I'm pretty sure this topic comes up in quite a few conversations. The other day, I was having a discussion with my dad on how I don't understand how people view cursing (now I'm talking about the F-bombs and what not, the "real deal" curse words) to be such a bad thing. Now, this is just my opinion, and my dad's, so don't take it as me trying to say I found this in a written document hah!
Okay, so everyone should know that every person does not have a vocabulary list alike. Meaning, one person may have a wide vocabulary while another person only knows half of the first person's vocabulary. Because people may not know exactly what someone is talking about, they may not understand thoroughly what is going on. For example, and pardon my words this is only an example, "There is an immense amount of paper clippings, and gum wrappers occupying the passenger seat". Instead of saying that, one's choice of words could be "There is a shit load of crap in that seat" or what have you, again pardon the example. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is instead of coming up with "large" words some people might not understand, the most basic curse words will do just fine. I'm not saying it's always the way to go, sometimes a sentence needs words that describe what one is trying to say. But most of the time in everyday conversation, people don't normally use a lot of detail or would rather not tap into their Vocabulary Vault of Words because to some folks, it's a waste of time or they "use their brain" too much hah.
One big reason why I prefer to use curse words is because they get a point across more quickly than if there weren't any being used. For example, "What is that?" compared to "What the fuck is that?" again pardon me. Honestly, if someone said the second choice, one's reaction would increase. Using curse words invites other's reactions and feelings to increase. I'm not saying increase in a positive way, but increase nonetheless. It also makes situations more entertaining, or conversations more comical.
Another opinion of mine that I absolutely love...
I'm not trying to be rude or single out anyone, but this question goes out to everyone who is against the use of curse words. Why do you look down on or think less of those who use curse words when you use them yourself?
What? You say you don't curse? I'm sorry, but I would like to think otherwise. Again this is only an opinion. Everyone who says "dagnabit" or "son of a biscuit" or " gosh dangit" or ANYTHING remotely relating to something you would say if you stubbed your toe or forgot to buy something at the grocery store is cursing. Honestly though, if you think about it, it is cursing. Why is it considered cursing do you ask? Well, mostly everyone views cursing as a negative thing, that people use curse words when angry or any negative emotional state. So in that case, saying "dagnabit" or anything similar is a form of cursing because one is saying it while in some type of negative emotional state. I love this opinion because people who are against cursing say these types of phrases, and I find it absolutely entertaining when they do because they are themselves cursing.
So, I just feel that cursing should not be looked down upon because it's rude or anything. Curse words are just words, nothing more, nothing less. They are like every other word, just words. The only "harm" that can come from them is how one puts them into context, and that goes with every other single word imaginable.
I'm also not saying that everyone should start cursing up a storm everytime they talk or start cursing everywhere so when you step outside your house you walk into a cloud of curse words. I also feel that when people do nothing but curse it makes them look pretty unintelligent. But anyways, my point is cursing should not be viewed as bad or anything of the sort because they are only words.
I find the word "fuck" to be the most expressive word in the English language. Using it in a wide variety of manners leads to displaying just how well I can manipulate the fucking languge.
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Haha, yes I would most definitely have to agree that that word has many uses in the English language, not only English but I'm pretty sure other languages as well.
I'd say you're right. There are few words that rival the power of the word, but I feel like a lot of times it is abused and used in entirely unnecessary ways.
Fuck that! You cannot use this word enough! For fuck's sake, I mean, it's the third greatest word in the English Language.
1) Spatula
2) Splendiferous
3) Fuck
4) Merklins
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Hahaha, I found that very entertaining.
And the best part is, no one knows what "merklins" means because it's a lost word...lol
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Thank you! I had a brain fart yesterday with the word "abuse". I wanted to comment back someone and say that a lot of people abuse curse words.
I do agree that anything with an exclamation point would become a cuss word according to my dad's definitions. I'm often getting in to stop cussing bets, which I always inevitably fail. This is due to me feeling that my words need to be seasoned with cuss words because it does add emphasis on whatever I'm saying. The only problem is there then becomes no emphasis on things that are really important, which isn't that the point of cuss words? So I'm digging your thoughts on cussing.
-MFC
I like how you say you "season" your words, hah that's awesome. But yes, cursing does emphasize anything and everything you associate them with. That's the beauty of them!
This is a really interesting post, and it made me think of something that relates. Different vocabularies are appropriate--and often expected--at different times. For example, when you're with your friends oftentimes you're expected to drop the f-bomb because you're buddies, you're comfortable with each other, and it's just the way you talk. And when you're with your parents, maybe you're expected to keep your vocabulary clean, yet still informal. And when you're at a formal dinner party, intelligent, "bigger" words are considered the best choice. In linguistics, this is referred to as switching registers.
Yes, that is very true. One thing that sucks about that is some people talk a certain way with their friends and then talk the same way with let's say "authorities" and it makes them sound unintelligent or rude even, even if they aren't. I also do believe there are certain ways to word your thoughts and what not when talking to certain people, I just don't understand why we can't use curse words as well! hah
Just shows how unintelligent people can be. There are much more interesting words to use in place of the seemingly explicit. To remain in the context of the original post, it is true, they are just words. However, there are much more beautiful words to use in their place. Here are some for you to look up: concupiscence, satyriasis, priapic, paphian, erogenous, droit du seigneur, etc. The real reason people swear is 1) They have been desensitized to it (which removes any meaning from the words anyway). 2) They just want to get a reaction from others. 3) Their vocabulary is small and ignorance, as it is said, breeds tolerance. balls.
I agree on the unintelligent part. But I'll have to say that not everyone who uses curse words is unintelligent. I'll probably use this person as an example quite a bit, but my dad is actually quite intelligent, yet he curses all the time around me and my siblings. I don't mean "all the time" as in every other word but all the time as in whenever it seems fit or seems to make something entertaining. Your reasons I'll also have to agree with but I can't say they apply to all users of cursing. I'll tell you that my vocabulary is small, not because I choose for it to be but because I have a hard time retaining words unless I've heard them numerous times or if they catch my attention for some reason. Like spoonerism, I have never in my entire life come across someone who has said this word let alone KNOW the definition of it, yet I know and remember it as if it were burned into my brain. So, are you saying words describing sexual feelings and SEX are beautiful? And should be used in place of curse words? Lovely words I might say, but if you're going to tell someone that cursing is idiotic and that they should use "much more beautiful words" to take their place, the LAST subject I would mention to someone would be sex. Instead, why not use pulchritude, or abhorrent, or even asinine. Those are "beautiful" words, are they not?
You are assuming that a majority of the world knows what erogenous is. If that is the case then you vastly under assume the idiocy of most humans. I use curse words because they are recognizable everywhere. I could use big words, but then I have to explain what they mean which leads the person telling me, "just say blank next time."
The reason people swear is because they are either very emotional, can't think of another word, or just like saying it. It is much more complicated than I think either you or me can explain.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as if I knew or assumed the majority of mankind knew what erogenous is. I will have to say that I assume MOST of humans know how to use a dictionary, or how to use the internet and would jump onto dictionary.com and look it up. But then again, I might vastly under-assume how idiotic some folks may be. People need to know who they are talking to and how they talk and even how much they know. Once this is figured out, and it does not take that much time, it's psychology, one can ponder on what words to use in a sentence. If you want to have an "intelligent" conversation, consisting of big words, go talk to a person who is in their 40's who dresses nice and has a decent job. I'm not saying that every person who is intelligent is 40, it's just an example. And honestly, I really don't think the reason people curse is that difficult to fathom. Any reason one can come up with that sounds pretty much like a good reason a person would curse is probably a reason. We're not talking about politics here, thank god.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as if I knew or assumed the majority of mankind knew what erogenous is. I will have to say that I assume MOST of humans know how to use a dictionary, or how to use the internet and would jump onto dictionary.com and look it up. But then again, I might vastly under-assume how idiotic some folks may be."
I'd assume they would as well, but peoples idiocy never ceases to amaze me.
"People need to know who they are talking to and how they talk and even how much they know. Once this is figured out, and it does not take that much time, it's psychology, one can ponder on what words to use in a sentence. If you want to have an "intelligent" conversation, consisting of big words, go talk to a person who is in their 40's who dresses nice and has a decent job. I'm not saying that every person who is intelligent is 40, it's just an example. And honestly, I really don't think the reason people curse is that difficult to fathom. Any reason one can come up with that sounds pretty much like a good reason a person would curse is probably a reason. We're not talking about politics here, thank god."
It is a little deeper. Cuz hell, I cuss all the time, but that doesn't make me less intelligent. I like getting my point across in laymans terms. I know many 40 year olds who cuss and they are respectable. Even my mother's old boss who was in his mid 50's, cursed like a sailor and he was highly intelligent and one of the best lawyers in Texas.
"I'd assume they would as well, but peoples idiocy never ceases to amaze me. "
Hah, Roger That.
I cuss as well, and it's usually because I get pissed off or because I just plain want to. My point is that I don't understand why people have to be rude about other people cursing, just let them do it, don't think anything of it. I don't know, it's all about the person and their beliefs.
I agree! Swearing is completely unneccessary and vulgar. I hate hearing the f-bomb wherever I go. It's crude, and disgusting. Those that swear constantly are only trying to seem hard core, when really they're just idiots that are too lazy to build an actual vocabulary. I go through life just fine without swearing, and it's extremely unnecessary.
However, it is occasionaly appropriate to swear. If someone breaks your toe for example, then it might be acceptable to let out an s-bomb. When you swear sparingly, it adds even more emphasis to the swear words that you do use. When someone who never swears screams an f-bomb at someone, it gets a much bigger reaction than when someone who frequently swears drops an f-bomb. Everything is better in moderation. Besides, swearing only makes a person look ugly
You don't have to answer me, but out of curiousity what is your age? I'll say it again, not all people who curse are idiots. If you think cursing is rude and makes a person look ugly, then calling someone an idiot makes you ugly. After all, isn't idiot a curse word? According to one set of my grandparents it is, along with stupid, shut up, dumb, jerk, etc. Not to be rude, but how is it "occasionally appropriate" to swear? I don't know, but that sentence just doesn't sound correct, as if it is worded incorrectly. I will have to agree with the no swearing then BAM you swear, it does drive more emphasis on whatever the topic being "Bam-ed" is. And when myself and others say cursing emphasizing something, it's not like we are saying the sentence in monotone. Using a correct amount of emphasis on a curse word allows the listener to comprehend exactly how much the speaker is trying to let out. I do have to make a comment about the "making someone ugly" comment... If swearing makes someone look ugly, then drinking makes them look ugly, eating food most definitely makes someone look ugly, singing makes a person look ugly. It's not what a person says that makes them ugly, it is how they say it and in what context it is being used.
"fuck" makes everything more important than what it is aws well as less important at the same time yet no medium exist.
Well you know what they say, "fuck" is a universal word, or whatever they say. It can be used as a noun, as a verb, etc. I'd have to say the "medium" part would have to be using it in a casual manner haha.
And yes, I would ally myself with those people who look down on swearing. . .except I'm pretty sure I don't actually swear. You say that saying "gosh" or "dagnabit" is swearing, but I never even say things like that. I simply never get angry enough to feel like I have to say swearing or watered-down swearing. I find that when one chooses not to swear, one becomes less angry throughout the day, because one is forced to express anger through some medium other than swearing.
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Good for you! And I say good for you because 1. you don't curse & 2. you rarely become angered! Haha, I wish I was one to not become angry so often, I get so agitated and annoyed so easily sometimes it makes me feel bad. I'm the kind of person who if I see someone doing something wrong, I'll feel bad or sorry for them, if I witness or hear about someone doing something bad TO someone, I feel bad for them. I'm like everone's emotional bucket hah. Let me ask you this....
Do you ever think anything if and when you do become angry?
Lolz I find your example funny.
"There is an immense amount of paper clippings, and gum wrappers occupying the passenger seat".
Honestly, who speaks like that? Maybe the upper class do, but I don't hear that around my neighborhood. Instead, it would be something like, "There's trash all over the seat." It doesn't sound intelligent, but it does take the curse word out.
I don't support cursing, only for a simple reason, I wouldn't want to hear out of my kids. If it's something I don't want my kid to say or do, I don't want to do it. That's my philosophy.
I don't find fault in people saying curse word now and then. But why is it necessary to say it in every single sentence? I think what Arat said is true, "Those that swear constantly are only trying to seem hard core." I don't think those people are idiot. I just find them to trying too hard. If you are hard core, you shouldn't need to put a word in to prove it.
Haha, honestly it took me a while to come up with a ridiculous, overexaggerated sentence. I'm not saying people talk like that, but that's something someone would say, who would say it I have no idea lol. I understand how you wouldn't want your kids saying it, but sooner or later they are going to say it. I have a question... you say if it's something you don't want your kids to do you wont do it, but what if your kids do it? Does that mean you get to do it as well? Lol, just a humorous question. I do agree when you ask why one has to use a curse word in every sentence, it's pretty much annoying after a while, possibly funny depending on who is saying it, but sooner or later it will start getting on people's nerves. I appreciate, on people's behalf, how you don't think they are idiots.
"I have a question... you say if it's something you don't want your kids to do you wont do it, but what if your kids do it? Does that mean you get to do it as well?"
Lolz I wish. There's a difference between what I want the kids to do and what they actually do. Cursing is something I don't want my kids to do. But that doesn't mean my kids won't do it.
Heh, well hopefully for your sake they don't! How old are they, if you don't mind me asking?
Lolz, I don't have any kid yet.
Haha, okay I wasn't aware of your age, but anyways, for your sake I hope they don't lol.
Why are they necessary? Yes, granted they may be expressive but why? Is it possible to be less "offensive" to those around you?
Why are words necessary? To express one's feelings, thoughts, emotions. They are but words, they may not be "appropriate" words to you or others but they are to some. It is possible to be less offensive to folks around us, BUT it will never happen, as a whole I mean. People do offensive things everyday, it's inevitable.
They ARE just words but I find that it's better to limit the use of curse words. I had a friend who was very intelligent and very nice, but she used the word "fuck" very liberally. People avoided her and I was even embarrassed to introduce her to my friends for fear of the f-bomb popping out. Regardless of what kind of person you are, the perception is that the curser is low class and has little self-control.
Personally, I don't think it matters what kind of person you are, just how much you say it and the context in which you say it. I agree that it makes someone look like they have a control issue and the embarrassment.
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