What exactly is wrong with swearing?

[Slash]

I've have got quite the potty mouth sometimes...

 

[Famine]

Not quite. If you say "you suck", you're saying "you're a gay dude". Which then becomes "that sucks" meaning "that's gay". It then loses all meaning by the time it's a reference to a chick, at which point it should no longer be an insult.

Unless they suck at sucking?

I've never heard that. Unfortunately I don't feel safe googling it from work.

Purse your lips as if to kiss, but inhale through your gritted teeth. Then tut three times and say "Looks like your big end's gone.".

I never got blows even as a direct reference. There is no blowing involved (that I'm aware of - maybe I'm just missing out). Seems very strange. I'm sure it comes from something.

Probably derives from that classic text and its euphemisms - "playing the flute" in this case.

 

[PeterJB]

For a Christian I swear way too much. I'm usually doing it in front of my friends for comedic value, but it's a bad habit I really need to get myself out of, but sometimes there are no better ways of describing something than with a nice, blunt expletive.

 

[Zenith]

I believe Cornell did a study with MRI's and patients.

They found that normal language is processed in the cerebral cortex. This is the area of the brain that focuses more on "higher thinking."

When you curse, your brain isn't using the cerebral cortex, the area of activity changes to the limbic system. This is a far more primitive area where (at least to my understanding) instinct and deep memories are kept. It's a part of the brain that we share with uncivilized animals. If you were attacked by a wolf, this would be the part of your brain at work.

Cursing is a way we inject raw emotion into words. It exists to convey an emotion and incite a response from another person's limbic system (instinct).

IMO, it's a powerful form of language, not a bad one.

I'm no neuroscientist, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Epic B]

I have nothing against cursing. I curse maybe a little, but don't venture far past the D-word and "crap" (don't infract me if it gets past the censors), and the D-word has an alternate meaning anyway. Context matters. I just don't really feel like using such words. I know plenty, they just stay buried in the junk folder. It's hardly an issue in my eyes. It's just a thing many people do. Should we really care? Those of all ages might hear this kind of thing from their parents everyday, and even if they don't curse, they would still know of the words. Is there really a huge issue?

Also, I don't consider "God" profanity if used in vain, as I'm not religious. Neither is hell.

 

[Bobert power]

I don't believe in swear words. I whisper them though as my parents consider them bad words. When i say things like "oh god" i don't mean it religiously.

 

[mattythedog]

I have nothing against swearing, I just think there's a time and a place to use them. When I'm with friends, then it's fine. However I wouldn't dream of swearing in front of my parents, mainly because they don't swear in front of me. If they swore all the time, I would too.

 

[photonrider]

I believe Cornell did a study with MRI's and patients.

They found that normal language is processed in the cerebral cortex. This is the area of the brain that focuses more on "higher thinking."

When you curse, your brain isn't using the cerebral cortex, the area of activity changes to the limbic system.

......xsnipx

And that is why cursing . . and swearing . . are two different things. One should use the cerebral cortex when taking the stand.

The limbic system is okay when you mash your thumb.

 

[homeforsummer]

The limbic system is okay when you mash your thumb.

Quite. I don't think the Ned Flanders-types who don't swear even when they really need to are really that natural - there's a time and a place and doing yourself an injury is definitely that time and place!

Likewise, every second word being some form of swear word makes you sound like a dimwit because you're presumably using them instead of regular words. Even worse when someone appears to be using them to appear "big" in some way.

 

[Zenith]

And that is why cursing . . and swearing . . are two different things. One should use the cerebral cortex when taking the stand.

The limbic system is okay when you mash your thumb.

It should be noted that the limbic centers of the brain are active when reflexively cursing and when swearing in conversation.

We're talking and I say "These safety briefings are so monotonous. I'm so tired of this ****."

I'm using my cerebral cortex up until the word "****" where my brain activity (as viewed through an MRI) will switch to the limbic system.

 

[Zoom!Zoom!]

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

Do you know why it funnier? It makes you sound like a fool.

p.s Often the words someone uses reveals more about that person than they realize. Even when I catch myself start to use slang words I check my attitude.

 

[Keef]

Often when people are aggressively outspoken against swearing they reveal themselves as uptight assholes who need to take a chill pill. I bet you're against racist jokes, too.

 

[lemansfanatic]

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..

False: Most people who choose expletives do so not because they have weighed each word they want to use carefully before they speak them, but merely they do so because once curse words become part of their vocabulary they become cache for that presons brain. When someone who uses a lot if profanity in their everyday conversations wants to find the most powerful words to use in EVERY difficult situation whether it is appropriate or not (hardly ever appropriate unless just with the guys) they will more often choose the explatives because the other more appropriate words have been unused so long they fall out of that persons vernacular. Vocabulary is like math, if you dont use it you lose it.

 

[Keef]

So you're arguing the point that if you know curse words and your language then your vocabulary is actually smaller. Interesting thought. That's like saying 2+2=3.

 

[lemansfanatic]

Um no actually if you misunderstood my post I'll dumb it down for you because I understand math can just as hard for people as trying not to swear. Adding words doesnt always mean expanding vocabulary, it just means you use those words more frequently, canceling out others from your memory bank from lack of regular usage.
Edit: and I never claimed I dont swear, no soapbox preaching here

 

[Doth1s]

Can you dumb it down further? I just can't seem to wrap my 🤬 head around your concept.

 

[lemansfanatic]

Try an exercise, instead of saying someone is being a troll, say antagonist

Edit: Just thought of the perfect reason why you all know or will know that swearing is bad. If you dont have kids yet you wont understand, but I am sure there are some parents out there that have been in my shoes. You dont realize you sweet inocent little 1 year old angel is listening until the first time you hear her say "oh sh**". You know your heart just sank a little like mine did this week. You'll blame yourself and tell your wife "we need to watch what we say around the baby" yeah-thats how I know swearing isnt a good thing...

 

[Keef]

Try an exercise, instead of saying someone is being a troll, say antagonist

You're literally telling us that adding more to a whole makes the whole smaller.

We're not talking psychology here son, we're talking about the most basic of mathematical principles that when you have some of one thing and you add more to it, the thing gets bigger.

 

[Roger the Horse]

What's wrong with swearing is society and it's love of 'social norms', which are all a load of nonsense.

 

[homeforsummer]

Edit: Just thought of the perfect reason why you all know or will know that swearing is bad. If you dont have kids yet you wont understand, but I am sure there are some parents out there that have been in my shoes. You dont realize you sweet inocent little 1 year old angel is listening until the first time you hear her say "oh sh**". You know your heart just sank a little like mine did this week. You'll blame yourself and tell your wife "we need to watch what we say around the baby" yeah-thats how I know swearing isnt a good thing...

That's a lousy reason.

What that is is the perfect example of self-control, rather than a reason not to swear. Swearing is perfectly okay in the right context - that context is not around your children.

It doesn't make the words bad, it makes your use of them bad. Just like a gun sitting in a cabinet isn't harming anyone.

 

[Touring Mars]

People who swear infront of other people's children, however, really annoy me, as I think that is really inconsiderate. Yes, it is up to parents to ensure that their child is told that those words are not acceptable to repeat, but really young kids can't possibly be expected to understand, and will parrot whatever they hear for weeks.

 

[Roger the Horse]

People who swear infront of other people's children, however, really annoy me, as I think that is really inconsiderate. Yes, it is up to parents to ensure that their child is told that those words are not acceptable to repeat, but really young kids can't possibly be expected to understand, and will parrot whatever they hear for weeks.

I don't understand why people tell their children that swear words are bad to say. It's just enticing the kids to say them.
I've always either told kids what swear words mean when I accidentally expose them to new words that they don't know, or if it means something that they'll realise is dodgy anyway I tell them it means something random which isn't inappropriate. Whatever I do, I make sure I avoid creating a taboo.

 

[Jubby]

What's wrong with swearing is society and it's love of 'social norms', which are all a load of nonsense.

And the norms change. I'm sure some remember George Carlin's take on the dirty words. Of his original 7, 5 still remain as still "bad".
I know he didn't get all the bad words, but it's an excellent comedic commentary. It's funny how some of the remaining words can be used at some times on some television shows depending on when it airs. For those not familiar with Carlin's 7 dirty words (language warning):

 

[lemansfanatic]

Its not social "norms", its social values. The reason they constantly change is because people stop caring about the decline of certain values, like what is appropriate to air on tv at certain times of day, or what words should be used as social commentary for entertainment purposes like Mr. Carlin. Some people just have more respect for family values than others.

 

[Roger the Horse]

Its not social "norms", its social values. The reason they constantly change is because people stop caring about the decline of certain values, like what is appropriate to air on tv at certain times of day, or what words should be used as social commentary for entertainment purposes like Mr. Carlin. Some people just have more respect for family values than others.

But it's only considered a value by everyone because it's the social norm to do so. In the opposite respect it's only considered polite to say please or thank you because it is the norm. I personally don't get anything out of somebody saying thank you to me, so why should they thank me? Logically thanking someone would be rude because you're wasting their time.

 

[Jubby]

Its not social "norms", its social values. The reason they constantly change is because people stop caring about the decline of certain values, like what is appropriate to air on tv at certain times of day, or what words should be used as social commentary for entertainment purposes like Mr. Carlin. Some people just have more respect for family values than others.

The words existed and were used many years before any comedians, televisions, or radios uttered the words.

Have you ever spoke/written a vulgar/offensive word? I don't know of anyone that has not. By your explanation, you don't care or have respect for social or family values.

I think it's less of caring, more acceptance. They're words.

I think if anyone wants to look at family values, we need to discuss many items before vulgar language... but that's a different subject.

 

[lemansfanatic]

But it's only considered a value by everyone because it's the social norm to do so. In the opposite respect it's only considered polite to say please or thank you because it is the norm. I personally don't get anything out of somebody saying thank you to me, so why should they thank me? Logically thanking someone would be rude because you're wasting their time.

Thank you for your opinion. Those words something we chose to represent respect and appreciation for somebody's time and efforts. So not caring whether someone shows respect for your efforts means you generally dont care about others feelings, which is pretty egocentric.

The words existed and were used many years before any comedians, televisions, or radios uttered the words.

Have you ever spoke/written a vulgar/offensive word? I don't know of anyone that has not. By your explanation, you don't care or have respect for social or family values.

I think it's less of caring, more acceptance. They're words.

I think if anyone wants to look at family values, we need to discuss many items before vulgar language... but that's a different subject.

Like I said two posts above I am just as guilty for usung them as anyone else, I never pretended i didnf, I just have a feeling of guilt afterwards because I generally only use them when I loose control.

 

[Famine]

False: Most people who choose expletives do so not because they have weighed each word they want to use carefully before they speak them, but merely they do so because once curse words become part of their vocabulary they become cache for that presons brain. When someone who uses a lot if profanity in their everyday conversations wants to find the most powerful words to use in EVERY difficult situation whether it is appropriate or not (hardly ever appropriate unless just with the guys) they will more often choose the explatives because the other more appropriate words have been unused so long they fall out of that persons vernacular. Vocabulary is like math, if you dont use it you lose it.

You're arguing against the wrong thing.

The entirety of my post is true - and the quoted section specifically. What you're arguing is that people don't necessarily use the ability. If you'd read the rest of the post you'd have noticed me saying that too.

Knowing more words means knowing more words. That gives you an ability to use greater imagination in your language than knowing fewer words does. Using that ability is not necessarily something people do - and it's not limited to expletives either, as people will often overuse a new, "fancy" word they've just learned.

 

[Danoff]

Yea, stop mewling.

 

[Famine]

Yea, stop mewling.

There was a great example on South Park, oddly, where one of the emo kids kept using the phrase "per se" despite not suiting the context because he'd just learned it and thought it made him sound smart.