Using the term 'commit' to refer to suicide

[the_etherealmuse]

In many contexts, suicide is often referred to using the term 'commit'.
The word 'commit' insinuates a criminal or immoral act, which suicide is decidedly not.
Some more appropriate alternatives include 'attempt' or 'die by'.

 

[J&L383]

"die by" seems to be the most popular term currently used.

 

[FuneralCry]

I understand and it's just so cruel to me how we exist in this horrific world where suicide is seen as a crime with the suffering and torture of human existence seen as to force and prolong no matter what, I always suffer so much from being enslaved in this existence with peaceful, guaranteed death so cruelly denied for me, I wish it's not seen as a crime to want peace from the torturous burden of human existence, all I wish for is to never exist ever again.

 

[Worndown]

To pledge or bind a person to a certain course or policy.

 

[miyabi]

Yeah, it's a pet peeve of mine. It does go back to when suicide was a crime (in the UK atleast). it's old fashioned and I think it does subtly influence people into blaming suicide victims as if they're committing some crime against their friends/family or whatever and putting the blame on them.

 

[Echo]

Yes I loathe the term commit suicide. It's no longer an illegal act in the uk so I wish it was no longer referred to this way.
I prefer 'died by suicide' or 'took their own life'.

 

[Droso]

Well I certainly am committing to the action of suicide. LOL.

I'm not sure how I feel about the term. I rather it be framed that I chose to do this rather than it being a tragedy. But your points about the phrase being similar to committing crimes is true.

 

[charcoalcat]

I like the term 'liberated by suicide'. If this term is commonly used I believe more people would go.

 

[Intoxicated]

In many contexts, suicide is often referred to using the term 'commit'.
The word 'commit' insinuates a criminal or immoral act, which suicide is decidedly not.

I thought about it as something like

$ git commit suicide -m "Goodbye"

Some more appropriate alternatives include 'attempt' or 'die by'.

"Accomplish suicide" would be fair enough.

 

[Fresh Soju]

I thought about it as something like

$ git commit suicide -m "Goodbye"

Me too, omg.

 

[Forveleth]

$ git commit suicide -m "Goodbye"

I will never be able to unthink this.

 

[Kali_Yuga13]

It does take an element of commitment to follow through with the act (if it's not an impulse suicide). Like bungee jumping or skydiving, you go through the effort to get to a great height but then you have to commit to the plan or back out. Except no one says they "committed skydiving"! Should we reframe it by saying a person "went suiciding"? :D

I like what @charcoalcat said with "liberated by suicide". Additional offerings are "sought emancipation through suicide", "untethered themselves from the mortal coil". For our MAGA brethren, we can say "Made Death Great Again" & "Found Freedom". Libertarians can say they "Permanently Escaped Taxation". Gamers can say "Rage Quit Life due to Design Flaw".

 

[WhiteRabbit]

Die by suicide sounds clunky to me.

 

[itsoverforme303]

I prefer "commit sudoku"

 

[the_etherealmuse]

Yeah, it's a pet peeve of mine. It does go back to when suicide was a crime (in the UK atleast). it's old fashioned and I think it does subtly influence people into blaming suicide victims as if they're committing some crime against their friends/family or whatever and putting the blame on them.

Agreed, language does shape perception, atleast to some extent.

Well I certainly am committing to the action of suicide. LOL.

I'm not sure how I feel about the term. I rather it be framed that I chose to do this rather than it being a tragedy. But your points about the phrase being similar to committing crimes is true.

I see your point, but using 'commit' in relation to suicide often carries negative connotations, subtly reinforcing people's discomfort and judgement. Also, regardless of how the topic of suicide is framed, people are more likely to believe that it is a melancholic tragedy, rather than a choice to voluntarily end one's life. Of course, it could also be the former, but a lot of people are incapable of fathoming suicide as anything other than a desperate act of an individual in distress.

I like the term 'liberated by suicide'. If this term is commonly used I believe more people would go.

I like that phrase too, but i highly doubt it would be socially accepted.

I thought about it as something like

$ git commit suicide -m "Goodbye"


"Accomplish suicide" would be fair enough.

Ah yes, I cannot wait to accomplish suicide. Truly an accomplishment worthy of accolades.

It does take an element of commitment to follow through with the act (if it's not an impulse suicide). Like bungee jumping or skydiving, you go through the effort to get to a great height but then you have to commit to the plan or back out. Except no one says they "committed skydiving"! Should we reframe it by saying a person "went suiciding"? :D

I like what @charcoalcat said with "liberated by suicide". Additional offerings are "sought emancipation through suicide", "untethered themselves from the mortal coil". For our MAGA brethren, we can say "Made Death Great Again" & "Found Freedom". Libertarians can say they "Permanently Escaped Taxation". Gamers can say "Rage Quit Life due to Design Flaw".

Might I suggest "sailed beyond the horizon of existence" and "found serenity in the eternal embrace of the cosmos"
In comparison, the term 'suicide' feels clinical. Why not breath a little whimsy into our lives, and our speculation of what lies beyond it?

Die by suicide sounds clunky to me.

Consider "upgraded to the afterlife" instead.

 

[Kbeau]

In many contexts, suicide is often referred to using the term 'commit'.
The word 'commit' insinuates a criminal or immoral act, which suicide is decidedly not.
Some more appropriate alternatives include 'attempt' or 'die by'.

Couldn't agree more. "Commit suicide" is just an awful and judgmental term.