NationStates Jolt Archive

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, cun, twat et cetera?

They are all words, no different from table, pillow, Montana et cetera.

Does anyone here get offended by those words? Why?

And why do parents try to sheild their children from those words, is not as if they'll never hear them???

And why do Sheila Broslofski-esque parents make such an outcry over themwhen the appear on the T.V?

Example:

I'm offended you scallywag poot-waddle, you promoter of nincompoopery and diatribe.

You should shut the Beelzebub up and go oral-copulate with your thumb.


:D See, we don't need 'bad words too!' :p

Because they've been told all their lives that they should be offended by them and like good little sheeple they follow orders.

Example:

I'm offended you scallywag poot-waddle, you promoter of nincompoopery and diatribe.

You should shut the Beelzebub up and go oral-copulate with your thumb.


:D See, we don't need 'bad words too!' :p

LOL.

But why should there be a need for such OTT censorship???

Because it ain't polite.

Plus, profanities are supposed to MEAN something. Like the level of seriousness/frustration in a persons conversation. :) Or thats how I interpret it.

Example : lets get out of here (Lets get out of here.. maybe in 10 minutes tops)
lets get the FUCK out of here (NOW)

Because they've been told all their lives that they should be offended by them and like good little sheeple they follow orders.

More indoctrination!

We really ought to stop this inane feature of our society. But we wont.

"Sheeple". Good word. Gotta use it sometime.

If some people didn't get offended by swear words they'd be no point in using them

Because it ain't polite.

Neither is putting your elbows on the table, but you don't see the soccer moms burning cafes that allow this practice.

Can we have comment from someone who is offended by the practise of swearing?

If some people didn't get offended by swear words they'd be no point in using them

Don't know about others, but for me swearing helps lose some of my anger.

Neither is putting your elbows on the table, but you don't see the soccer mo0ms burning cafes that allow this practice.

Can we have comment from someone who is offended by the practise of swearing?

I think thats the point. If everybody starts to swear.. Then it loses it's meaning. We'd have to come up with other swear words.. :(

People shouldn't get offended by the words themselves. What is offensive is the blatant overuse of the words in question. When you say "fuck" in every other sentance, you're not using the word to make a point. You're using the word because you have too limited a vocabulary to use ordinary words to get your meaning across. Which normally implies: A) Your intellectual capacity is questionable, B) You are too lazy to bother to pick up a book and expand your vocabulary beyond that which is available to a pre-teen, or C) You're being deliberately annoying.

In a literary sense, profanities are shortcuts used to describe the seriousness of a matter, that is better accomplished by using non-profane words, if time permits.

In the case of shielding children, the intent is not to keep them "safe" from "evil" words, but rather to have them grow into an adult way of speaking, rather than insisting on sounding like an uncouth throwback, because it sounds cool, and is offensive to grownups.

I think thats the point. If everybody starts to swear.. Then it loses it's meaning. We'd have to come up with other swear words.. :(

A vicious circle, eh?

We swear to offend, and people are irrationally offended by it?

Makes sense in many cases.

So, is anyone out there a soccer mom who is offended by profanity?

And why are they called "soccer moms"?

-=Snip=-.

Couldn't have putted it better.

i find many words and phrases to be offensive. i am quite happy that there are still some people with enough decency to refrain from automatically talking that way in front of me. im quite happy with the general ban on swearing on TV. i have no desire to have "family" tv turned into a contest of how many times the word fuck can be used in one half hour comedy.

i dont care what other people watch or listen to. hbo, showtime, etc seem to have plenty of shows that use all the words you long to hear. i dont watch them, i dont care. there are lots of songs with vile language that are very popular with lots of people. i dont listen to them, i dont care.

the only use there is of banning and fining for certain words is that its the only way to keep them off regular tv. otherwise they would start "sneaking" them in just as they have all the other words that were forbidden in the 50s (like the word pregnant). the tv networks would love to substitute what little quality they have now with sex and swear words. no thanks.

that shielding kids thing is for people who live in a dream world where 10 year olds dont swear more than their great grandfathers did in ww2.

i find many words and phrases to be offensive. i am quite happy that there are still some people with enough decency to refrain from automatically talking that way in front of me. im quite happy with the general ban on swearing on TV. i have no desire to have "family" tv turned into a contest of how many times the word fuck can be used in one half hour comedy.

i dont care what other people watch or listen to. hbo, showtime, etc seem to have plenty of shows that use all the words you long to hear. i dont watch them, i dont care. there are lots of songs with vile language that are very popular with lots of people. i dont listen to them, i dont care.

the only use there is of banning and fining for certain words is that its the only way to keep them off regular tv. otherwise they would start "sneaking" them in just as they have all the other words that were forbidden in the 50s (like the word pregnant). the tv networks would love to substitute what little quality they have now with sex and swear words. no thanks.

that shielding kids thing is for people who live in a dream world where 10 year olds dont swear more than their great grandfathers did in ww2.


Makes sense.

I truly belive that I've learned more about the offense caused by profanity than in the previous 16 years of my existence.

More indoctrination!

We really ought to stop this inane feature of our society. But we wont.

"Sheeple". Good word. Gotta use it sometime.
I didn't invent the term, but I like it too.

I didn't invent the term, but I like it too.

Who did?

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, cun, twat et cetera?

They are all words, no different from table, pillow, Montana et cetera.
Hey, the word "Montana" is very offensive to me.

It's not the words, it's the way they're used. 'Idiot' isn't a profanity but it can be offensive when used (in)appropriately. People using swearwords as often as certain people here do come across as obnoxious, inconsiderate, and as though they're deliberately trying to be offensive.

There's a simple solution. Just don't. If something offends other people, regardless of whether you think it is an irrational reaction or not, just don't do it. I don't urinate in public because other people wouldn't like it very much. Thus, I don't swear in public, I don't set fire to peoples' underpants (in public), I don't take off all my clothes and start humping peoples' legs (in public), etc, etc, etc. There are such better ways to express yourself than swearing that the words themselves are completely unnecessary anyway.

If some people didn't get offended by swear words they'd be no point in using them

This is precisely the reason they are used: to shock and offend.
;) I think the site definition of someone who posts things simply to shock and offend is a troll...

Seriously, though, it shows rather a lack of imagination and vocabulary if you cannot think of another way to express yourself than swearing. Any illiterate fool can swear. It takes someone with a bit of wit to make their opponent look ineffectual.

This is precisely the reason they are used: to shock and offend.
;) I think the site definition of someone who posts things simply to shock and offend is a troll...

Seriously, though, it shows rather a lack of imagination and vocabulary if you cannot think of another way to express yourself than swearing. Any illiterate fool can swear. It takes someone with a bit of wit to make their opponent look ineffectual.

What about swearing when you drop a katana and catch it by the blade?

It's sore, I can testify to that.

No reason to be offended by them, as they are used so frequently, and lost all meaning.

I think it's funny that people say we shouldn't be offended by the words "fuck" and "shit"...but we should be offended by "******" and "fag".

*yawns*

Who did?
I'm not sure. I don't even remember where I picked it up.

Hey, the word "Montana" is very offensive to me.
A guy in Texas shot someone for saying the word "New Jersey". Certain words, including New Jersey enraged him for some reason.

I think it's funny that people say we shouldn't be offended by the words "fuck" and "shit"...but we should be offended by "******" and "fag".

*yawns*
Well, many uses of "fuck" and "shit" don't attack a person or group of people. For example, "That's fucking cool". ****** and Fag are words used to imply that one group of people is inferior to others.

Well, many uses of "fuck" and "shit" don't attack a person or group of people. For example, "That's fucking cool". ****** and Fag are words used to imply that one group of people is inferior to others.
I dunno. I think the overuse of the word "fuck" implies the mental inferiority of the user. *shrugs*

I dunno. I think the overuse of the word "fuck" implies the mental inferiority of the user. *shrugs*

Well, if it implies the mental inferiority of the user, why would the recipient get offended?

Mr. Mackey, can I ask a question? What's the big fucking deal, bitch?

actually the word fag, is derived from the word faggot, which originally meant, "a bundle of sticks fit for burning.

Also, I have heard people use the F word as a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. It has no legitament meaning anymore and its use is intended to either offend, or to attempt to convey some form of anger, or to fill in a gap when someone cannot think of a more meaningful word to say.

I do not use such words, as there are many better ways to express yourself, also, from a religious note, the second time peter denied he was associated with Jesus, a maiden said that he talked like one of Jesus's followers. After being told this, he started cursing and swearing and denied Jesus again...Some people won't care about this, but if any christians post here, that love to curse, take note, you are talking like one who wanted to hide his affiliation with Jesus...Just some food for thought...

I only got offended if it's aimed at me, but that's just the same with any insult. I might be more offended because I know it's meant to be more offensive. I think it's the intent of the word that makes it have meaning. When it's intended to cause no harm whatsoever ("...fucking cool..") it's just like any adjective to me. If it's intended to cause harm ("... fucking bitch...") then it's going to offend me more because their objective is to insult, demean, criticise etc.

It could apply to any word that people assign meaning to and use in a way intended to provoke some reaction.

I feel that in the case that was brought up, and in many other cases, saying "Who the Fuck are you?!" is much more potent than any alternative. The emphasis is undeniable. Maybe because it's designed to offend, but maybe because it just sounds good.

Does anyone know why Soccer Moms are called so?

My guess is that they drove their sons to soccer practise, feeling that it was more appropriate that football (U.S style).

For a comprehensive list of dirty words, go to http://www.georgecarlin.com then click on 'Documents' in the main menu. Then on '2443 dirty words'.

It's even broken down into category. :D

I dunno. I think the overuse of the word "fuck" implies the mental inferiority of the user. *shrugs*
Well, fuck it then.

Parents are incredibly hypocritical when it comes to swearing they'll walk in when your listening to music and tell you to turn that shit off then complain when the music contains swearing.

Well, fuck it then.

Here's a complete list for words meaning 'fornication' as listed on George Carlin's website. Lots of fun replacements for 'fuck' to be found. :D

A BIT OF JAM
ACTION
BALL
BALLOCK
BALONEY RIDE
BANANAS AND CREAM
BANG
BASKET MAKING
BATTER
BEEF
BEEF INJECTION
BE IN A WOMAN'S BEEF
BELLY RIDE
BELT
BLANKET DRILL
BLOW OFF THE LOOSE CORNS
BOARD
BOFF
BONE
BORE
BOTTLE
BOUNCE
BUMP
BUMP FUR
BUNNY FUCK
BURY ONE'S WICK
BURY THE BONE
BUSH PATROL
BUZZ THE BRILLO
CANE
CHANGE ONE'S LUCK
CHARGE
CHUCK A TREAD
CLIMB
COCK UP
COME ACROSS
COUPLE WITH
COVER
CRACK IT
CRAM
CRAWL
CREAM
CUT
DANCE THE MATTRESS
DAUB OF THE BRUSH
DICK
DICKY DUNK
DIDDLE
DIP YOUR STINGER IN THE HONEY
DIP YOUR STICK
DIP YOUR WICK
DIRTY WORK AT THE CROSSROADS
DO
DO A DIVE IN THE DARK
DO A FLOP
DO A PUSH
DO A SLIDE UP THE BOARD
DOG
DO IT
DO THE DEED
DO THE NASTY
EASE NATURE
EXCHANGE SPITS
FEATHER-BED
FEED THE DUMMY
FIDDLE
FIRK
FIT END TO END
FIX HER PLUMBING
FLESH SESSION
FLOP
FLOP IN THE HAY
FOUR-LEGGED FROLIC
FRIG
FUCK
FUN AND GAMES
GET A BIT
GET A CHUNK
GET A CRUMPET
GET A HUNK
GET A LITTLE
GET A PIECE
GET A SNIPPET
GET A WET ONE
GET HOME
GET IN
GET INTO HER PANTS
GET INTO SOME SERIOUS FLESH
GET IT ON
GET JACK IN THE ORCHARD
GET LAID
GET LUCKY
GET ONE'S ASHES HAULED
GET ONE'S GREENS
GET ONE'S LEATHER STRETCHED
GET ONE'S NOODLE WET
GET ONE'S OIL CHANGED
GET SOME
GET SOME ACTION
GET SOME ASS
GET SOME CRACK
GET SOME HAIR
GET SOME HOLE
GET SOME PUSSY
GET SOME STUFF
GET SOME TAIL
GET SOME TWEEZE
GET YOUR BEAN WAXED
GET YOUR POLE VARNISHED
GIVE HER A STAB
GO ALL THE WAY
GO LIKE A BELT-FED MOTOR
GO TO BED WITH
GO TO IT
GO TO TOWN
GO VAULTING
GREASE THE WHEEL
GRIND
GRIND ONE'S TOOL
HANKY-PANKY
HAVE
HAVE A BIT
HAVE A BIT OF GIBLET PIE
HAVE A BIT OF SUMMER CABBAGE
HAVE A BLOW THROUGH
HAVE SEX WITH
HIDE THE FERRET
HIDE THE SALAMI
HIT ON THE TAIL
HOCK
HOP ON
HORIZONTAL REFRESHMENT
HOSE
HOT ROLL WITH CREAM
HUMP
IMPALE
INTRODUCE CHARLEY
INVADE
IRISH WHIST
JAZZ
JINK
JOB
JOIN PAUNCHES
JOUNCE
JOY RIDE
JUG
JUKE
JUMP
JUMP ON ONE'S BONES
KNOCK
KNOCK OFF A PIECE
KNOW
LADIES' TAILORING
LAY
LAY OFF WITH
LAY SOME PIPE
LAY THE HIP
LAY THE LEG
LEAP
LEAP ON
LIE ON
LIE WITH
LOB IN
LOVE
MAKE
MAKE FEET FOR CHILDREN'S SHOES
MAKE IT
MAKE LOVE
MAKE OUT WITH
MAKE THE SCENE
MAKING BABIES
MAKIN' WHOOPEE
MATE
MESS AROUND
MINGLE LIMBS
MIX ONE'S PEANUT BUTTER
MOUNT
MUG
MUSS
NAIL
NAIL TWO BELLIES TOGETHER
NICK
NIG
NUB
NUG
NUT
OBLIGE
OFF
PARK YOUR YACHT IN HAIR HARBOR
PEEL ONE'S BEST END
PEG
PERFORM
PESTLE
PIECE
PIECE OF ASS
PIECE OF PUSSY
PIECE OF SNATCH
PIECE OF TAIL
PILE
PILE-DRIVING
PIN
PLANT THE OATS
PLAY AT ALL FOURS
PLAY HIDE THE BONE
PLOW
PLUCK
PLUG
POCKET THE RED
POKE
POLE
POLE WORK
POUSH YOUR ROCKET
POP
PORK
POST A LETTER
POUND
PUMP
PUNCH
PUSH
PUT THE BOOTS TO
PUT THE TOOL IN THE SHED
QUIMSTICKING
RAM
RIDE
RIP OFF
RITES OF VENUS
ROASTING THE BROOMSTICK
ROLL
ROLL IN THE HAY
ROCK
ROD
ROGER
ROMP
ROOT
ROOTLE
ROUST
RUB BACONS
RUB UP
RUMBLE
RUMPLE
RUTTING
SALT
SAW OFF A CHUNK
SCORE
SCREW
SCUTZ AROUND
SECRET SERVICES
SERVICE
SHACK UP
SHAFT
SHAG
SHAKE
SHAKE THE SHEETS
SHOOT BETWEEN WIND AND WATER
SHOOT ONE'S WAD
SHORT ARM PRACTICE
SHOVE
SHTUP
SINK THE SAUSAGE
SINK THE SOLDIER
SLAM
SLEEP WITH
SLIP HER A LENGTH
SLIP INTO
SPLIT
SPOIL
SQUAT JUMPS IN THE CUCUMBER PATCH
SQUATTIN' ON THE HOG
SQUEEZE AND A SQUIRT
STAB
STABLE MY NAGGIE
STROP ONE'S BEAK
STRUM
STUFF
SWING
TAIL-WORK
TAKE A TURN IN THE STUBBLE
TAKE A TURN ON SHOOTER'S HILL
TEAR OFF A PIECE
TEAR THE SHEETS
THE DISAPPEARING CANE TRICK
THE MATRIMONIAL POLKA
THREAD
THREAD THE NEEDLE
THROW A HUMP
THROW A LEG OVER
THROW A SHOT
THUMP
TIE THE TRUE LOVER'S KNOT
TIFF
TIP THE LONG ONE
TO BE INTIMATE
TOOLING IN THE WOODS
TOPS AND BOTTOMS
TRIM
TRIM THE BUFF
TRIP UP THE RHINE
TUMBLE
TUMPLE
TURN UP
TWIDDLE
VARNISH ONE'S CANE
VAULT
VITAMIN F
WAP
WHAM
WHAT MOTHER DID BEFORE ME
WIND THE CLOCK
WOMANIZE
WORK
WORK OUT
WORK THE DUMB ORACLE
WORK THE HAIRY ORACLE
YARD
YENTZ

A few nights ago I saw a 'behind the scenes' on the Sci-Fi channel and one of the viewers asked if their use of the word "Frak" will eventually get the work banned from TV. It's not a swear word right now but it's obviously being used in that context. Methinks that's the point, it's not the actual work itself but the context it's used in. ( ie. a dork, according to the dictionary technically is a penis... we use it differently )

As a society we have all 'agreed' that certain words are stronger than others. It's purely social semantics, 100 years from now we'll have a whole new set of slang and cuss words.

Obviously snipperised

How bored was this man???

[QUOTE=Ancient Squid Gods]People shouldn't get offended by the words themselves. What is offensive is the blatant overuse of the words in question. When you say "fuck" in every other sentance, you're not using the word to make a point. You're using the word because you have too limited a vocabulary to use ordinary words to get your meaning across. Which normally implies: A) Your intellectual capacity is questionable, B) You are too lazy to bother to pick up a book and expand your vocabulary beyond that which is available to a pre-teen, or C) You're being deliberately annoying.

In a literary sense, profanities are shortcuts used to describe the seriousness of a matter, that is better accomplished by using non-profane words, if time permits.
QUOTE]
What is offensive is other people saying that they know my intellect by the words that I speak. I have an I.Q. of 141, and a vocabulary that would dumbfound a Harvard Intellectual, but when it comes right down to it, I LIKE the word fuck! Not particularly sure why. Don't care either. Just like saying fuck. Its the most versatile word I know of for expressing emotion, and people always know what you mean! "Oh fuck!, fuck yeah!, motherfucker!, what the fuck?, you fucker!", and the ever popular,"son of a fucking bitch!"

How bored was this man???


Collecting dirty words has been his hobby since the late 1970s when he first listed the 'Seven Words You Can't Say on Television.'

:)

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, cun, twat et cetera?

They are all words, no different from table, pillow, Montana et cetera.

Does anyone here get offended by those words? Why?

And why do parents try to sheild their children from those words, is not as if they'll never hear them???

And why do Sheila Broslofski-esque parents make such an outcry over themwhen the appear on the T.V?

I'm not offended by those words, necessarily, but I think they're the sign of a poor vocabulary.

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, cun, twat et cetera?

Becuase of the implication of the words.
Although I have no idea what cun is.

They are all words, no different from table, pillow, Montana et cetera.

Well, if you mean they contain letters, then you are right. Otherwise you're completely wrong.

Does anyone here get offended by those words? Why?

I don't.

And why do parents try to sheild their children from those words, is not as if they'll never hear them???

Because children--and a lot of adults--don't understand the english language enough as it is, let alone have the ability to control their tongues when it comes to words that are socially deemed unacceptable.
I good judge of intelligence is whether someone relies on swears/curses to emphasize points they make since their vocabulary isn't deep enough to have any variety.

And why do Sheila Broslofski-esque parents make such an outcry over themwhen the appear on the T.V?

Refer to my previous reply about people learning how to develop language skills and learning what is and isn't crass.

Although I have no idea what cun is.

Sorry, I missed a "t".

It was supposed to be "****".

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, cun, twat et cetera?

They are all words, no different from table, pillow, Montana et cetera.

Does anyone here get offended by those words? Why?

And why do parents try to sheild their children from those words, is not as if they'll never hear them???

And why do Sheila Broslofski-esque parents make such an outcry over themwhen the appear on the T.V?
Ever hear of a condition called "Tourette's Disorder (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/)?" It's a neurological condition sometimes manifesting as "Coprolalia (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/symptoms/coprolalia.html):" cursing, uttering obscenities, the explosive utterance of foul or "dirty" words or more elaborate sexual, aggressive or insulting statements (e.g., racial slurs). Literally, “dung talking”, because of a compulsion to do so. The speech is not always swearing words, is neither intentional nor purposeful, and is not necessarily directed towards anyone.

"Coprolalia is considered a complex vocal tic and is undoubtedly the most striking, socially distressing, and dramatic symptom of Tourette Syndrome. However, coprolalia is not, as many people once thought, prerequisite to the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome."

Tourette Syndrome often appears in very young children who have heard few, if any curse words.

The point here is that "foul language" is neurologically linked. Perhaps that's one reason so many people react in highly negative ways to cursing.

Another reason is that it's an indication of a weak vocabulary, and thus of a lack of proper education and socalization.

What about swearing when you drop a katana and catch it by the blade?

It's sore, I can testify to that.

That is not in the context of normal conversation, though. That's more an interjection.

I can attest that I actually did utter the word "fuck" in class... the world did not end.

My laptop was yanked off the desk by someone tripping on the power cord, and when it hit, my DVD player was ejected from its bay in about 30 pieces.

I looked at it and said the one word very quietly as I started picking up the pieces... then realized where I was and said, "Sorry. Shouldn't have sad that in front of you." My class totally understood the situation, and we went on from there.

;) Then there was the time where I had the student who swore constantly and pretended he did not understand what "profanity", "cursing", "cussing", "bad words", "swear words" were. This had been going on all year, and when I tried to calmly explain yet again, he, smirking, asked me to clarify.

I did, listing in front of the entire class precisely the words that I no longer wanted to hear him utter in class, ticking them off on my fingers as I recited them. You could have heard a PIN drop in there.

A few minutes later, he asked for the pass to use the bathroom. Lo and behold, he came back with the AP, smirking. The AP said they had heard an interesting story and wanted to hear my side of it. So I explained that since he had yet again claimed ignorance of what I was talking about when I told him I didn't want to hear certain words again, I had explained it to him.

Apparently he had had similar problems in understanding this particular concept in other classes, also repeatedly. I was thanked for the clarification of the situation, and apparently, the distinction in which words he was not to utter in classes again was also later explained to his parents.

What I explained to my class afterwards was this: there is a time and a place for everything. A school or work situation is neither the time nor the place, and indeed, in a job, it could have consequences on your employment -- from being passed over for a promotion to actually being let go -- if you used language inappropriately in front of clients.

A few nights ago I saw a 'behind the scenes' on the Sci-Fi channel and one of the viewers asked if their use of the word "Frak" will eventually get the work banned from TV. It's not a swear word right now but it's obviously being used in that context. Methinks that's the point, it's not the actual work itself but the context it's used in. ( ie. a dork, according to the dictionary technically is a penis... we use it differently )

As a society we have all 'agreed' that certain words are stronger than others. It's purely social semantics, 100 years from now we'll have a whole new set of slang and cuss words.

What kind of frelling nut-burger wants to censor a word in a non-existent language? :-p I hope the writers of BSG tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.

Ever hear of a condition called "Tourette's Disorder (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/)?" It's a neurological condition sometimes manifesting as "Coprolalia (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/symptoms/coprolalia.html):" cursing, uttering obscenities, the explosive utterance of foul or "dirty" words or more elaborate sexual, aggressive or insulting statements (e.g., racial slurs). Literally, “dung talking”, because of a compulsion to do so. The speech is not always swearing words, is neither intentional nor purposeful, and is not necessarily directed towards anyone.

"Coprolalia is considered a complex vocal tic and is undoubtedly the most striking, socially distressing, and dramatic symptom of Tourette Syndrome. However, coprolalia is not, as many people once thought, prerequisite to the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome."

Tourette Syndrome often appears in very young children who have heard few, if any curse words.

The point here is that "foul language" is neurologically linked. Perhaps that's one reason so many people react in highly negative ways to cursing.

Another reason is that it's an indication of a weak vocabulary, and thus of a lack of proper education and socalization.

Woah, never thought of it that way.

What is offensive is other people saying that they know my intellect by the words that I speak. I have an I.Q. of 141, and a vocabulary that would dumbfound a Harvard Intellectual, but when it comes right down to it, I LIKE the word fuck! Not particularly sure why. Don't care either. Just like saying fuck. Its the most versatile word I know of for expressing emotion, and people always know what you mean! "Oh fuck!, fuck yeah!, motherfucker!, what the fuck?, you fucker!", and the ever popular,"son of a fucking bitch!"

Btw, you've proved your point admirably. If you're happy with it, great.

I hate "cussspeak", where every verb is replaced by f***, every adjective by f***ing, and every noun by s***. <Asterisks added by moderators.> I also hate euphemisms like "dang", "darn", "freak(ing)", and "crap". A moderate amount of swearing is acceptable as long as it's not overused.


(Sadly, my parents tend to disagree here.) :p

What kind of frelling nut-burger wants to censor a word in a non-existent language? :-p I hope the writers of BSG tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.Excuse me? In inventing the Czardaian language, I made up everything -- including swear words. The more conservative members of my population want to censor them on TV. So ha. :p

((You forget where you are...this is NationStates, home of the überlanguagegeeks!;)))

Ever hear of a condition called "Tourette's Disorder (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/)?" It's a neurological condition sometimes manifesting as "Coprolalia (http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/symptoms/coprolalia.html):" cursing, uttering obscenities, the explosive utterance of foul or "dirty" words or more elaborate sexual, aggressive or insulting statements (e.g., racial slurs). Literally, “dung talking”, because of a compulsion to do so. The speech is not always swearing words, is neither intentional nor purposeful, and is not necessarily directed towards anyone.

"Coprolalia is considered a complex vocal tic and is undoubtedly the most striking, socially distressing, and dramatic symptom of Tourette Syndrome. However, coprolalia is not, as many people once thought, prerequisite to the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome."

Tourette Syndrome often appears in very young children who have heard few, if any curse words.

The point here is that "foul language" is neurologically linked. Perhaps that's one reason so many people react in highly negative ways to cursing.

Another reason is that it's an indication of a weak vocabulary, and thus of a lack of proper education and socalization.


It was my understanding though that usually this tic interrupts normal conversation, or is random swear phrases being uttered. It did not seem to manifest as often as a constant stream of swearing. Perhaps I was incorrect.

That is not in the context of normal conversation, though. That's more an interjection...A school or work situation is neither the time nor the place, and indeed, in a job, it could have consequences on your employment -- from being passed over for a promotion to actually being let go -- if you used language inappropriately in front of clients.

Wow, that must have been a fun class to be in.

I remember the time I shouted "****" at someone when there was only two of us.

I turned around to find our teacher there.

All he did was smile and make a joke.

Why do people get offended by fuck, shit, bastard, shite, ****, twat et cetera?


Interesting side note: with the exception of the word 'bastard', which has only really gained a profane rather than a purely descriptive meaning in the last two hundred years, all the words listed are of anglo-saxon origin and are examples of Old English language rooted terms. It is no historical accident that they thus represent the language which was spoken by the lower classes in Norman britain, while the upper classes had fluency in French and Latin... the languages which give us the acceptable terms for fuck/shit/**** - copulate/excrement/vagina.

It all comes down to class...

Woah, never thought of it that way.
Don't feel bad; neither have many others. It's not all that common and not easy to diagnose, particularly in those families where cursing is the norm. ;)

It was my understanding though that usually this tic interrupts normal conversation, or is random swear phrases being uttered. It did not seem to manifest as often as a constant stream of swearing. Perhaps I was incorrect.
What little I know about it leads me to believe that it can be both, but there are lots of sources for information about the disorder online. Just do a search on Tourette's Disorder.

Wow, that must have been a fun class to be in.

I remember the time I shouted "****" at someone when there was only two of us.

I turned around to find our teacher there.

All he did was smile and make a joke.At the dress rehearsal for a play in which I supplied the musical part, someone forgot their lines and said "Shit!" in front of about 60 people. It was dreadfully embarassing. I thought of yelling, "Same to you!" but didn't, because there are times when it's better not to be an asshole. ;)

Anybody can use the word, 'fuck'. The challenge is to use it in such a manner as to be simultaneously biting and clever. A difficult proposition.

Same applies for most commonly-used "curse" words.

Anybody can use the word, 'fuck'. The challenge is to use it in such a manner as to be simultaneously biting and clever. A difficult proposition.Give me a few minutes...

Sorry, my parents are around, and when I swear they tend to dangle me upside down from a twelfth-story window over a pit of boiling lava, while simultaneously tickling the soles of my feet with feathers. (Well, actually they just make me clean the dishes...but it's the same thing, lol. Whoever thought there was a law stating that until the Supreme Ruler of the Multiverse is of age, his parents have to take care of him? Mod they're impossible.)