(no subject)

[furrbear]

Posts today by both Ernie (faghatesgods) and Dean (envirobear) [both Friends-only, sorry] brought to mind the dichotomy of meaning between the words "naked" and "nude".

I got a chuckle out of it because it brought back to mind a lesson in senior Honors English with the one teacher who would later become a friend in later life. We were concentrating on poetry at the time and were discussing 'connotation' versus 'denotation' and word choice; of course, the example words were 'naked' and 'nude'. Along with that, there was a wonderful poem illustrating the difference, which instantly came to mind on first reading of Dean's post.

At any rate, I decided to share...

The Naked and the Nude Robert Graves For me, the naked and the nude (By lexicographers construed As synonyms that should express The same deficiency of dress Or shelter) stand as wide apart As love from lies, or truth from art. Lovers without reproach will gaze On bodies naked and ablaze; The Hippocratic eye will see In nakedness, anatomy; And naked shines the Goddess when She mounts her lion among men. The nude are bold, the nude are sly To hold each treasonable eye. While draping by a showman's trick Their dishabille in rhetoric, They grin a mock-religious grin Of scorn at those of naked skin. The naked, therefore, who compete Against the nude may know defeat; Yet when they both together tread The briary pastures of the dead, By Gorgons with long whips pursued, How naked go the sometime nude!

What are your thoughts on being nude as opposed to simply being naked?

Does the use of 'nude' tend to evoke a certain seediness? Does its use use often carry a negative connotation?

Comments

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

To me "naked" implies being in an unnatural state, where "nude" refers to a return to a natural state.

(I've been to naturist camps. I've gotten my "all-over" at Haulover. I think I can speak on this.)

[hickbear.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, maybe it's my immersion in All Things Suthun, but for me "nude" and "naked" are pretty much the same, while the difference of "OK" and "seedy" is between "naked" and "nekkid".

This difference was summed up by, of all folks, Jeff Foxworthy in one of his comedy routines from 20-mumble years ago. I saw him as the opening act for the opening act at a comedy club in Atlanta when he was first starting out, and this was his biggest laugh of the night:

You know, there's a huge difference between bein' "naked" and being "nekkid". When you're "naked", you ain't got no clothes on. When you're "nekkid", you ain't got no clothes on and you're Up To Somethin'.

Since Bryon/hangnaildhole and I are nude/naked/unclothed pretty much every chance we get when we're home, I guess I just don't think that much about the differences. [shrug]

[envirobear.livejournal.com]

I do like Foxworthy's differentiation there...but I still view "nude" as a term used by straights for things like "nude dancers" and "nudist colonies", and when used by teh gheys, it is used by lurkers. Good lawd, even the places for gays that are NEKKID are called "clothing-optional", rarely "nude".

[gryphons-hole.livejournal.com]

Nude imagery is about the only use of the word I include in my language.

Maybe nude photos would be a second, but rare option.

I do not use it in reference to my body, or any other body present in real life.

[timcub.livejournal.com]

Okay, so... this lovely (and I do mean lovely: RAWR!) picture reminded me of something.

I need to chat with you sometime about the merits of a PA.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Whacha wanna know? <ThisName> AT gmail DAWT com

[sultmhoor.livejournal.com]

But what about nekkid?

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

'nekkid' is 'naked' with a southern accent and a leer

[mellowtigger]

*pondering word associations*

nude = plain
nude = crass

naked = artistic
naked = vulnerable

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I've always tended to agree that "nude" is simply unclothed, "naked" carries an implication of defenseless or vulnerability.

[tbass.livejournal.com]

You should definitely get naked and post more nude photos.

[sunbeam-bears.livejournal.com]

We consider ourselves nudists, not nakedists.

[gryphons-hole.livejournal.com]

I think nude conveys a sense of undeserved propriety, like the person is trying to equate their nakedness to an artful image...

Of the three possibilities:
Naked is what I am often, without clothing.
Nekkid is without clothing specifically for naughty intent.

Nude is a color, like nude pantyhose....

[cuboz.livejournal.com]

Oh my!

I think the serious discussion between the words "naked" and "nude" were somewhat lost on me because all my attention was focused on those 2 LOVELY pictures....and all your furrrrr! Yum!

But, I would say 'naked' more so to describe something or someone without attire, or accoutrement's, etc - such as a naked flame, or "he felt naked without his umbrella"...

Where 'nude' does, to me, seem more relevant to describe a person's state of undress - hence we more likely use the term "nude beach", than "naked beach".

In any terms, I just ADORE your pictures, and would LOVE to get nekkid with you, that's for sure! :-)

xxx

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

Hmmn well besides the wonderful pics - we normally go that naked and nude are the same...

[bookish-cub.livejournal.com]

I've always felt that "nude" had a less unseemly connotation than "naked." I suppose that it's because pieces of art are called "nudes" and not "nakeds."