"Swear"/"curse" words

[Buckeye513]

Not really, until we start hearing folks scream "Measles" when they jam their thumb. There's a reason we say them.

Why would I scream out the name of a respiratory infection when I jam my thumb?

When I jam my thumb, I typically say "fuck". In that context, it expresses anger. "What the fuck" expresses bemusement. "That test was fuckin' hard" is an exaggeration. "So I was at the fuckin' mall today" is just an interjection.

If I called someone a motherfucker, I'd expect them to get offended. That would be the point. But I honestly don't understand how people can get genuinely offended just by the use of a certain set of words regardless of context.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Then why don't people scream 'don't like you' when they're angry? Half the time 'man', 'bitch' or something else gets tacked on the end, so there goes the brevity argument. If a random fan walked up to me as a coach and screamed that, I'd probably chuckle at their strangely reserved disapproval.

Sorry, but this is coming across about like arguing that flipping someone off and giving them a thumbs down holds the same meaning. They're in the same category of disapproval, but one carries with it a lot more power.

I'm not saying they don't carry more weight. They do...but I've actually seen people be far more upset by "Please don't talk to me anymore because I don't like you and never will", than a simple "Why don't you fuck off" could ever accomplish.

But they are still just words. A little stronger? Definitley. But still words.

 

[jwinslow]

If I called someone a motherfucker, I'd expect them to get offended.

Right, it's intended to get under skin, bumbuck.

"What the fuck" expresses bemusement. "That test was fuckin' hard" is an exaggeration. "So I was at the fuckin' mall today" is just an interjection.

And kids use 'like' in every other sentence. Doesn't change the word's meaning, imo. Just its usage.

But I honestly don't understand how people can get genuinely offended just by the use of a certain set of words regardless of context.

The casual use of a word doesn't change it's offensive origin. People have used the N-word to death, some casually with similar unoffensive intentions, but it's never going to lose it's origin.

I tried to come up with some ending about being offensive instead of offending, but it's too late for that.

 

[Buckeye513]

And kids use 'like' in every other sentence. Doesn't change the word's meaning, imo. Just its usage.

Usually when kids say 'like' every other word, it has no meaning. It's a filler.

The casual use of a word doesn't change it's offensive origin. People have used the N-word to death, some casually with similar unoffensive intentions, but it's never going to lose it's origin.

The "n-word" has one definitive meaning and offensive origin. 'Fuck' does not.

I still haven't gotten an answer to the question. Are you saying that people are offended by them because they're supposed to be?

 

[3074326]

JWins, I generally don't have any disagreement with what you're saying. I just don't understand why these certain words are considered so bad to the point where they need to be censored, or frowned upon. I don't think I'd be a better person if I stopped cursing. I just think I'd be showing less emotion.

I'll give you a somewhat extreme example.

Let's say that I'm watching the Detroit Red Wings beat up on the Blue Jackets. Let's say that Hudler scores the first goal of the game and I say "That pisses me the fuck off."

Compare it to "Wow, that is very upsetting."

Big difference. Stronger meaning, like you said, but why is it bad? Just words of emotion.

I see racist/prejudiced words in a different way.

 

[Best Buckeye]

Do you Guys swear in front of your mothers ? Your sisters? If I did I would get my face smacked or at least told off. Ladies don't appreciate the swearing or the sexual connotation implied.
I know women who stoped posting in here because of it.
Yes I know it gives a special emphasis at times but that doesn't make it necessary.
There are plenty of words available in the english language that can be just as descriptive, all you have to do is use them.

I don't care for the use of swear words myself but in here it gets passed over, so I live with that but I do think less of people who swear profusely. But that's just me.

I look at it this way, if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education. In my profession I control my dept. and crew, I direct them, I reprimand them and I fire them all without the use of swear words.
I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Best, my mother and I used to have that same conversation all the time. She, like you, was of the position that if you can't express yourself without swearing, then you need more education. My position, conversely was these words have a particular meaning in contexts and convey something different than some other words.

My mother and I agreed that the point of language was to convey meaning. "Fuck you" means something particular... it's more exacting than "I am troubled by your actions" Because "fuck you" goes a step further... it says not only am I troubled by your actions, but I'm also dismissing you with a certain degree of contempt as well.

There is no harm, in my view, of using a particular word to convey a particular thought, and in that regard I don't know why anyone are offended by these words. Frankly, I think it's just more of the pussification of America.

All this said, you also have to "pick your spots" It would not be appropriate for me to say "Well fuck that" in court. I wouldn't talk like a 18 year old when addressing my boss... But, at the same time, I don't think I could convey my meaning properly to an 18 year old if I spoke to him or her as if I was in Court, or with my boss. In other words, I adapt my language to my crowd... or I try to pay some degree of attention to it anyway... for the lone purpose of using language at all... conveying the meaning I intend to convey.

Frankly, I think it's a thin skin that gets "offended" by words. I cannot imagine someone saying a word that would cause in me a reaction of taking offense. The whole idea seems to me absurd. I'm offended by people killing each other... I'm offended by crimes against children... in the face of that, I could give a fuck what words come out of your mouth.. or fingers....

You're either expressing yourself correctly, or you are not. If one says "Fuck" every other word of a sentence, I quickly realize it's his "uh" Conversely, when my Mom said Fuck (which I only heard her use once) I knew she was dead fucking serious.

 

[mooktarr]

I look at it this way, if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education. In my profession I control my dept. and crew, I direct them, I reprimand them and I fire them all without the use of swear words.
I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

GPA !

I agree with Best, but I'll add that I am not offended by swearing but if someone needs to swear to get a point across then I question their speaking capabilities.
PS I think that's what he meant too.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Do you Guys swear in front of your mothers ? Your sisters? If I did I would get my face smacked or at least told off. Ladies don't appreciate the swearing or the sexual connotation implied.

Fuck yeah I do. There is no sexual connotation implied unless I'm talking about sex. That's ridiculous to assume that becuase I use the word fuck that I'm talking about fornication. I'd say the ladies that think so need more education.

I know women who stoped posting in here because of it.

Even more ridiculous considering there is a language filter.

Yes I know it gives a special emphasis at times but that doesn't make it necessary.

Well, that's the beauty of free speech in this country, and most especially on this board. It's a big reason why I love BP. I can say whatever the fuck I want.

I look at it this way, if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education. In my profession I control my dept. and crew, I direct them, I reprimand them and I fire them all without the use of swear words.
I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

I can articulate just fine without swear words. I don't want to, and that's my choice.

 

[Gatorubet]

The "n-word" has one definitive meaning and offensive origin. 'Fuck' does not.

Not in my experience.

 

[3074326]

I do think less of people who swear profusely

We're not talking racism here. You're missing out on some great people if you truly feel this way.

if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education

Honestly, this is one of the most ignorant things I've ever read. I'm going to school for journalism with a minor in political science. Just because I swear, I need more education? Come on. Education will not be the reason I swear after I graduate.. it'll be because they're just words.

I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

Maybe for the people who swear because they think it's cool - little kids. But the people posting in here have made it pretty clear that they think they're only words. My parents agree, we've had this conversation. And they have better than average jobs and need no further education. Profanity isn't used only by the poor and uneducated.

 

[martinss01]

I don't buy that, and I don't think you do either.

Why do OSU fans curse at Wolverine players if the words have no special meaning?

the question isn't what the word means to me, but rather what it means to the person im speaking to.

would it offend you if i showed you the soles of my shoes?
would it offend you if i gave you the peace sign?
would it offend you if i tried to shake hands with my left hand?

Then why don't people scream 'don't like you' when they're angry? Half the time 'man', 'bitch' or something else gets tacked on the end, so there goes the brevity argument.

when someone cuts you off in traffic do you honk your horn or tap out morse code to properly communicate your disapproval?

but hey, since we're on the subject. lets look at compliments. when someone lets you out first in traffic what do you do? do you raise your hand in a gesture of thanks or do you stop and explain to them exactly how grateful you are for their courteous act?

Sorry, but this is coming across about like arguing that flipping someone off and giving them a thumbs down holds the same meaning. They're in the same category of disapproval, but one carries with it a lot more power.

some info you might find interesting:

Thumbs up - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Thumbs up" traditionally translates as the foulest of gesticular insults in some Middle Eastern countries ? the most straightforward interpretation is 'Up yours, pal!'[citation needed] The sign has a similarly pejorative meaning in parts of West Africa, South America, Iran, Iraq, and Sardinia, according to Roger E. Axtell's book Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World."[5]
In Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq and Thailand it is traditionally an obscene gesture, equivalent to the use of the middle finger in the Western world.

further, in the roman arena "thumbs up" was a vote for a defeated gladiator to be killed. whereas the thumbs down simply meant to put away your sword or weapon as the defeated man was worthy of living.

once again, a word or gesture only has as much meaning or power as "you" give it.

Do you Guys swear in front of your mothers ?

i have, but as a general rule no.

Your sisters?

yes

If I did I would get my face smacked or at least told off.

members of your family would strike you based upon your word usage?

I look at it this way, if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education. In my profession I control my dept. and crew, I direct them, I reprimand them and I fire them all without the use of swear words.

I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

i can't speak for anyone else, but i curse as often in real life if not moreso than i do here. second, in 18 years of customer service i have never cursed in front of a customer. in fact, i have never said anything even remotely non pc. the same is true not only for the parents of every girl i have dated but also every member of their family including those of a similar age.

why do i change the way i express myself based upon my audience? because you should. anytime money is changing hands the rules on personal interaction change immediately. in addition to this some people deserve a level of respect based on their title that for me demands a different set of rules for interacting.

while i don't think i could ever truly view someone i have never actually met in real life a friend. i think of the people on this board to be about as close as im likely to come on a message board. with that said, i let my "friends" see me for who i truly am.

so whats the difference? the deciding factor is whether or not i "want" something. whether or not i expect a payoff of some form for what im doing. be it monetary or simply a certain level of approval that tends to make certain things in life a little easier to accomplish to meet my needs and wants.

i want nothing from you other than the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. i can promise you i will never judge you based on anything you think, feel or say which includes you having the right to judge me for any reason you deem relevant.

 

[Mike80]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhfydhSXBg]YouTube - South Park fuck scene, the f word[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26UA578yQ5g]YouTube - the word fuck[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_Ry_Q-Y0Y]YouTube - scarface (fuck)[/ame]

 

[Mike80]

Do you Guys swear in front of your mothers ? Your sisters? If I did I would get my face smacked or at least told off. Ladies don't appreciate the swearing or the sexual connotation implied.
I know women who stoped posting in here because of it.
Yes I know it gives a special emphasis at times but that doesn't make it necessary.
There are plenty of words available in the english language that can be just as descriptive, all you have to do is use them.

Maybe it was because my mom was in the military, but she taught ME how to swear

I don't care for the use of swear words myself but in here it gets passed over, so I live with that but I do think less of people who swear profusely. But that's just me.

I look at it this way, if you can't articulate properly without them then you need more education. In my profession I control my dept. and crew, I direct them, I reprimand them and I fire them all without the use of swear words.
I would dare say that most of you swear more in here than you do in real life just because no one is staring you in the face.

It's all about usage. Sometimes it just comes out, sometimes people overuse it for effect which then lessens the effect. I certainly don't use it in meetings and stuff like that.

However, during an OSU football game or sometimes during Red Wings or Jackets game, I'll let an F bomb fly now and again.

 

[AKAK]

You're either expressing yourself correctly, or you are not. If one says "Fuck" every other word of a sentence, I quickly realize it's his "uh".

Stop talking about me.