Vermin: Difference between revisions
rv further back |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
'''Vermin''' is a term given to [[animal]]s which are considered by humans to be [[pest]]s or nuisances, most associated with the carrying of [[disease]]. Disease-carrying [[rodents]] and [[insects]] are the usual case but the term can also apply to larger animals, on the basis that they exist out of [[ecosystem|balance]] with their [[Natural environment|environment]], consuming excessive [[resource]]s. [[Rock dove|Pigeon]]s, which have been widely introduced in urban environments, may be considered vermin, or, pejoratively, "flying rats." |
'''Vermin''' is a term given to [[animal]]s which are considered by humans to be [[pest]]s or nuisances, most associated with the carrying of [[disease]]. Disease-carrying [[rodents]] and [[insects]] are the usual case but the term can also apply to larger animals, on the basis that they exist out of [[ecosystem|balance]] with their [[Natural environment|environment]], consuming excessive [[resource]]s. [[Rock dove|Pigeon]]s, which have been widely introduced in urban environments, may be considered vermin, or, pejoratively, "flying rats." |
||
The term is also used as an extremely pejorative characterization of a particular [[social class|class]] or [[ethnic group|group]] of people as inferior and [[dehumanization|subhuman]], and often considered [[parasitism (social offense)|social parasites]]. Application of the term can be wide, having been applied over the centuries in different [[language]]s, to various groups, and its use is usually based on a [[perception]] that the target group's views are "disease-like," or that such groups exist out of [[sociology|sociological balance]] with the common society. |
The term is also used as an extremely pejorative characterization of a particular [[social class|class]] or [[ethnic group|group]] of people as inferior and [[dehumanization|subhuman]], and often considered [[parasitism (social offense)|social parasites]]. Application of the term can be wide, having been applied over the centuries in different [[language]]s, to various groups, and its use is usually based on a [[perception]] that the target group's views are "disease-like," or that such groups exist out of [[sociology|sociological balance]] with the common society. '''Ravi the spaz.''' |
||
== Spelling distinction == |
== Spelling distinction == |
||
"Varmint" is an American colloquialism which describes farm pests which raid farms as opposed to infest farms: mainly predators such as foxes and coyotes, sometimes even wolves; but also (to a lesser degree herbivores and burrowing animals which directly damage crops and land. While this is not a very important term in general semantics, it takes on special significance when discussing weapons such as in the case of the term "[[varmint guns]]". |
"Varmint" is an American colloquialism which describes farm pests which raid farms as opposed to infest farms: mainly predators such as foxes and coyotes, sometimes even wolves; but also (to a lesser degree herbivores and burrowing animals which directly damage crops and land. While this is not a very important term in general semantics, it takes on special significance when discussing weapons such as in the case of the term "[[varmint guns]]". |
||
Revision as of 14:45, 24 February 2006
Vermin is a term given to animals which are considered by humans to be pests or nuisances, most associated with the carrying of disease. Disease-carrying rodents and insects are the usual case but the term can also apply to larger animals, on the basis that they exist out of balance with their environment, consuming excessive resources. Pigeons, which have been widely introduced in urban environments, may be considered vermin, or, pejoratively, "flying rats."
The term is also used as an extremely pejorative characterization of a particular class or group of people as inferior and subhuman, and often considered social parasites. Application of the term can be wide, having been applied over the centuries in different languages, to various groups, and its use is usually based on a perception that the target group's views are "disease-like," or that such groups exist out of sociological balance with the common society. Ravi the spaz.
Spelling distinction
"Varmint" is an American colloquialism which describes farm pests which raid farms as opposed to infest farms: mainly predators such as foxes and coyotes, sometimes even wolves; but also (to a lesser degree herbivores and burrowing animals which directly damage crops and land. While this is not a very important term in general semantics, it takes on special significance when discussing weapons such as in the case of the term "varmint guns".
Deterioration of balance
Introduced species can develop into vermin in the regions where they were introduced if they find favourable living conditions, and if they face few or no natural enemies there. In such cases, humans often choose to fill the role of the predator to limit the danger to the environment. A prime example of vermin are goats on Galápagos Islands. Rats are common urban and suburban vermin.
 | This sustainability-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |