Using euphemisms like CTB

[RazzleDazzle]

Why do people use euphemisms like CTB on here? Suicide is in the forum name, there's no one censoring discussion of suicide on here, that is the entire point.

I'm growing uncomfortable talking about it in vague terms, because I can't take the action without facing what I'm doing. I am killing myself. I am here planning my suicide.

To me, personally, it feels important to face the blunt reality of what I am doing in order to process it and make plans. But I am curious what other people think.

 

[TheBag]

Personally I think it's a cool term. Secondly, I think it gives a sense of belonging to this community since it's exclusively using this term.

 

[ThroughTheLight]

I'm not exactly sure either and it has confused me, but I think people like that it's less blunt. Maybe people appreciate the imagery of suicide being like "catching the bus" to a destination which is a lot better than this life, even if it's just nothingness.

 

[Passenger4224]

I have no idea lol I just copied everyone else

 

[Rev346]

As humans we like to shorten things. CDs, DVDs, SNES, CTB, RAM, brb, lol are just a few examples. You are free to use full terms, I think some of us like having an inside term that people lurking over our shoulders may not understand.

 

[hardcoretechno]

i think the biggest reason, like others have said, is the appeal of being part of some secret in-group. i mean thats kind of why i use ctb to be honest.

i think part of it may also be how frequent and how casually suicide is talked about here. it really isnt treated with the gravity it deserves. the numbness of depression and the fact that this site turns into an echo chamber in many ways probably contributes.

 

[Pluto]

 

[post_card]

There is this science report about this website where they count the amount of messages on SS based on what text they contain - whether they contain an substance name, a method's name, or just have a word ,,suicide" in them, something like that. Maybe some people purposefuly avoid saying some words to make the reports less accurate? idk

 

[komakun]

I was copying others at first as well but I keep doing it just in case somebody finds me through this account and tries to use anything I've posted as evidence to commit me or something lol

 

[name2come]

Why do people use euphemisms like CTB on here? Suicide is in the forum name, there's no one censoring discussion of suicide on here, that is the entire point.

I'm growing uncomfortable talking about it in vague terms, because I can't take the action without facing what I'm doing. I am killing myself. I am here planning my suicide.

To me, personally, it feels important to face the blunt reality of what I am doing in order to process it and make plans. But I am curious what other people think.

I mean, it's just a vernacular, it's not some weird censorship evasion like "unalive" or the like. Suicide is allowed here and plenty of people use that term regularly. I'll use CTB as appropriate, but I usually don't force it where just saying suicide is more direct and accessible. I do worry that stuff like "unalive" does produce a detachment that I don't think is constructive, but I've generally found usage of CTB to be more knowing and ironic. Still, YMMV, so you do you.

 

[eggsausagerice]

I mean, it's just a vernacular, it's not some weird censorship evasion like "unalive" or the like.

i would rather kill myself than say unalive unironically. it's just so babyish to me because only minors or youtubers that are trying to avoid demonetization say unalive. it's a totally inelegant way of phrasing it too. that and sewerslide, which i see on self harm forums sometimes.

i like ctb as a phrase or shorthand, since there isn't any shorthand for suicide besides kms, which reads as too nonchalant most of the time. sometimes people on sasu end up being too frou frou with the suicide metaphors as well. it's a spectrum. i just prefer to blunt.

 

[TransilvanianHunger]

I think it's a bit deeper than "these euphemisms are just in-group lingo". Some of the abbreviations, like SN, are simply useful, but CTB in particular seems to serve a different function—it serves to de-fang the concept of suicide, and reduce the anxiety associated with it.

I have complained about euphemisms before, because I think that suicide is a serious topic that deserves serious consideration. Talking about CTB, or "catching the bus", or whatever else, dilutes the seriousness of the subject. Euphemisms in general serve that function—they allow us to talk about uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing subjects in a way that feels less immediate, threatening, and serious. There are users like yourself, who bluntly talk about suicide, or killing oneself, and there is a certain degree of awareness there as to one's situation and state of mind. Personally, I think that is necessary when dealing with the subject of suicide. I am pro-choice, but I feel like that choice can't really be made if you are unable to talk about it in straight-forward terms.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, though.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I agree with others- that initially, it can be a way of ingratiating ourselves into the forum group- to learn and use the vernaculer.

I also agree though- that we may sometimes be using it to sugar coat the idea of suicide. Sometimes I think I use the term 'suicide' when refering to my intentions but then, CTB when I refer to others. I think I tended to use CTB more when I initially joined.

I suppose it could also be a form of gallows humour. That doesn't necessarily mean that we aren't considering or taking the subject seriously though. In a way, maybe it's also a reflection of taking the meaning or value of life flippantly. If it only requires a bus journey to leave it.

 

[Captive_Mind515]

I hate the term "suicide". It's such an ugly word with ugly connotations. And it's THEIR word… the normies, the NPCs, the pro-life/pro-suffering, anti-choice majority…

So yeah, why not have our own terms that WE own and identify with?

It's also a term that really comes from a time when the act was illegal and considered deeply immoral etc. Which is probably why it sounds similar to other crimes or horrible deeds like "homicide" or "infanticide" etc.

But we're also kind of stuck with it in a way too. CTB works well as an abbreviation when texting on screen, not so much when talking though as "catch the bus" is too long.

Sometimes I use "un-aliving". That works well too.

 

[deathisapanacea]

I too don't feel nice about using words like CTB or even Firearm. I prefer using blunt words like Suicide and Gun respectively.