What exactly is wrong with swearing?

[Müle]

A simple question that I have no idea of the answer to.

Why are certain words considered bad? Why are some words ("f-word" and "c-word") worse than others ("d-word" and "h-e-double hockeysticks")?

I can understand why words that target specific people ("n-word") would be wrong to say, but what is the difference between saying "you're a piece of crap" and "you're a piece of 's-word.'" They both mean the exact same thing, but somehow one is considered worse than the other. Why?

 

[Omnis]

Do you show up for etiquette lessons in black metal facepaint?

 

[Techy]

Some people can tolerate it, some can't. It seems most people find profanity in combinations the most offensive.

 

[Doth1s]

Do you show up for etiquette lessons in black metal facepaint?

You don't?

 

[lemansfanatic]

Its not the actual words themselves that are bad, because words have no meaning until we assign one to them. Words by themself arent as important as the expression of emotion that goes with them. For example, If you make up a word for something that is offensive/hateful or anything considered taboo in society, that word becomes a reminder of it, therefore it would not be something that decent people should use in conversation. Its not the actual word, its the value or power that our culture has given to that word.

 

[Northstar]

They are versatile, which means they must be the product of witchcraft!!!

 

[Dragonwar233]

Well according to Cuss Control Academy (lol WTF)

Swearing Imposes a Personal Penalty
It gives a bad impression
It makes you unpleasant to be with
It endangers your relationships
It's a tool for whiners and complainers
It reduces respect people have for you
It shows you don't have control
It's a sign of a bad attitude
It discloses a lack of character
It's immature
It reflects ignorance
It sets a bad example

Swearing is Bad for Society
It contributes to the decline of civility
It represents the dumbing down of America
It offends more people than you think
It makes others uncomfortable
It is disrespectful of others
It turns discussions into arguments
It can be a sign of hostility
It can lead to violence

Swearing corrupts the English language
It's abrasive, lazy language
It doesn't communicate clearly
It neglects more meaningful words
It lacks imagination
It has lost its effectiveness

How could you not know this already!

No but really I think the people that are disrespectful and rude are the swearing vigilantes. They are way more offensive IMO

 

[Sttrobe]

well according to cuss control academy (lol wtf)

swearing imposes a personal penalty
it gives a bad impression
it makes you unpleasant to be with
it endangers your relationships
it's a tool for whiners and complainers
it reduces respect people have for you
it shows you don't have control
it's a sign of a bad attitude
it discloses a lack of character
it's immature
it reflects ignorance
it sets a bad example

swearing is bad for society
it contributes to the decline of civility
it represents the dumbing down of america
it offends more people than you think
it makes others uncomfortable
it is disrespectful of others
it turns discussions into arguments
it can be a sign of hostility
it can lead to violence

swearing corrupts the english language
it's abrasive, lazy language
it doesn't communicate clearly
it neglects more meaningful words
it lacks imagination
it has lost its effectiveness

how could you not know this already!

cuss control academy ftw!!

 

[TankAss95]

cuss control academy ftw!!

👍

 

[Famine]

It shows you don't have control
It reflects ignorance
It represents the dumbing down of America
It doesn't communicate clearly
It neglects more meaningful words
It lacks imagination

None of these things are true - the third one is a double-hit of wrongness because swearing is neither unique to the USA (America being a continental landmass, upon which four major languages are spoken commonly; five if you include islands on the same plate) nor the English language.

There are times and places where an expletive is not only appropriate but the only appropriate word for the situation. If you choose, specifically, to swear because it is appropriate to, there is no lack of control. No "more meaningful words" are neglected because there are no more meaningful words.

Expletives are the clearest form of communication that exist. Ever hinted to someone you need to end the conversation and leave or that they need to go away? Ever done it a second time to the same person? And a third? And a fourth? Ever needed to do it again after telling them to 🤬 off?

As for ignorance... My daughter is aware that "a c-word" exists, but she is unaware of what it is. At present she is ignorant of that word and when she becomes aware of it she will no longer be ignorant of it. Knowing expletives in addition to the rest of your language only expands your vocabulary - which in turn increases your ability to use your imagination in language.

Someone who can use appropriate expletives appropriately - someone who can alter their language and presentation according to their audience - has significant power in speech and in no way represents a dumbing down of anything.

 

[Grayfox]

Well thing is some words can be said in public and some are not.

I remember hearing that "sperm in my pants" song and the radio station blocked the word but they left 2 words that should have been blocked one of which is an offensive word for women.

 

[Sttrobe]

Cursing is a part of my vocabulary! What you talkin' bout.

 

[Pupik]

Someone who can use appropriate expletives appropriately - someone who can alter their language and presentation according to their audience - has significant power in speech and in no way represents a dumbing down of anything.

You're giving the average person way too much credit, in my opinion.

Despite being out of range for our forum, an occasionally well-placed word works wonders, even if to offend or surprise. The problem is when people reach for the same set of words repeatedly; it turns conversation into a battle of who can scrape the bottom of the barrel fastest while using the dullest tool.

These words then become crutches for more intelligent conversation and seek merely to attack people or problems fruitlessly rather than solve or inform them appropriately.

The fact that none of these words have become passe with time means that both their intensity and popularity haven't faded.


That said, there's been more than a few times I've completely gone off the deep end, but took a breath before clicking "Reply".

Interestly, I've discovered that every bit of profanity seems to deal with either sexual, bodily, or religious functions. Seems to be a bit of an ironclad tripartite test that never fails.

 

[Grayfox]

Interestly, I've discovered that every bit of profanity seems to deal with either sexual, bodily, or religious functions.

Not every word.

 

[Sttrobe]

You're giving the average person way too much credit, in my opinion.

Despite being out of range for our forum, an occasionally well-placed word works wonders, even if to offend or surprise. The problem is when people reach for the same set of words repeatedly; it turns conversation into a battle of who can scrape the bottom of the barrel fastest while using the dullest tool.

These words then become crutches for more intelligent conversation and seek merely to attack people or problems fruitlessly rather than solve or inform them appropriately.

The fact that none of these words have become passe with time means that both their intensity and popularity haven't faded.


That said, there's been more than a few times I've completely gone off the deep end, but took a breath before clicking "Reply".

Interestly, I've discovered that every bit of profanity seems to deal with either sexual, bodily, or religious functions. Seems to be a bit of an ironclad tripartite test that never fails.

Only time that happens to me is I think about for like 1-5 miniutes for everything I saw to a girl i'm only in love with.

But I do honestly think that cursing is just another way to start a fight/piss someone off.

 

[Slick Rick]

I misread this thread as ''What exactly is wrong with sweating''

 

[Grayfox]

I misread this thread as ''What exactly is wrong with sweating''

The problem with sweating is it smells a lot if you do not use anti perspirant.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm not beyond swearing, quite vividly sometimes, but since many words are associated with less than favourable descriptions, there's little reason to use them regularly and in polite conversation.

I've been known to use the F-word when stubbing my toe, but I'd not say it in front of a young, impressionable child, since the action that word represents isn't really child-appropriate either. Likewise everyone's favourite C-word.

The other aspect of it is that over-using it or using certain words inappropriately is a bit scum-baggy. Every time I see some chav type swearing in front of - or at - their kids I want to knock them on the head with something heavy, as their kids are going to grow up with the same bad manners and lack of respect that their parents have done and continue the chain of idiocy for generations to come.

The reason other words - for sake of discussion, "crap" and "dick" - can be used without too much problem is that they're words that have been attributed with - in this case, effluent and man sausages - rather than inexorably linked with them. I'm sure we're all aware that the word "crap" originates from an inventor linked with the flushing toilet, and "dick" was a name long before it was ever a word for a trouser snake.

 

[Famine]

You're giving the average person way too much credit, in my opinion.

It's by no means an ordinary ability. You can hold great sway over people if you can recognise how they communicate and trim your language according to it, even if you have to trim it down to grunts, whatevers and obscenity.

Certainly there are people for whom expletives do represent a catchall gap in their vocabulary - I've met people who even supplant metasyntactic variables with expletive adjectives - but it's not a blanket statement that swearing is in any way related to the vocabulary or intelligence of the swearer.


MiniFam the Elder knows many expletives - she's blissfully unaware of what the c-word is but acknowledges that there is one - and has free reign on speaking her mind using them if she wishes. She tends not to use anything so strong as "piss" and will scold those who do and she's bright enough to use different styles of language at school and at home. She's aware of the concept of catharsis and that if I trap a skinflap in a socketwrench, the ensuing stream is by way of ameliorating pain. There'll be a good communicator there when she's older - but according to Cuss Control Club, she's an example of the unintelligent and the dumbening* of America.

* Wait... that's not how you spell "dumbening".
Wait... "dumbening" isn't even a word!

 

[Submerged]

Additionally, to chime in onto this conversation, imagine the following scenario:

You meet a friend. He proceeds to tell you about his day, littering his sentences with numerous and often crass explicit language to describe it. While you are listening to the conversation, how does it make you feel?

I've had some friends who does talk like this occasionally and its impressive what the effects of it actually has on the reader. Due to the copious amount of swearing in it, it often made me only think in expressing in that language, which can be extremely limited and only for specific, very limited situation.

Now, if you had the same situation but the friend then recounted his story/day in a more expressive, normal language with very little swearing but with eloquent expressions, you pick it up and you start to engage in more of a dialogue and social interaction.

Its really weird how the content of the language affects people mood and association with that particular person.

 

[Keef]

only expands your vocabulary

I never cease to amaze myself how many words I can attach to "****" or "****" and still make complete sense while also being hilarious.

 

[Sttrobe]

i never cease to amaze myself how many words i can attach to "****" or "****" and still make complete sense while also being hilarious.

i know right?

 

[Exorcet]

I never swear unless I think it will help get my point across. I have no problem with the words, as their meaning only comes from how the speaker uses them. They're not offensive or vulgar by default. However, if someone utters a curse every other word, they're annoying. There are also some words I will never use or hate reading because I think they sound stupid.

 

[Sttrobe]

+100000000000 ^

 

[MSTER232]

A simple question that I have no idea of the answer to.

Why are certain words considered bad? Why are some words ("f-word" and "c-word") worse than others ("d-word" and "h-e-double hockeysticks")?

I can understand why words that target specific people ("n-word") would be wrong to say, but what is the difference between saying "you're a piece of crap" and "you're a piece of 's-word.'" They both mean the exact same thing, but somehow one is considered worse than the other. Why?

Good point but I think swearing is wrong because youngsters will find that it makes them look "cool", and then they abuse it and it causes them to become violent. Just my 2 pence on this.

 

[Sttrobe]

Well that's how I turned out, lol jokes.

 

[Keef]

I swear whenever it will make my statement funnier which is pretty much most of the time I'm not on GTP.

 

[Sttrobe]

Yeah same here.

 

[Vegard]

Mr.Pinker breaks it down:

WARNING LANGUAGE

 

[Pagey279]

Within reason I see no problem with it. Obviously you can't walk into a primary school swearing and cursing, and using it to abuse someone is wrong.
But if surrounded by adults, and you make sure you don't cause offence using it in everyday conversation isn't a problem in my eyes.
But that is probably due to my upbringing, which was pretty relaxed.