Talk:juggernaut

Offensive word for a truck

It must be included that "juggernaut" is an offensive word for a truck. In the late 1960's and early 1970's some politicians and certain newspapers used the term "juggernaut lorries" offensively to try to create public support in their campaign to ban lorries from towns etc., since the word "lorry" by itself sounded far too benign. By the mid 1970's they had dropped the term "juggernaut lorries" in favour of the word "juggernauts" (in the plural). The offensive nature of the word "juggernaut" has declined somewhat over forty years due to hackneyed use but it's still offensive. I use the word "truck" in the article since the use of the word "lorry" is confined only to certain parts of Britain. A "lorry" was a horse-drawn vehicle, so a Diesel-engined vehicle became known as "motor lorry". The word "motor" was later dropped. In many areas of Britain the word "lorry" is not used in favour of "wagon" ("waggon") or "truck". Outside Britain the word "lorry" is hardly used and probably not understood by most English speakers. Apgeraint 09:31, 9 April 2006 (UTC)

That seems a little over the top. The 1980s BBC children's cartoon Pigeon Street included a song about a lorry driver which started "Long Distance Clara drives a juggernaught", and she was a good character. Also, the UK Highway Code uses "lorry" as do many official road signs, so everyone in Britain at least understands it even if they prefer a word like "truck" in everyday speech. 195.194.238.103 11:55, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

Added a "sometimes derogatory" gloss. Equinox ◑ 11:57, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

Institution

Where did this third definition - "An institution that incites destructive devotion or to which people are carelessly sacrificed" come from? I've never heard it before. -- Unsigned

Looks like a semantic extension of the first sense. — Ungoliant ^(Falai) 03:50, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Comic character

Juggernaught is also the name of a Marvel Comics Superhuman.--71.109.37.168 21:46, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

Not dictionary material. Equinox ◑ 11:57, 4 July 2016 (UTC)