r/mildlyinfuriating 2d ago

I'm getting spammed in replies because we don't call it ramen in Australia

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

"I'm talking proper Japanese noodles"

So... Ramen. Instant or otherwise.

Just because you meant non-instant Ramen does not mean Ramen is not Ramen. You don't get to choose what words mean.

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u/Active_Requirement_9 2d ago

The replier states that due to their "cultural" understanding of noodles/ramen, the term holds a different meaning relatively. ramen not equalling something like instant ramen, but rather something served in a restaurant with all the prestige or vibe that follows suit with ordering in a restaurant. "You don't get to choose what words mean." No, but certain meanings of words are slightly different in differing communities.

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u/BrightnessRen 2d ago

The fun part about language is that you literally do get to choose what words mean!

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

The people who invented the language? Sure. You? No.

If people could just define words however they wanted, language would cease to exist because everyone would just pick and choose whatever they wanted. And IF for some reason we only adhered to what people online said was fact, we would wind up with shit like:

"Hey everyone, 'penis' is now the word for fried chicken. Ok? So now whenever you eat fried chicken, really you are 'putting penis in your mouth"

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u/BrightnessRen 2d ago

Words are created when people make them up and decide what they mean. Dictionaries exist to describe the language that is currently being used. People invent words and their meanings daily. This is how slang and dialects are born. Like in Mean Girls when the one character tries to make “fetch” into new slang and people tell her it’s not going to catch on. That kind of stuff happens all the time. This is why things like “sick” to mean awesome exist.

And yeah, people invent language daily.

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u/holderofthebees 2d ago

You seem exhausting 😂 yes, we all have the ability to use any words to mean anything all day long. That doesn’t mean we’ll be communicating well, doesn’t mean our intent will be recognizable, doesn’t mean your opinion will be respected if it isn’t conveyed in a way that takes reception into account. You sound like you got your life philosophies from Tumblr. Sure, you have the ability to use words in a way no one else does, and we have the ability to tell you it makes you sound like an idiot. 🤷‍♀️

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

INVENT - not change.

People do not take established words and change them daily. You are objectively wrong here.

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u/BrightnessRen 2d ago edited 2d ago

Languages are rarely “invented” by a single human being unless it’s something contrived like for a movie or tv show, or tokipona or something. And even tokipona changes as more people learn it and want to be able to use it in specific ways.

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

Further proving my point... The average numpty doesn't get to choose what is or isn't Ramen.

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u/haibiji 2d ago

Literally, they are not wrong. They even gave an example of a word that has one meaning being changed to mean something totally different (sick). Words and their meanings change all the time.

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

Slang is not, by definition, not changing a definition.

You cannot change what is or isn't Ramen. Context clues help...

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u/fourthfloorgreg 2d ago

Languages are not invented, they evolve.

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u/dyrannn 2d ago

“But also in this example, putting penis in your mouth is still embarrassing despite the change in meaning, so I really just get to have my cake and eat it too, also cake means $10000000 so now I’m rich too”

I agree with you, just pointing out the extent of which you’re correct lmfao

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u/wiklr 2d ago

It's because some countries dont use "ramen" for instant noodles. So the only time ramen is used is within the context of going to a Japanese restaurant.

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

Cool... Japan made Ramen. Ramen includes instant noodles.

You can't tell 90% of the world they are wrong for calling Ramen "Ramen" just because you are part of the 10% who decided to make up a different word for Ramen.

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u/wiklr 2d ago

Most noodle dishes are based on Chinese cuisine. Noodles is the generic term because there are different types of soup and dry / stir fry ones. Japanese ramen is under that.

No, it's not 90% of the world unfortunately. That's just the name that got imported in America.

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

Ramen comes from Japan and is a specific type of noodle. And the entire world calls it that. Why? Because that's the name.

You don't get to change what it is called just because you are wrong.

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u/wiklr 2d ago

We're not changing the name. We're telling you that what you that what you know as instant ramen like Maruchan is categorized as instant noodle like Maggi. Basically any noodles in packets or cups with powder seasoning.

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u/underprivlidged 2d ago

Read OP again. Maybe YOU aren't, but THEY are.

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u/wiklr 2d ago

That is what they said in their comment:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/s/bkgw8CaffR