Some words about vitriol.
It's common for people to use the term metaphorically to describe biting criticism or vicious hatred these days but there's a history to this usage. Vitriol is an old common term for sulphuric acid, short for oil of vitriol which itself took its name from the compound green vitriol, ferrous sulphate, from which the acid was most often derived. Vitriolage is a term that has thankfully fallen out of use, as it describes the act of throwing sulphuric acid into the eyes of one's enemy.
Under the Third Republic of France, acts of vitriolage were committed by many different people, but it came to be associated with anarchists. It was a common, non-lethal but terribly painful and potentially disfiguring crime often directed against the titled and the wealthy. In this context, vitriol became a symbol of rough vengeance, and especially the sort of vengeance taken by the poor upon members of the ruling classes.
Why vitriol? I'm interested in class conflict and political theory, have been for some time now. The term is an icon somewhat representative of that interest. Hopefully, it also serves to remind me to type thoughtfully, so that the content of my messages is not so conveniently described by my handle.
In other news, I'm astounded by the high signal to noise ratio on these discussion boards. What a strange place for such a vibrant and supportive community to pop up! "Sex positive" doesn't even begin to describe SG.
It's common for people to use the term metaphorically to describe biting criticism or vicious hatred these days but there's a history to this usage. Vitriol is an old common term for sulphuric acid, short for oil of vitriol which itself took its name from the compound green vitriol, ferrous sulphate, from which the acid was most often derived. Vitriolage is a term that has thankfully fallen out of use, as it describes the act of throwing sulphuric acid into the eyes of one's enemy.
Under the Third Republic of France, acts of vitriolage were committed by many different people, but it came to be associated with anarchists. It was a common, non-lethal but terribly painful and potentially disfiguring crime often directed against the titled and the wealthy. In this context, vitriol became a symbol of rough vengeance, and especially the sort of vengeance taken by the poor upon members of the ruling classes.
Why vitriol? I'm interested in class conflict and political theory, have been for some time now. The term is an icon somewhat representative of that interest. Hopefully, it also serves to remind me to type thoughtfully, so that the content of my messages is not so conveniently described by my handle.
In other news, I'm astounded by the high signal to noise ratio on these discussion boards. What a strange place for such a vibrant and supportive community to pop up! "Sex positive" doesn't even begin to describe SG.
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
morgan:
I don't actually know what they say, I wasn't prepared to complete the statement!
raven:
i will definetly try to check out that book. it sounds really good.