Blizzie, I have never heard anyone called cancerous and wouldn't use it myself. Too many sad connotations (sic) with that word and I have never heard that dictionary defination myself..

I've heard it used that way, usually to describe something/one really evil....I wouldn't put Stephanie Beecham in that league though.

It's a frickin' game show....when it's over it's over....nobody will give a flying one about any of them.....lighten up peeps

aye aye Sir

Its quite a well known way to describe something of evil. Now I haven't watched CBB at all so I don't know whether the person being described is worthy of such a title, but the way so many people have taken offence really is laughable. Cancer and cancerous are words, and they can be used in many different ways not just to describe an oncogenic disease.

Tee Hee...........Now just obey orders(lol)

Well there you go, you're never too old to learn. I wasn't aware of that fact but still wouldn't use the word in a million years unless it pertained to the illness. I guess its different strokes for different folks as is apparent because you found my offence at the word laughable, whilst I found it awful

Thanks Soph. I knew what i meant

Still, I think it's best if I keep it as tummybug for all the people who love any excuse to be offended 

Saying people getting offended, is 'laughable' is more rude and offensive than the original 'cancer comparison' comments.  What right do you have to call people 'laughable' for being offended at something that is said on here?  How rude and judgemental.  If someone gets offended by something, what makes people think they have a right to call them laughable and say that they need to chill out and get a life and lighten up and other sarcastic comments?  How about people mind their own beeswax and let people say they are offended about something without being ridiculed?!

Because it is laughable. I've laughed many times at the pathetic reasons people on forums have got offended by.

Bleedin nora

I second that!

Oi, my brother Nora suffers from Haemophilia!

How can I put this..?
The trouble is, cancer as a disease has a devastating effect on the sufferer and their loved ones.  It's a beyond awful illness.  It's an emotive word for many.

People are not pathetic to wince at the word if it brings to  mind the horrors they have witnessed or seen others suffer.

So, this isn't about being eloquent or good/bad with the English language - people aren't coming from that starting point; they're wincing from an emotional point of view.

Wouldn't it be better - kinder - to use an alternative rather than hit a raw nerve?  I mean, really....it's only a reality show and not worth offending others when another word will suffice.

Cosmopolitan, thanks for that. Really, really well said

I know where you're coming from, Cosmo, but it has been used in the sense Crunchy used it, for many, many years.
Where do we draw the line?
Can we say that something 'nearly gave us a heart attack', or 'drove us demented'?

It's a tough one, but I feel people need to think twice before taking offence, when it wasn't intended.

Why stop at the word cancer though ?


Why not ban all words that could upest some members !

Brilliantly put Cosmpolitan. Can't believe the flippant attitude of some people on here, using that word with such disregard and callng people 'pathetic' and telling them to lighten up because they are offended. EVERYONE is entitled to be offended without the fear of being called pathetic and laughable. 


Anyone scoffing at people being offended by this, needs start thinking before they post.  How dare anyone call people 'pathetic' for saying they are offended by something?!


Using the word and then removing it was one thing... the OP DID remove the word.  But the fact that people who were offended got called pathetic and laughable is totally unnacceptable.  In fact THAT is more offensive than the fact that the OP used the word in the first place!

I know, I know.
But I suppose to describe someone as cancerous when they're not truly evil sort of throws the cat amongst the pigeons.  I mean, evil?  We're not talking Hindley and Brady here. 

And yes, it depends on the intent & as to when/how the word is used - and the assumption that everyone knows its alternative meaning.

I like Steph you need her in the house.

i just thought the hyperbole used was annoying.