Thread: Swearing?

I feel that there are no "bad words". the only reason I don't use these words more often is because I have a tendency to offend people without them, I can only imagine if I used em constantly. Its really too bad that everyone has to limit their use of the English language because a few people didn't like the sound of a word.

I guess I understand what you are saying. But it is just like smoking or drinking. It gets annoying, and does offend people. They do limit smoking and drinking in certain areas by law over here in the US. So there's really no reason not to do the same for swearing. I use cuss words sometimes.. but not overly. I hate potty mouths.

Originally Posted by PsiKnot

@Arrianna, I agree that politeness and appropriatness of topic for conversation has a huge part in what is socially acceptable, but I think that there is a whole other level at this point. I mean take this site for example, why is it ok to type crap but not ok to type sh*t? do you see my point. I'm not talking about topics Im talking words. Where is the line drawn and why there? Is it because of a social/economical divide a hundred years ago? I don't know.

Often the difference is actually semantics and origins of words rather then the social economic factors you suspect as in your example. The word crap comes from [Middle English crappe, chaff, from Old French crappe, from Medieval Latin crappa, perhaps of Germanic origin.] as something worthless to be discarded or caste off, garbage. It started being used to mean "to defecate" in the 1800's but had not lost it's original meaning and as such is not automatically offensive. The origins of the other however [Middle English shitten, probably from Old English -sciten (as in besciten, covered with excrement), past participle of *scītan, to defecate; see skei- in Indo-European roots.] has always meant excrement.

Many children are raised not to curse, but are pressured into it by peers or social expectations, or are exposed to it at an early age and find nothing wrong with it. I remember (when I was eleven) I dropped my pencil box and said, "Crud." My ex-best friend rolled her eyes, "Oh, come on. Just say 'crap.'" And I did. Then, I watched "Back to the Future I;" there are over 80 curse words in the first hour. So I began saying more words. It's merely a bad habit; usually it indicates lower intelligence and the inability to come up with something wittier.

Ok... I have to admit... I found this thread to be somewhat intimidating. Theres so many directions It could run.

my personal POV is that the Ideals of "swear words" or "bad languege" has become like an old fashioned, pointless, trendy, moral code. The reason I say this, is that swearing is mostly frowned apon in youth... BUT its commonly heard and fairly acceptable among adults.

My One and a half year old son... Has become quite fond of saying "Oh Sh*t!"
So here I am telling him "No No! Bad Word!" Then...As I try to get the strainer out of a tall cabinet... I knock over several items of tupperware all over the floor... "Oh Sh*t!" I exclaimed.... >_>

It's just a way of letting out your frustration and to some it's a bad habit.
When I was very young, 4-6 years, I used to swear VERY MUCH. And which words a kid that young could say? You don't want to know...

i swear. most people do. just dont do it around little kids. they should find out about swearing from their friends or family, not me, a stranger.

Originally Posted by Shu

i swear. most people do. just dont do it around little kids. they should find out about swearing from their friends or family, not me, a stranger.

I was blessed enough to learn them from my father , I won't be following his example anytime soon . Of course I swear once in awhile, but never will I ever do it in front of my children if I ever have any, but should it slip, then 10 lashes should help me learn my lesson .