Whats the word for...

A dog returning to it's own vomit.
*Edit. Ahh. Recidivism. Good to learn a new word.
 
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Six6siX said:
This, I think.
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Well no, that would imply they do it purely for the negative consequences.

The term "glutton for punishment" refers to someone who wants their life to be difficult or at least does something solely for the struggle involved. Would be like drinking to get a hang over.
 
Fenris said:
Well no, that would imply they do it purely for the negative consequences.

The term "glutton for punishment" refers to someone who wants their life to be difficult.
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But this is exactly what the OP describes? :confused:

Gets drunk (negative result = hangover being the 'difficult' bit)

Only to do it all over again a few days later implies they indulge in the act of drinking loads knowing of the consequences and although the aftermath isn't the immediate result, by repeating the act, they are bringing about the 'difficulty' and are a "glutton for punishment"

That's how I see it!
 
Six6siX said:
Gets drunk (negative result = hangover being the 'difficult' bit)

Only to do it all over again a few days later implies they indulge in the act of drinking loads knowing of the consequences and although the aftermath isn't the immediate result, by repeating the act, they are bringing about the 'difficulty' and are a "glutton for punishment"
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Yes but what matters is whether or not the person involved does it PURELY for the negative consequence.

Going out and getting drunk with your mates on a night out, getting a killer hangover, not enjoying said hangover but doing it again the next weekend because that's just what you do on a night out can be classes as recidivism, though usually it wouldn't as it's fairly common place in this day and age.

Consistently going out and drinking to excess when it isn't called for so you experience the negative effects is being a glutton for punishment.

You could call it not learning from past experiences.
 
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Fenris said:
Yes but what matters is whether or not the person involved does it PURELY for the negative consequence.

Going out and getting drunk with your mates on a night out, getting a killer hangover, not enjoying said hangover but doing it again the next weekend because that's just what you do on a night out is recidivism.

Consistently going out and drinking to excess when it isn't called for so you experience the negative effects is being a glutton for punishment.
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Hmm that makes sense, though most references seem to be more of a legal / criminal activity context, it fits the bill. It wouldn't be a word I'd think to use in everyday conversation however... :p

I have always used the phrase "glutton for punishment" in a situation like the OP's, seemingly incorrectly.

Common sense suggests that if you didn't like the negative outcome last time, you wouldn't drink as much the next time.... (but that doesn't ever happen :p)

By repeating it, it suggests that you DID like the outcome...

But you didn't do it for the outcome, that's just a by-product you were aware of...but did it anyway...

What if someone was into a bit of bondage, pain etc in the bedroom. Are they a glutton for punishment? - because the pain (negative effect) is a result of something they are putting themselves through to get their rocks off...

I'm confused. What were we talking about again? :p
 
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