Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pope OoO (Out of Order) on October 14, 2012 at 2:49pm

I've seen some heavy swearers living in some really, really nice trailers.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Strega on October 14, 2012 at 4:57pm

Stephen Fry rocks!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Donald S. Chase on October 14, 2012 at 8:49am

I had a drill sergeant in basic training who was not content to use a "cuss" word every other word but would actually add "cuss syllables" to words, like absofuckinglutely and evergoddamndently.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gregg R Thomas on October 14, 2012 at 9:17am

George Carlin said it best "They're just words, they can't hurt you." I miss George and now Hitch, the world is a duller place without them. :(

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Obfuskation on October 14, 2012 at 10:30am

afuckingmen

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Peggy Kemp on October 14, 2012 at 10:38am

I don't believe cursing is morally wrong.  I do believe that we are overusing the few curse words we own. Remember, you can't just make these words up.  You can add a sylable or a word here and there to enhance or improve the word's impact, but we have a limited supply.  We should conserve our inventory. 

I grew up when the word CRAP would elicit a gasp.  I also wore white gloves to go shopping downtown--notice I didn't say at the MALL.  I don't remember when I didn't curse under my breath, but in the last few years, I've been known to drop a few bombs--not that well received at the bridge table. 

I still have trouble actually writing the words, and I don't like to hear them in everyday settings like the grocery store.  Personally, I'm reserving the really good words for when I hit a ball out of bounds, or when someone steals my parking spot.  I probably won't say FUCK again just because my finesse didn't work.  It really wasn't worth it.  Not only am I the only professed atheist among my friends, but I'm the only liberal.  I'll bet that when my friends speak of me, they begin, "Bless her heart." I really need to set a good example, but then, I think, "Screw that."

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathleen on October 14, 2012 at 11:36am

They are just words. They won't hurt you. Without them dirt limericks would lose their appeal.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Strega on October 14, 2012 at 1:35pm

Before we had computers, and the ability to manipulate text fonts with underlinings, italics and boldness, swear words enabled us to format our speech for emphasis.  I think of the typed swear word as a kind of exclamation mark.  It is sometimes a welcome addition to a long paragraph, but entirely optional.  And sometimes new words, like 'fucktard' are just priceless.

I do find it bizarre that some people feel that it is OK to say, "the 'F' word" but not to actually say "fuck".  Or "the 'C' word".  Does this scrabble-bag approach render the word (which they are communicating pretty clearly) in some way cleansed?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pope OoO (Out of Order) on October 14, 2012 at 3:18pm

Does this scrabble-bag approach render the word (which they are communicating pretty clearly) in some way cleansed?

Symbolically, yes. But language is all about communicating with symbols, sounds or writings that carry meaning. They aren't "just sounds", but just by changing a word's spelling or pronunciation (etc.), you can make a clear change to it's intended meaning.

I should add, respect and relative status are also an inherent part of communication. You might want to question why you need to adjust your speech according to who you're talking to, but you might not even think about how you're automatically being nice to someone who's important to you, or above you in a significant way. It's so built into us by the time we've grown up, a lot of it's become sub-conscious, like riding a bike.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Strega on October 14, 2012 at 3:21pm

Well, fook.  Now I know! :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by onyango makagutu on October 14, 2012 at 1:36pm

Without repeating what my mates have said, I think context would matter. I live in a place where people are mostly conservative and again religious and see cuss words as bordering on the immoral. Given such a scenario, depending on my audience I may not use cuss words even if in my view they would bring the point home more forcefully! That said, I do think cuss words when used moderately have almost a poetic effect.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dale Headley on October 14, 2012 at 1:51pm

The “morality” of cussing has nothing to do with the word itself, but with the intent behind it.  I was once called a sonofabitch in an expression of friendship, and was the happier for it.  Words without context have no moral content.  But any word meant to hurt is immoral.  

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page