NationStates Jolt Archive

Hey, I'm just wondering whats the point of all the profanity? I have never seen any sense in it, so why do it? Just wonderin... Please inform me..preferably minus the profanity...

well in theory if profanity is rare then its use would indicate extreme emotion and serves to inform the listener or reader of your emotional state. If you're a foul mouthed little bastard who swears all the time then obviously this ceases to be true.

Profanity is a leftover of the Victorian age in which puritanical morals caused words to represent the taboos of awkward, bodily, and/or sexual behavior to be formulated. Gradually, those words also because taboos.

It stays profane precisely because we cannot politely say it. If it were culturally acceptable to use the Most Heinious And Profane F-Word Of Doom, anyone who cared would either grow used to it or live with cotton in their ears.

However, conversely, it stays as such a powerful expression because it is unable to be said.

If it were culturally acceptable to use the Most Heinious And Profane F-Word Of Doom, anyone who cared would either grow used to it or live with cotton in their ears.

However, conversely, it stays as such a powerful expression because it is unable to be said.

two things. i think it is growing culturally acceptable-listen to pop music and rap and hip hop and stuff. yeah, it's there. a lot.

and that's why (to me at least) the word fuck is losing its zing. now it's everywhere, and it doesn't have the same shock value. for instance, if i went into a crowded room and scream, "FUCK!" i'd get a few dirty looks, maybe a couple gasps, but pretty soon everyone would be back to what they were doing before.

Usually because regular words don't suffice.

Some people cannot express there anger without using expletive deletives.

Some people have a poor vocabulary.

Some people think it is cool.

Some people don't even know the true meaning of the word "intercourse"?

Some people cannot express there anger without using expletive deletives.

Some people have a poor vocabulary.

Some people think it is cool.

Some people don't even know the true meaning of the word "intercourse"?

Sometimes you drop that box full of books on your ingrown toe, or wind up leaning against a car door just before it pops open in the middle of the interstate (both of which have happened to me or my sister), and there's really just not any other word suitable to describe the way it makes you feel.

wind up leaning against a car door just before it pops open in the middle of the interstate (both of which have happened to me or my sister) Ouch, wow, were you ok? I can definitely say that's never happened to me. Although I do curse a bit, sometimes more and sometimes less. It depends on my mood. I try not to most of the time, but if I'm frustrated or angry or just in a bad temper... well, I cuss a lot.

Some people cannot express there anger without using expletive deletives.

Some people have a poor vocabulary.

Some people think it is cool.

Some people don't even know the true meaning of the word "intercourse"?

All of those are true. But also:

Some people find cuss words to be incredibly expressive, largely because of their force and taboo status in our culture.

Some people think true intercourse is about communication, and some people prefer to use the entire range of their vocabulary, which happens to include cusses.

Some people think that, when writing, it behooves you to use the most effective and precise word you can, which is sometimes the biggest word, but more often the more common and simpler word. As far as I know, every language has cusses, and some people believe that is because they fill a niche in communication.

Some people would say that people who abstain from cussing at all costs are unecessarily limiting thier own ability to communicate.

As far as I know, every language has cusses,

I'm told that Japanese has no swearwords but that's one of those things i'm forever being corrected and counter-corrected on.

Profanity is the last crutch of the ignorant motherfucker.

:eek: Hey, stop f***ing cussing, you f***ing little f***!

Swearing is pretty much just used to emphasize something IMO.

For example, if you're very very angry at someone, I think calling them a ****ing ***hole shows your anger more accurately than "I am very mad at you" or something like that....

Sware words are effecient, and extremely good at conveying emotions.

Which sounds better "You're a mother fucker" or "You are someone who has sex with his mother"?

By response I have a quote freom Inherit The Wind, a damn good story:
I don't swear for the hell of it. Language is a poor enough means of communication. We've got to use all the words we've got. Besides, there are damn few words anybody understands.

Those little "half" swear words (the ones that aren't very severe) are quite handy. Like "Get off the fricken couch!" instead of just something boring and feeble like, "Get off the stupid couch!"

Lots of times when my parents swear I burst out laughing. Comedies wouldn't be the same without a little profanity.