack of respect, as you are lowering them to the rank of a commoner. To the point that you *would* be asked to leave the premises.
Title: Re: Question to Porkchops
Post by: garbon on April 13, 2013, 07:02:07 PM
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 13, 2013, 06:46:19 PM
BECAUSE IT REMAINS IN CURRENT USE.

From Mart's most recent post his critique stems from the fact that it doesn't really have a purpose in a conversation in English. Doesn't generally suggest anything that you've listed below.