Do you watch what you say in public?

I'm asking because we went to dinner this evening. We went to Outback. The people at the table next to us were cursing a lot. Every few words was ____ this ____ that, etc..... I guess they didn't care what people thought of what they were saying. I would have preferred not to hear it. That's just my opinion. I understand people swear, but it seemed excessive. What if small children were to over hear that kind of language?

Btw, the food was really good. :)

I admit I sometimes swear in public, like when I am around my friends, but I only do that around them. In public settings I try to watch my mouth, and do the same when I meet new people. That said every word out of my mouth isnt f*ck or sh*t. Like most people if I get really mad about something you will hear cuss words out of my mouth.

I only tend to use that kind of language when I'm at home alone and usually only in a moment of anger. I do try to respect other people around me when I'm out in public. (I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner Jenny!)

Do you watch what you say in public?

I'm asking because we went to dinner this evening. We went to Outback. The people at the table next to us were cursing a lot. Every few words was ____ this ____ that, etc..... I guess they didn't care what people thought of what they were saying. I would have preferred not to hear it. That's just my opinion. I understand

If I had been in that situation I would've spoken with the Manager about it. A restaurant with a family-style atmosphere like Outback is no place for that type of language. I suggest you call their home office tomorrow and tell them about your experience. Chances are they'll send you something to compensate for it such as a gift card or certificate.

I sometimes do swear in public. It's usually when I'm out with friends. I do swear sometimes if I forget something at the store or drop something.

No I do not Swear in Publice

No I never swear in public. I don't really swear that much anyway. I was at a restaurant a few months ago and this person at the other table was cussing up a storm. Every other word out of his mouth was the F word...so I know how it feels. Some people just have no manners.

I don't swear, period, unless I'm extremely angry - and usually not in public. I don't swear not only because of my faith, but because I think it's bad manners. I don't like to hear others swear in public, either, for those very same reasons.

Depends on where I am and the company I'm with. I tend to not make a spectacle of myself in public.

I have had conversations in restaurants and what not that were "dirty" if you will; very little cursing but very adult topics.

I hope nobody heard any of those.. heh.

Words are words. People really need to get over it and start thinking about what's really important. Saying "crap" instead of "****" is not, especially when they mean the exact same thing.

I admit, I have sworn more than I should at home but rarely if ever do I do it in public. I agree, it's horrible to hear someone at work, on the bus or at a restaurant swearing up a storm. Years ago, my husband and I were at Applebees and there was a group of rowdy kids next to us. On the other side of them was a Spanish woman and her young daughter. The kids said something in Spanish and the woman got so ticked off that she confronted them. They shrugged it off, saying that no one could understand tehm anyway, but she said "It doesn't matter. My daughter knows what that means and it's offensive." I think they just laughed it off, but they were a little more quiet.

I try not to swear in public, but I have done it more than a few times. I tend to swear a lot more often when at home. If I get REALLY angry however, I WILL curse up a storm.

I try never to swear, especially when I'm in public. It is very irritating to hear someone swear and use profanity excessively, in particular when dining out. :eek:

I usually never swear, unless I am really angry. Even then, I usually catch myself and am sorry I did it. Jenny, I know exactly what you mean about people who are near you often lacking manners and swearing up a storm. It happened in the cafeteria at my work the other day. I was enjoying my lunch when the lady at the next table was swearing up a storm, even saying the Lord's name in vain. THAT really irks me, more than the swear words themselves. :mad:

BTW - I love the Outback. Best steaks there. :D

I do not swear at all...maybe on a rare occasion if I am very angry or upset, but it would be very unusual for me to do that. I would NEVER swear in public. I get so angry when I am out with my kids and people are cussing about every little thing. I do not want them hearing all of that!

Occasionally. But not to the extent of the people you sat next to yesterday.

I would have told the manager about them. He could have at least moved you.

Words are words. People really need to get over it and start thinking about what's really important. Saying "crap" instead of "****" is not, especially when they mean the exact same thing.

That's how I feel, too. IMO, f*&k is the best word ever.

That's how I feel, too. IMO, f*&k is the best word ever.


You and my brother would get along great, He says that word every chance he gets. :lol:

That's how I feel, too. IMO, f*&k is the best word ever.
It's like all-purpose flour. It can be used in almost any situation.

It is vulgar, crude and rude.
I liked society a lot better when it wasn't so common.

I have been around people who swear with every other sentence and they sound like complete idiots. They probably lack the vocabulary to use proper words.

That is one reason I like classic TV shows like I Love Lucy, Bewitched, Get Smart, etc. I can watch those shows with other family members knowing that I won't hear any of those stupid words (swearing).

I swear occasionally, when I'm very angry or when I'm joking. Never ever in public. People who swear a lot, especially in public, sound like losers.

You and my brother would get along great, He says that word every chance he gets. :lol:

Maybe we can date. Wouldn't you love to tape record that??? We'd sound like a trucker and a drunk sailor shootin' the s*&t.

I don't swear a lot or anything...

But yesterday was the day to really swear at the Chargers.. :lol:

Oh and yes, I'm sure there were many other Charger fans and fans of other teams who were swearing too. :lol:

An observation:

It's okay to say "ass" when referring to a donkey.
It's not okay to say "ass" when referring to someone's butt.
But it's okay to say "butt."

How does that make any sense?

No, I try very hard not to swear at all in public. It's rude and insensitive and regardless of the fact that just about everyone in the universe does it nowadays, I like to think we haven't all descended so far that it is accepted. We aren't quite barbarians yet, though we are obviously all headed that way.

I've heard that the devil is the person who makes you lower your standards, just a little, again and again. You never really notice it until it's gone on for a while, like a frog in boiling water. Does that seem overly conservative? Maybe. But we are a society, and as such , we need to act like the other members of the society around us have meaning and are respected. Particularly kids. It's all fine and good to talk about an open society but are we really prepared for the ultimate consequences of that? I doubt it.

I do swear at work, usually if I'm frustrated. But then again, the swearing at my work is off the scale, and I'm on the very low end of offenders, I'd say, lol.

I admit (and I am not proud of this) have a terrible, "potty mouth". But, I rarely swear in public, especially, in front of children.

No........... I do occasionally say Sh........ but I do catch myself then I tell the person who I'm speaking to Sorry....

I don't swear in public, maybe at home when the cats do something they shouldn't. I'll say crap in public, that's about the extent.

An observation:

It's okay to say "ass" when referring to a donkey.
It's not okay to say "ass" when referring to someone's butt.
But it's okay to say "butt."

How does that make any sense?
Because swear words are only swear words because of the meaning people put in them. Otherwise they're just words. I can understand being offended only because of that...but in the end, they're harmless. We have a lot of other things in society to worry about before we worry about a few damn (oops) words.

My answer? If it's an open area, not a packed or closed in area like a restaurant, yeah I swear. I'm a 20 year old college student. Not many of us DON'T. If you're walking down the hall talking to your friends, you're not going to be like "oh gosh, I forget my darn book" you're going to be like "****, I forgot my God damn book!" It's just something you're used to since as far back as middle school, sometimes elementary.

In a restaurant, I also might swear but not at the top of my lungs so other people can hear. I understand it offends some people so I'm not about to be a jerk about it. Simply put, if I'm within hearing distance and it's around people I don't know, I'll avoid it. If not, bombs away. That's just how people my age talk. We're not bad people or losers for it, either. We're just young idiots and we have fun being young idiots. If I were a parent of someone my age, I'd much rather my kid swear than going around doing drugs and getting smashed at parties.

Because swear words are only swear words because of the meaning people put in them. Otherwise they're just words. I can understand being offended only because of that...but in the end, they're harmless. We have a lot of other things in society to worry about before we worry about a few damn (oops) words.

My answer? If it's an open area, not a packed or closed in area like a restaurant, yeah I swear. I'm a 20 year old college student. Not many of us DON'T. If you're walking down the hall talking to your friends, you're not going to be like "oh gosh, I forget my darn book" you're going to be like "****, I forgot my God damn book!" It's just something you're used to since as far back as middle school, sometimes elementary.

In a restaurant, I also might swear but not at the top of my lungs so other people can hear. I understand it offends some people so I'm not about to be a jerk about it. Simply put, if I'm within hearing distance and it's around people I don't know, I'll avoid it. If not, bombs away. That's just how people my age talk. We're not bad people or losers for it, either. We're just young idiots and we have fun being young idiots. If I were a parent of someone my age, I'd much rather my kid swear than going around doing drugs and getting smashed at parties.
And to this, I say ****in' right!

I hate the "it means you have a poor vocabulary" complaint. Psh. My vocabulary is expansive. It just happens to include words that society has deemed "foul" even though most people don't even know why they're "foul" words. If people would just educate themselves, they would see how absurd the whole thing is.

But I agree about censoring yourself so as not to cause a ruckus. If I feel like defending my words for the millionth time, I'll not think about it, but if I'd just rather avoid the argument, I watch what I say.

I did a lot when I was much younger but very little now. Overuse of the f and s words etc. is overkill and makes others think (rightly or not) that you have limited intelligence and/or self-control. A truly clever person can get their point across very nicely without using such words. Also overuse of profane words makes them lose their impact.

I hate the "it means you have a poor vocabulary" complaint. Psh. My vocabulary is expansive. It just happens to include words that society has deemed "foul".

So are you saying you would be ok with words like N_____, etc.? You say words are harmless. Words like the n word, c word, etc. are offensive. If you call someone a b____ for example, you're intention is to hurt them. Those are just a few examples. If your vocabulary is so expansive as you put it, why limit yourself to a few choice words? There are movies for example where the actors/actresses say the f word after every other word. To me, that doesn't sound intelligent at all.

So are you saying you would be ok with words like N_____, etc.? You say words are harmless. Words like the n word, c word, etc. are offensive. If you call someone a b____ for example, you're intention is to hurt them. Those are just a few examples. If your vocabulary is so expansive as you put it, why limit yourself to a few choice words? There are movies for example where the actors/actresses say the f word after every other word. To me, that doesn't sound intelligent at all.
Words ARE harmless, the meanings and connotations behind them are what can be hurtful.

As far as movies are concerned, sometimes the f word every other word is necessary. What was the movie about? If it was about a broken family and their harrowing journey to come together after the death of their mother...yeah maybe the f word every other word isn't necessary. But if it's a movie about a young man overcoming his addiction to heroine, he's going to come across a few dealers and to be realistic, they aren't going to be saying "Gosh darn, you don't have my money? Shucks, man." Who says a character in a movie is meant to be intelligent?

So are you saying you would be ok with words like N_____, etc.? You say words are harmless. Words like the n word, c word, etc. are offensive. If you call someone a b____ for example, you're intention is to hurt them. Those are just a few examples. If your vocabulary is so expansive as you put it, why limit yourself to a few choice words? There are movies for example where the actors/actresses say the f word after every other word. To me, that doesn't sound intelligent at all.
Well, you didn't include the part of that sentence that really makes a difference, that some words have been deemed "foul" for no good reason.

I should preface by saying that, in general, I'm a person who is rarely offended by words. I feel like I should feel offended by the N word sometimes, but really, I'm just not. It's the intention behind the word, not the word itself, that angers me, and I realized that not too long ago.

If "bitch" is being used disparagingly (because it's not always), then I would guess that the intention there is to hurt the person, so I don't see how it's inappropriate in that situation. Sure there are other words that could be used instead, but why should a word that just as well illustrates your feeling be off limits?

I don't limit myself to a few choice words, though. I just use the words that come to me. Sometimes those words are words that people get up in arms over. When I'm POd about something, I tend to use more "bad words," but that's only because so many of them are definitionally appropriate for those types of situations.

What would be the difference between saying "There is dog **** on my shoe" and "There is dog feces on my shoe?" There is no difference. Both words are referring to the exact same thing, except one word is "bad" and the other is acceptable.

Seriously, no one questions this type of thing? Ever? At all? Just accepts it?

Words ARE harmless, the meanings and connotations behind them are what can be hurtful.

As far as movies are concerned, sometimes the f word every other word is necessary. What was the movie about? If it was about a broken family and their harrowing journey to come together after the death of their mother...yeah maybe the f word every other word isn't necessary. But if it's a movie about a young man overcoming his addiction to heroine, he's going to come across a few dealers and to be realistic, they aren't going to be saying "Gosh darn, you don't have my money? Shucks, man." Who says a character in a movie is meant to be intelligent?
LOL "Gosh darn" and "shucks" can be called unintelligent too.

In my opinion there are no such thing as "bad words", only negative context and bad intentions...

"I hate you, you're the scum of the earth, I wish aids on you and your family"

"my effing back hurts, sheet this effing sucks"

Which is worse? I'll let you be the judge.

Yes, I do swear in public sometimes. Also, it does not bother me if other people do it too. I guess I'm used to it.

In my opinion there are no such thing as "bad words", only negative context and bad intentions...

"I hate you, you're the scum of the earth, I wish aids on you and your family"

"my effing back hurts, sheet this effing sucks"

Which is worse? I'll let you be the judge.

My aching back hurts. This really stinks.

My f*** ng back is killing me. Sh*t, this really sucks.

What sounds better? I think it just comes down to the fact that some people don't mind profanity while others just don't like it. I'm glad that it's still not socially acceptable. I wouldn't even say the word "sucks" in front of an elder, my mother-in-law, a teacher, a cop or anyone in authority.

My aching back hurts. This really stinks.

My f*** ng back is killing me. Sh*t, this really sucks.

What sounds better? I think it just comes down to the fact that some people don't mind profanity while others just don't like it. I'm glad that it's still not socially acceptable. I wouldn't even the word "sucks" in front of an elder, my mother-in-law, a teacher, a cop or anyone in authority.
You completely missed the point of Ian's post.

I remember when I was in high school, a classmate of mine was writing something on a newspaper but I couldn't tell what it was as he was off to the side but close to me.

I asked him, what are you doing?

I'm writing good s.hit

I asked him what he meant.

Like I said, I'm writing good s.hit.

Then after a few minutes class started.

To this day I have no idea what the hell he meant!! :lol:

You completely missed the point of Ian's post.
No I didn't. He sees profanity from a different perspective than I do. I don't buy into that "words are harmless" way of thinking. I don't care if anyone else does. They're the ones who come off looking bad to most people.

I used to swear like a sailor around my old friends. Then I realized how bad that made me look when I got more mature,and I quit. I do not swear anymore.

And like everything else, it all comes down to appearances and how one "looks," which is a shame. This is just another way for people to look down upon others and pat themselves on the back.

I think part of this argument revolves around a fundamental difference in the way we view ourselves and our responsibility to others.

If you say that swearing is harmless, that only intent matters and that words are "just words", then you have pretty much taken the idea of community off of the boards. While I'm not saying that we should all live totally in the thrall of what others expect or think, we are still, nominally anyway, a society. And as such, there are societal norms and rules that come into play.

Let's say you were in a foreign culture, and in that culture, saying the word "potato" was a grievous social faux pas. Now you might personally think that the rule is insane, but wouldn't you at least try to respect the members of that community and just NOT use the word during your stay there?

Apply that to living in America. While you may feel that many of the words that are a taboo here are harmless, does it really constrict you in any meaningful way to show restraint and just not use them, if it keeps the peace with your fellow man? Is our freedom so tenuous that we have to continually push its limits at every possible opportunity? There are many things that we are perfectly free to do in our society; that does not necessarily mean that we SHOULD or HAVE to do them. We don't live in individual islands where our actions have no consequences to anyone but ourselves. I realize that as our society ages we seem to be going that way, but I don't think we've totally abandoned the notion of a shared community quite yet.

Do I think someone should be fined or thrown in jail for swearing in public? No. We've got (much) bigger fish to fry. But do I think it's fine to shun and think less of someone who feels it's absolutely necessary to use the most caustic and shocking word available when a much less offensive one would suffice? Yeah, I'm afraid I do.

When you're in private, all bets are off. When you are in public, let's act like we have at least some modicum of respect for our fellow man, even if in doing so we have to compromise a bit.

I can understand the beginning of your post, and it's something that I can sorta agree with. I do think before I speak sometimes so that time isn't wasted on someone lecturing me about the evils of "bad words." But, most of the time I don't feel like I "have" to use certain words and I don't think about using the most shocking word. It just happens to be the word that comes most natural to me. And why should I have to restrain myself from using words that come natural to me if they pose no physical or emotional threat toward society at all?

People are free to shun who they wish to shun, but like you said, there really are bigger fish to fry, and I don't see how turning your back on or scolding someone just because of the words they use is one of the big ones. Once upon a time, when I was in the 4th grade, their was a wasp in our classroom, and I didn't realize this until the wasp had its stinger inside my arm. I screamed "****!" and within twenty minutes, I was in the principal's office being treated on the same level as a kid who tried to stab his teacher with a pair of scissors. What kind of lesson is that teaching kids? If you do what comes natural to you and hurt no one in the process, but we don't like it, you'll be treated like a common criminal?

I wish people just educate themselves and learn that these words that we call "bad words" were never cursed or hexed or under the power of witchy juju. It's actually quite funny why some words are considered "bad." "Piss" was actually the commonly-accepted term for urinating for a long time, but when high-brow people started to use the more scientific-sounding "urinate," usage of "piss" became to symbolize low social standing, and so saying that instead of "urinate" began to be looked down upon, and thus...

I don't swear in public or at home. I just never got into the habit and growing up my parents didn't swear in front of me. I believe swearing in public gives a negative first impression.

I can understand the beginning of your post, and it's something that I can sorta agree with. I do think before I speak sometimes so that time isn't wasted on someone lecturing me about the evils of "bad words." But, most of the time I don't feel like I "have" to use certain words and I don't think about using the most shocking word. It just happens to be the word that comes most natural to me. And why should I have to restrain myself from using words that come natural to me if they pose no physical or emotional threat toward society at all?

People are free to shun who they wish to shun, but like you said, there really are bigger fish to fry, and I don't see how turning your back on or scolding someone just because of the words they use is one of the big ones. Once upon a time, when I was in the 4th grade, their was a wasp in our classroom, and I didn't realize this until the wasp had its stinger inside my arm. I screamed "****!" and within twenty minutes, I was in the principal's office being treated on the same level as a kid who tried to stab his teacher with a pair of scissors. What kind of lesson is that teaching kids? If you do what comes natural to you and hurt no one in the process, but we don't like it, you'll be treated like a common criminal?

I wish people just educate themselves and learn that these words that we call "bad words" were never cursed or hexed or under the power of witchy juju. It's actually quite funny why some words are considered "bad." "Piss" was actually the commonly-accepted term for urinating for a long time, but when high-brow people started to use the more scientific-sounding "urinate," usage of "piss" became to symbolize low social standing, and so saying that instead of "urinate" began to be looked down upon, and thus...


I actually think it shows a lack of education and being raised poorly to curse consistently. I guess if people were raised with vulgarity in their home, they know of no other way to communicate. There are plenty of ways to express feelings without constantly dropping the "F Bomb" and other nasty words.

For people to say oh, they are only just words, I guess is their way of justifying talking like they were aised in an alley. I do not allow my kids to curse at home. It shows disrespect to me and my wife and I do not tolerate it. I work in TV and broadcasting, if one of those words are used at the job, I could be fired. I just wish people could use othr words besides the ones that are vulgar.

I actually think it shows a lack of education and being raised poorly to curse consistently. I guess if people were raised with vulgarity in their home, they know of no other way to communicate. There are plenty of ways to express feelings without constantly dropping the "F Bomb" and other nasty words.

For people to say oh, they are only just words, I guess is their way of justifying talking like they were aised in an alley. I do not allow my kids to curse at home. It shows disrespect to me and my wife and I do not tolerate it. I work in TV and broadcasting, if one of those words are used at the job, I could be fired. I just wish people could use othr words besides the ones that are vulgar.
But why are these words "nasty" and "vulgar?"

I respect everyone's opinions, for the record, but I can't wrap my head around the concept of just accepting things because it's just the way it is.

For people to say oh, they are only just words, I guess is their way of justifying talking like they were aised in an alley. I do not allow my kids to curse at home. It shows disrespect to me and my wife and I do not tolerate it. I work in TV and broadcasting, if one of those words are used at the job, I could be fired. I just wish people could use othr words besides the ones that are vulgar.

Ha, this reminds me of the time I was fired from a job as a teen for "being vulgar on the phone".


I had a weekend job in a law office as a secretary/assistant during my senior year of high school and I was about to graduate in a few months.

We had this loony old guy constantly call our office for "legal adivice"; he was off his rocker and the boss says that when he calls to "do whatever you have to do to get him off the phone"


Everytime he called I had to listen to him for a bit and try to stop him mid-way apologizing that "we cannot help him with the services that he asks of us."

By the time I was to leave the place and graduate in about three months all bets were off with me...


One time he called the office and I said, "Look, our legal advice to you is to lock yourself in a room and go stick pins in your penis. Good day" and I hung up the phone.

The phone then was ringing non-stop with him screaming, demanding to speak to the boss and I used to play around by pretending to be the boss in some mock voice like "This is the boss. How may I helllllp yoooouuuu.." which made him worse.


Needless to say when he actually got through to the boss I was dismissed right away without pay.

I did try to defend myself by telling him that he told me to do whatever I had to do and he told me, "James, you do what you did here in a "real job when you're older" and I guarantee you'll never be hired.. at least for a very long time.. in a decent paying posititon."

You know how we all have moments in our lives that are, to quote our President, "a teachable moment". One of mine happened many years ago when I was about 22. I used to swear in public, but not nasty swears and only in the company of friends; not at my Dad's birthday party.

I was down Cape Cod. A few of us had rented a place for the week in the summer. It was on the beach, and we were having a cook-out.
Sounds like a Bud commercial, lol. One of my friend's sister and her husband showed up with their little girl. The only child there. I was sitting down on one of those wooden benches, and I said the word sh*t. The father of the little girl was sitting across from me. He put his index finger to his mouth, making the shhhh gesture, then pointed to his daughter who was sitting in a carriage next to him. In all fairness, the baby was almost out of my sight, as I would never intentionally swear in front of any child. I just turned crimson red and apologized meakly. He was actually very discreet about it, but still, I felt like an idiot. I blamed it on the wine coolers.

I remember afterwards that I went on a rant, "How dare he. We're paying 2 grand for this summer home (probably 5 grand now, lol), and he comes and has free eats for himself and his family, and he's telling ME how to talk? As if a one year old knew what I was saying. F him and the Mini-Van he rode in on." If I'm going to be truthful to myself, half of me still feels that way, 60 years later, lol. Seriously though, I do.

But why are these words "nasty" and "vulgar?"

Do you really have to ask? :eek:

Those words are not in the dictionary for a reason... because they are nasty and vulgar.

Do you really have to ask? :eek:

Those words are not in the dictionary for a reason... because they are nasty and vulgar.

They are in the dictionary, no?

I think the point some people are trying to make here that others are missing is, WHY are these words bad, why are they offensive, why are they so taboo etc. I know myself, and others, aren't trying to say it's okay to mouth off in front of strangers because we know others get offended by it. I think some of us are just asking deeper questions while others are just taking it at face value. That's all.

I think the point some people are trying to make here that others are missing is, WHY are these words bad, why are they offensive, why are they so taboo etc. I know myself, and others, aren't trying to say it's okay to mouth off in front of strangers because we know others get offended by it. I think some of us are just asking deeper questions while others are just taking it at face value. That's all.
Word.

I've yet to get an answer as to why these words are "bad." Yet all it takes is a quick Google search to learn how they earned their reputations.

Some people are just stubborn and will not look at anything from another POV.

I remember afterwards that I went on a rant, "How dare he. We're paying 2 grand for this summer home (probably 5 grand now, lol), and he comes and has free eats for himself and his family, and he's telling ME how to talk? As if a one year old knew what I was saying. F him and the Mini-Van he rode in on." If I'm going to be truthful to myself, half of me still feels that way, 60 years later, lol. Seriously though, I do.

I think your ranting was justified. I don't swear, but I wouldn't impose a swearing ban on an adult. That would be irritating and boring. I don't think my child being exposed to the occassional bad word will scar them for life. However, I would try to stir my kids away from swearing bees.

An observation:

It's okay to say "ass" when referring to a donkey.
It's not okay to say "ass" when referring to someone's butt.
But it's okay to say "butt."

How does that make any sense?
And don't forget "ass" and "hole".

I think part of this argument revolves around a fundamental difference in the way we view ourselves and our responsibility to others.

If you say that swearing is harmless, that only intent matters and that words are "just words", then you have pretty much taken the idea of community off of the boards. While I'm not saying that we should all live totally in the thrall of what others expect or think, we are still, nominally anyway, a society. And as such, there are societal norms and rules that come into play.

Let's say you were in a foreign culture, and in that culture, saying the word "potato" was a grievous social faux pas. Now you might personally think that the rule is insane, but wouldn't you at least try to respect the members of that community and just NOT use the word during your stay there?

Apply that to living in America. While you may feel that many of the words that are a taboo here are harmless, does it really constrict you in any meaningful way to show restraint and just not use them, if it keeps the peace with your fellow man? Is our freedom so tenuous that we have to continually push its limits at every possible opportunity? There are many things that we are perfectly free to do in our society; that does not necessarily mean that we SHOULD or HAVE to do them. We don't live in individual islands where our actions have no consequences to anyone but ourselves. I realize that as our society ages we seem to be going that way, but I don't think we've totally abandoned the notion of a shared community quite yet.

Do I think someone should be fined or thrown in jail for swearing in public? No. We've got (much) bigger fish to fry. But do I think it's fine to shun and think less of someone who feels it's absolutely necessary to use the most caustic and shocking word available when a much less offensive one would suffice? Yeah, I'm afraid I do.

When you're in private, all bets are off. When you are in public, let's act like we have at least some modicum of respect for our fellow man, even if in doing so we have to compromise a bit.

You make some good points about compromising and putting your SELF aside for the sake of your fellow man. Yes, culturally speaking, it's a good idea not to live day to day 100% uncensored. There are still people out there that think words are a big deal, thus we must censor ourselves to a certain degree... but that doesn't have to stop us from having the opinion that it's all silly.

sorry... double post.

They are in the dictionary, no?
No, not the words most people don't use in front of children. For instance, the word Janice used isn't.

No, not the words most people don't use in front of children. For instance, the word Janice used isn't.
...what dictionary are you talking about?

Both "****" and "****" are in the dictionary. Real dictionaries, at least...

...what dictionary are you talking about?

Both "****" and "****" are in the dictionary. Real dictionaries, at least...

Yeah, that was my point.

Every swear word, that I know of, are in any dictionary out there; both online and physical books.

...what dictionary are you talking about?

Both "****" and "****" are in the dictionary. Real dictionaries, at least...
What dictionary are YOU talking about? The word Janice used which she mentioned in her post certainly isn't in any dictionary I have seen!

What dictionary are YOU talking about? The word Janice used which she mentioned in her post certainly isn't in any dictionary I have seen!
It's in The Concise Oxford Dictionary 1976 edition.

It's in The Concise Oxford Dictionary 1976 edition.
It's not in the most-known, used and respected dictionary... Websters.
Or in the American Heritage College Dictionary. In fact, it's not in any of my dictionaries, old or recent. As well it shouldn't since it isn't a recognized proper word.

What dictionary are YOU talking about? The word Janice used which she mentioned in her post certainly isn't in any dictionary I have seen!
Oh my God...what do I have to do? Show you links? She mentioned two cuss words, both of them are in the dictionary, both of them have been in every single comprehensive dictionary that I've ever seen. Maybe you're talking about a little pocket-sized dollar store thing, but if you are, then we can start demonizing words like "detrimental," "cardiovascular," "pentameter," and "telenovela."

You're such a detrimental telenovela. Always in such a cardiovascular mood!

It's not in the most-known, used and respected dictionary... Websters.
Or in the American Heritage College Dictionary. In fact, it's not in any of my dictionaries, old or recent. As well it shouldn't since it isn't a recognized proper word.
Not in Webster's? Dude, we have a practically ancient Webster's from 1983, and both "****" and "****" are in it, as well as variations of them both.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/****
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/****

Replace the asterisks with the four-letter words of your choice.

Oh my God...what do I have to do? Show you links? She mentioned two cuss words, both of them are in the dictionary, both of them have been in every single comprehensive dictionary that I've ever seen. Maybe you're talking about a little pocket-sized dollar store thing, but if you are, then we can start demonizing words like "detrimental," "cardiovascular," "pentameter," and "telenovela."

You're such a detrimental telenovela. Always in such a cardiovascular mood!
LOL you tell him!

i dont curse often myself but i have no major problem with people doing it really. obviously if you're around kids or in a professional setting you should watch your language but if you're just hanging out with some friends your age, what's the big deal? they're just words, they aren't hurting anybody, and you aren't trying to impress anyone.

actually i find that it tends to make a lot of sentences funnier. lol.

i dont curse often myself but i have no major problem with people doing it really. obviously if you're around kids or in a professional setting you should watch your language but if you're just hanging out with some friends your age, what's the big deal? they're just words, they aren't hurting anybody, and you aren't trying to impress anyone.

actually i find that it tends to make a lot of sentences funnier. lol.
I was in a bored mood the other day until, as I was walking in the hallway, I heard the discussion of two girls about a teacher.

Girl 1: Yeah, she's pretty nice.
Girl 2: Pretty nice my balls.

It made me giggle. If you experienced this and didn't get a chuckle out of it, I respect that. But grl, way I see it is...the more things you find funny, the more you laugh.

Not in Webster's? Dude, we have a practically ancient Webster's from 1983, and both "****" and "****" are in it, as well as variations of them both.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/****
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/****

Replace the asterisks with the four-letter words of your choice.
The dictionary describes most swears I keyed in as usually vulgar or usually obscene, even sh*t. You're making your opponent's case.

I was in a bored mood the other day until, as I was walking in the hallway, I heard the discussion of two girls about a teacher.

Girl 1: Yeah, she's pretty nice.
Girl 2: Pretty nice my balls.

It made me giggle. If you experienced this and didn't get a chuckle out of it, I respect that. But grl, way I see it is...the more things you find funny, the more you laugh.
LOL thats great

The dictionary describes most swears I keyed in as usually vulgar or usually obscene, even sh*t. You're making your opponent's case.

True, but the "usually vulgar" is meant to note the tone of which the word is used. It does define what the word means.

Take sh*t for example you get:
usually vulgar - feces
usually vulgar - the act of defecation
usually vulgar - nonscense, crap
usually vulgar - a worthless, offensive, or detestable person
usually vulgar - used as an interjection/intensive usually with the

That's how Websters defines it.

True, but the "usually vulgar" is meant to note the tone of which the word is used. It does define what the word means.

Take sh*t for example you get:
usually vulgar - feces
usually vulgar - the act of defecation
usually vulgar - nonscense, crap
usually vulgar - a worthless, offensive, or detestable person
usually vulgar - used as an interjection/intensive usually with the

That's how Websters defines it.
I think it's a given that the dictionary applies it's "usually vulgar or obscene" definition to profanity or when the word is said in a profane manner. My point is that simply because it's in the dictionary doesn't mean it's a proper word.

There are two arguments in this thread. One is A) Bad words are bad. The other is B) Why are these bad words bad?

No one is saying these words are 100% acceptable. We're asking why they aren't.

Try the "why" exercise. For example, take the word s**t. Why is the word bad to say?
An answer might be: "because it's offensive."

Ask why again: Why is this word offensive?
An answer might be: "it sounds bad"

Ask why again: Why does it sound bad?
An answer might be: "it's a vulgar word"

Ask why again: Why is it a vulgar word?
An answer might be: "it refers to dirty things, like poop or a lowlife"

Ask why again: Why is this word bad, and not the words poop or lowlife?

And here we land at a wall. Play the why game until you no longer have straight answers, and eventually you come to the answer "because that's just the way it is"

In the end, "because" is the only answer. Those of us questioning why swear words are bad are those of us who think "because" is a silly answer. We're curious. We aren't disagreeing that you should avoid certain words at certain times. We are merely asking, "why is that the case?"

I think it's a given that the dictionary applies it's "usually vulgar or obscene" definition to profanity or when the word is said in a profane manner. My point is that simply because it's in the dictionary doesn't mean it's a proper word.

Yeah, that's what the "usually vulgar" means.

That wasn't the point as Fleet made it sound like that these words are not listed in the dictionary.

It's not in the most-known, used and respected dictionary... Websters.

As you can see it was in Websters. They might not be "proper words" but they are noted as vulgar and you get what the word means.

There are two arguments in this thread. One is A) Bad words are bad. The other is B) Why are these bad words bad?

No one is saying these words are 100% acceptable. We're asking why they aren't.

Try the "why" exercise. For example, take the word s**t. Why is the word bad to say?
An answer might be: "because it's offensive."

Ask why again: Why is this word offensive?
An answer might be: "it sounds bad"

Ask why again: Why does it sound bad?
An answer might be: "it's a vulgar word"

Ask why again: Why is it a vulgar word?
An answer might be: "it refers to dirty things, like poop or a lowlife"

Ask why again: Why is this word bad, and not the words poop or lowlife?

And here we land at a wall. Play the why game until you no longer have straight answers, and eventually you come to the answer "because that's just the way it is"

In the end, "because" is the only answer. Those of us questioning why swear words are bad are those of us who think "because" is a silly answer. We're curious. We aren't disagreeing that you should avoid certain words at certain times. We are merely asking, "why is that the case?"
I love you.

Yeah, that's what the "usually vulgar" means.

That wasn't the point as Fleet made it sound like that these words are not listed in the dictionary.



As you can see it was in Websters. They might not be "proper words" but they are noted as vulgar and you get what the word means.
I wasn't referring to Fleet or whether it's in the dictionary. He clearly was wrong. I wasn't in that fray. When I said opponents, I was referring to the people who don't agree with swearing in public. The argument that if it's in the dictionary then it makes the case of those who swear, doesn't hold water. Not you. I haven't even followed who's really said what.

I love you.
I love you too, home skills!

I wasn't referring to Fleet or whether it's in the dictionary. He clearly was wrong. I wasn't in that fray. When I said opponents, I was referring to the people who don't agree with swearing in public. The argument that if it's in the dictionary then it makes the case of those who swear, doesn't hold water. Not you. I haven't even followed who's really said what.

LOL.. I see now.

There are two arguments in this thread. One is A) Bad words are bad. The other is B) Why are these bad words bad?

No one is saying these words are 100% acceptable. We're asking why they aren't.

Try the "why" exercise. For example, take the word s**t. Why is the word bad to say?
An answer might be: "because it's offensive."

Ask why again: Why is this word offensive?
An answer might be: "it sounds bad"

Ask why again: Why does it sound bad?
An answer might be: "it's a vulgar word"

Ask why again: Why is it a vulgar word?
An answer might be: "it refers to dirty things, like poop or a lowlife"

Ask why again: Why is this word bad, and not the words poop or lowlife?

And here we land at a wall. Play the why game until you no longer have straight answers, and eventually you come to the answer "because that's just the way it is"

In the end, "because" is the only answer. Those of us questioning why swear words are bad are those of us who think "because" is a silly answer. We're curious. We aren't disagreeing that you should avoid certain words at certain times. We are merely asking, "why is that the case?"
LOL. that was deep, ashlee.

good point though. :)

There are two arguments in this thread. One is A) Bad words are bad. The other is B) Why are these bad words bad?

No one is saying these words are 100% acceptable. We're asking why they aren't.

Try the "why" exercise. For example, take the word s**t. Why is the word bad to say?
An answer might be: "because it's offensive."

Ask why again: Why is this word offensive?
An answer might be: "it sounds bad"

Ask why again: Why does it sound bad?
An answer might be: "it's a vulgar word"

Ask why again: Why is it a vulgar word?
An answer might be: "it refers to dirty things, like poop or a lowlife"

Ask why again: Why is this word bad, and not the words poop or lowlife?

And here we land at a wall. Play the why game until you no longer have straight answers, and eventually you come to the answer "because that's just the way it is"

In the end, "because" is the only answer. Those of us questioning why swear words are bad are those of us who think "because" is a silly answer. We're curious. We aren't disagreeing that you should avoid certain words at certain times. We are merely asking, "why is that the case?"



Why is the sky blue? Why is Obama President? Why is a crooked letter etc, etc... If you really need to ask why words like sh*t, **** and other words are bad, then that proves my point. It shows a lack of class and education if you consistently need to say the words. If you had a child, and she/he talked back or misbehaved, would you tell them to eat **** or **** off? Would you curse in front of your grandmother or an elder?

I wasn't referring to Fleet or whether it's in the dictionary. He clearly was wrong. I wasn't in that fray. When I said opponents, I was referring to the people who don't agree with swearing in public. The argument that if it's in the dictionary then it makes the case of those who swear, doesn't hold water. Not you. I haven't even followed who's really said what.
No one even made that argument, though. Fleet brought up the ridiculous dictionary thing, which was completely and totally baseless (and where is he now?), and we were proving him wrong.

But, along similar lines, just because the dictionary says "vulgar" doesn't mean it's vulgar. The dictionary fails to give a reason as to why these words are "vulgar." Also, dictionaries usually have word etymologies, and those help my side.

My point, just like Ashlee so eloquently broke it down, is that no one here seems to have an answer as to why these particular words are "bad" when words that mean the exact same thing are perfectly acceptable. No one has given a concrete answer, and no "just because" does not count. A lot of things in history have been defended by that pretty weak argument.

If any poster can point me in the direction of a website or maybe some other source that backs up why "****" is such a horrible word and "feces" is okay, I will gladly and willingly say that I've been wrong.

Why is the sky blue? Why is Obama President? Why is a crooked letter etc, etc... If you really need to ask why words like sh*t, **** and other words are bad, then that proves my point. It shows a lack of class and education if you consistently need to say the words. If you had a child, and she/he talked back or misbehaved, would you tell them to eat **** or **** off? Would you curse in front of your grandmother or an elder?
OMG, again with the "need."

No one "needs" to say these words. I personally use these words at the same frequency that I use "acceptable" words. Actually, the frequency would probably be much lower since we're talking about a relatively small group of words. I'm not gonna walk into a class and say "How the **** are you, bitch-instructor?" Not because it's "baaaad" but because those aren't the words that come to me in that situation.

I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people want to make assumptions about a person's educational background because of the words they use. This whole thing is a matter of education itself. When something in society causes problems -- and if businesses have to fire damn good workers because they use "foul language," it's a problem -- and the only answer people can come up with is "just because," then that's when people should educate themselves instead of accepting everything they're told.

And the funny thing is, both of your hypothetical "why" questions can be answered pretty quickly with a Google search (though I don't know where you were going with the crooked letter thing).

Why is the sky blue? Why is Obama President? Why is a crooked letter etc, etc... If you really need to ask why words like sh*t, **** and other words are bad, then that proves my point. It shows a lack of class and education if you consistently need to say the words. If you had a child, and she/he talked back or misbehaved, would you tell them to eat **** or **** off? Would you curse in front of your grandmother or an elder?
It does not show a lack of class or education, thank you. Asking questions is never, ever wrong. Asking questions SHOWS an ABUNDANCE of education. I don't know what your point even is because I haven't seen you say much on the matter, but obviously you've missed mine. I'll say it until I turn blue...I am not saying it's fine to say words like that at any old time. I'm not suggesting I'll tell my kids to **** off. I am asking WHY. If people never asked why, we'd never make any progress in this world. If people never asked why, we'd be a bunch of mindless bafoons who do whatever we're told and don't even bother to wonder why we're doing it. That's inhuman, if anything. I'm a naturally curious person. I always try to figure out why things are the way they are. I'm a google freak. I'm always googling things to find the answers. I can ask questions about swear words, too. I don't know if you were suggesting I lack education or class, but if that's what you were saying that's more offensive to me than if you swore at me.

P.S.

Why is the sky blue?: There is a physical phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering that causes light to scatter when it passes through particles that have a diameter one-tenth that of the wavelength (color) of the light. Sunlight is made up of all different colors of light, but because of the elements in the atmosphere the color blue is scattered much more efficiently than the other colors. http://science.howstuffworks.com/sky.htm

Why is Obama President?: More people voted for him.

Why is a crooked letter?: I don't think that's a complete sentence.

The only thing wrong with excessive cursing is the excessiveness of the same words.Curse word or not, use some different words, damnit.Or don't use extra word emphasis at all.

I remember this one guy one time was going nuts with "nigguh".Every sentence had it one or more times one day.

"I know, my nigguh, I know.But nigguh."

OMG, again with the "need."

No one "needs" to say these words. I personally use these words at the same frequency that I use "acceptable" words. Actually, the frequency would probably be much lower since we're talking about a relatively small group of words. I'm not gonna walk into a class and say "How the **** are you, bitch-instructor?" Not because it's "baaaad" but because those aren't the words that come to me in that situation.

I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people want to make assumptions about a person's educational background because of the words they use. This whole thing is a matter of education itself. When something in society causes problems -- and if businesses have to fire damn good workers because they use "foul language," it's a problem -- and the only answer people can come up with is "just because," then that's when people should educate themselves instead of accepting everything they're told.

And the funny thing is, both of your hypothetical "why" questions can be answered pretty quickly with a Google search (though I don't know where you were going with the crooked letter thing).

If cursing doesn't show a lack of class and education, then it is laziness, if it is not laziness, then it is lack of respect. I think it is absolutely ridiculous defending using these words. There is a cornoucopia of words a person can use in any situation. Why use those? If you don't NEED to use those words as you say, why use them at all?

No one even made that argument, though. Fleet brought up the ridiculous dictionary thing, which was completely and totally baseless (and where is he now?), and we were proving him wrong.

But, along similar lines, just because the dictionary says "vulgar" doesn't mean it's vulgar. The dictionary fails to give a reason as to why these words are "vulgar." Also, dictionaries usually have word etymologies, and those help my side.

My point, just like Ashlee so eloquently broke it down, is that no one here seems to have an answer as to why these particular words are "bad" when words that mean the exact same thing are perfectly acceptable. No one has given a concrete answer, and no "just because" does not count. A lot of things in history have been defended by that pretty weak argument.

If any poster can point me in the direction of a website or maybe some other source that backs up why "****" is such a horrible word and "feces" is okay, I will gladly and willingly say that I've been wrong."
I'm right here and I'm not wrong. None of my dictionaries have that word and obviously it shouldn't be in there.

If cursing doesn't show a lack of class and education, then it is laziness, if it is not laziness, then it is lack of respect. I think it is absolutely ridiculous defending using these words. There is a cornoucopia of words a person can use in any situation. Why use those? If you don't NEED to use those words as you say, why use them at all?
You've run out of things to say.

We live in a society where the completely irrational fear/dislike of words (words!!!) is accepted and encouraged.

If cursing doesn't show a lack of class and education, then it is laziness, if it is not laziness, then it is lack of respect. I think it is absolutely ridiculous defending using these words. There is a cornoucopia of words a person can use in any situation. Why use those? If you don't NEED to use those words as you say, why use them at all?
It does show just how low society has become. The mere fact that there is a disagreement about it proves it.

I like the answer Lou Christie (an early '60s Rock singer) gave. His list of likes and dislikes. Under dislikes is swearing. He said, "It's completely unnecessary."

"
I'm right here and I'm not wrong. None of my dictionaries have that word and obviously it shouldn't be in there.
What dictionaries do you have?

"
I'm right here and I'm not wrong. None of my dictionaries have that word and obviously it shouldn't be in there.

But you are wrong about it not being in Websters.

What dictionaries do you have?
Thats what I was wondering..

"
I'm right here and I'm not wrong. None of my dictionaries have that word and obviously it shouldn't be in there.
Why shouldn't it be there? What if someone wants to know what the technical meaning of the word is?

Why shouldn't it be there? What if someone wants to know what the technical meaning of the word is?
Exactly!

Why shouldn't it be there? What if someone wants to know what the technical meaning of the word is?
It shouldn't be there because then people would see that these words have origins that are no different than the origins of every other word in the English language.

Why shouldn't it be there? What if someone wants to know what the technical meaning of the word is?
Do you really have to ask? Society is worse than I thought!

Do you really have to ask? Society is worse than I thought!
LOL

What dictionaries do you have?

My point, just like Ashlee so eloquently broke it down, is that no one here seems to have an answer as to why these particular words are "bad" when words that mean the exact same thing are perfectly acceptable.

So essentially is telling someone "You are piece of excrement" 'better' than saying "You are a piece of sh*t"?

It shouldn't be there because then people would see that these words have origins that are no different than the origins of every other word in the English language.
Exactly.

Either that, or we're going into censorship territory.

What dictionaries do you have?
I have the 2 I listed earlier. And more stored away.

Anyway, if the person listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for "Highest I.Q.," Marilyn vos Savant, doesn't like swearing, that's good enough for me...

From her column a few years back:

Q: "I don't become friends with any person who uses vulgar language in everyday conversation. I have enough friends, but I've rejected some interesting people because of their frequent use of obscenities. Do you think I'm being reasonable?"

A: "Yes. When I read your letter, I thought about my own friends. Although I've never consciously decided against anyone for this reason, I noticed that none of my friends uses bad language. I guess I've never found an interesting person with a foul mouth."

Do you really have to ask? Society is worse than I thought!
How about you give me an answer?

Society will be worse off when we stop questioning things and accepting them without thinking. I'm in college. We're told to think and question things. Nothing is off limits. :) Actually, this makes for a good paper in my Cultural Studies class.

So essentially is telling someone "You are piece of excrement" 'better' than saying "You are a piece of sh*t"?
It's more "respectable" and means you have more "class" apparently. Whatever that means.

Personally, if someone told me I was a piece of excrement, I'd probably want to beat the excrement out of them just the same.

How about you give me an answer?

Society will be worse off when we stop questioning things and accepting them without thinking. I'm in college. We're told to think and question things. Nothing is off limits. :) Actually, this makes for a good paper in my Cultural Studies class.
I already did answer that before... it is vulgar and rude.

There are still some people around who have proper manners in case you didn't realize it.

How about you give me an answer?

Society will be worse off when we stop questioning things and accepting them without thinking. I'm in college. We're told to think and question things. Nothing is off limits. :) Actually, this makes for a good paper in my Cultural Studies class.
Good idea, you can use an SO thread as a work youve cited! LOL, really thatd be cool :lol: :D

I have the 2 I listed earlier. And more stored away.

Anyway, if the person listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for "Highest I.Q.," Marilyn vos Savant, doesn't like swearing, that's good enough for me...

From her column a few years back:

Q: "I don't become friends with any person who uses vulgar language in everyday conversation. I have enough friends, but I've rejected some interesting people because of their frequent use of obscenities. Do you think I'm being reasonable?"

A: "Yes. When I read your letter, I thought about my own friends. Although I've never consciously decided against anyone for this reason, I noticed that none of my friends uses bad language. I guess I've never found an interesting person with a foul mouth."
LOL Marilyn. I read Marilyn. She also swears (pun!) off television, too, so if you really want to follow her lead...

I already did answer that before... it is vulgar and rude.

There are still some people around who have proper manners in case you didn't realize it.
Why is it vulgar and rude, though?

And I don't understand why you're implying I don't have manners just because I'm questioning it. I never said I swear in front of people I don't know.

boy, i shouldn't have come back here last night. just like ****ing a virgin, once ya pop ya can't stop.

anyway, here's my foul-mouthed self's point of view. cuss words are "bad", but only because they exist in an unbreakable cycle. i use them in excess around my friends and online, but if a complete stranger were to say the f-word to me in a brief personal exchange, i would be midly offended because they didn't consider whether or not i was ok with it before saying it. if i were an employer and i were interviewing a job candidate, and they swore during the interview, their chances of being hired would go way down because once again they're showing that they don't care. it also may indicate that they would use those words around customers while on the job, which would make our company look bad because it's impolite. thus, the disapproval i'm describing REINFORCES the lack of social acceptance of those words, which reinforces the disapproval of them, and so the cycle continues. the only way to break it would be to gather everyone on earth and make an agreement not to intend any harm with those words, which we can't do. and besides, if the phrase "**** you" became just as acceptable as "i wish misfortune upon you," it would no longer be as emphatic.


oh, ps: i learned the negative connotations of the words c__t, dick, and beaver from reading webster's encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language.

boy, i shouldn't have come back here last night. just like ****ing a virgin, once ya pop ya can't stop.

anyway, here's my foul-mouthed self's point of view. cuss words are "bad", but only because they exist in an unbreakable cycle. i use them in excess around my friends and online, but if a complete stranger were to say the f-word to me in a brief personal exchange, i would be midly offended because they didn't consider whether or not i was ok with it before saying it. if i were an employer and i were interviewing a job candidate, and they swore during the interview, their chances of being hired would go way down because once again they're showing that they don't care. it also may indicate that they would use those words around customers while on the job, which would make our company look bad because it's impolite. thus, the disapproval i'm describing REINFORCES the lack of social acceptance of those words, which reinforces the disapproval of them, and so the cycle continues. the only way to break it would be to gather everyone on earth and make an agreement not to intend any harm with those words, which we can't do. and besides, if the phrase "**** you" became just as acceptable as "i wish misfortune upon you," it would no longer be as emphatic.


oh, ps: i learned the negative connotations of the words c__t, d__k, and beaver from reading webster's encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language.
Sarah! :hug:

Thank you for making sense. You've given somewhat of an answer to my asking why are these words bad by suggesting why they are offensive: they're offensive often because it suggests that by saying them, a person doesn't care what another person thinks.

Point well taken and it makes absolute sense.

Of course, I still have no answer as to why these words are THE bad words.

Isn't "damn" just as bad or worse than the words censored on this board?

^its kinda funny how that one is always looked at as one of the lesser curse words since that one actually has a religious background to it, unlike say, sh*t...lol

^its kinda funny how that one is always looked at as one of the lesser curse words since that one actually has a religious background to it, unlike say, sh*t...lol
I never noticed that before, but you are exactly right.

^its kinda funny how that one is always looked at as one of the lesser curse words since that one actually has a religious background to it, unlike say, sh*t...lol
True. Someone words are obviously offensive because they have religious background and offend others when religious terms are used negatively. Another good answer. Thanks Joseph.

Still no answer for words like s**t or f**k though.

True. Someone words are obviously offensive because they have religious background and offend others when religious terms are used negatively. Another good answer. Thanks Joseph.

Still no answer for words like s**t or f**k though.

I'm even aware of some religious folk who refuse to say/use the word "hell".

They even are sometimes 'afraid' to say it relating to the biblical term thinking the devil is going to take them over if they say the word; I think that's insane.

I'm even aware of some religious folk who refuse to say/use the word "hell".

They even are sometimes 'afraid' to say it relating to the biblical term thinking the devil is going to take them over if they say the word; I think that's insane.
Insane maybe, but more understandable than be offended by certain other words.

You could say sh*t and f*ck are bad because they SOUND bad... but that's only because we've placed those labels on them over time. It's really just a cultural thing. We've decided over time that these words are bad. Yet.. poop, dung, waste, excrement, sex, intercourse, fornication, etc... are considered alright... they all MEAN THE SAME THING. It's strange, however that's the culture we live in.

Doesn't f*** stand for "fornication under the consent of the king"?

POON

Doesn't f*** stand for "fornication under the consent of the king"?

POON
Yes it does. Why that turned into it's meaning today, I don't know.

Insane maybe, but more understandable than be offended by certain other words.

There are also other religious folk who find that to be ridiculous so I guess it's all on how devout you are and your traditional customs.

Some women want to go topless. They think it's all natural and it doesn't hurt anyone. Some people rarely bathe. How about the women who breastfeeds their three year olds in public. Some people are into public displays of affection that cause embarrassment to all around them. Who wants to be on a bus, train or park bench while two people are all over each other with massive tongue swapping. Suppose people started farting and burping anytime. Everywhere -- in church, in class, at the movies, the grocery store, etc. How about those guys that do that "readjusting" thing, the ass scratchers, the nose pickers, the public spitters, on and on.

There are many things that are not acceptable in today's society. Still, we are a polite society, and the majority of us strive to remain so. I guess the answer to the question of, Why is bad to swear in public? Because it's impolite and offensive in today's society, same as many other things that some people do.

Some women want to go topless. They think it's all natural and it doesn't hurt anyone. Some people rarely bathe. How about the women who breastfeeds their three year olds in public. Some people are into public displays of affection that cause embarrassment to all around them. Who wants to be on a bus, train or park bench while two people are all over each other with massive tongue swapping. Suppose people started farting and burping anytime. Everywhere -- in church, in class, at the movies, the grocery store, etc. How about those guys that do that "readjusting" thing, the ass scratchers, the nose pickers, the public spitters, on and on.

There are many things that are not acceptable in today's society. Still, we are a polite society, and the majority of us strive to remain so. I guess the answer to the question of, Why is bad to swear in public? Because it's impolite and offensive in today's society, same as many other things that some people do.
And the point, once again, is missed.

And the point, once again, is missed.
Oh please. Can you be any more smug? I didn't miss anything. You and Ashlee have been harping for days, why, why, why? The answer is because we live in a polite society. It's impolite to swear. Can't it be any more simple, unless you're trying to dig your way to China with question after question. So deeeeep.

Curse words are just amped up to the point where even people who don't care view it as a big thing.Farting is different cause you gag and choke.It is not our fault people in society get offended by words.Maybe we should be offended for them expressing that we shouldn't talk this way.

It's as irrelevant as saying "bless you".I don't say it because I think it's stupid.

Now, if there is actually a person out there using curse words in the intention of unblessing somebody rather than expressing how they feel about a person's worth then we can talk about being offended.

Oh please. Can you be any more smug? I didn't miss anything. You and Ashlee have been harping for days, why, why, why? The answer is because we live in a polite society. It's impolite to swear. Can't it be any more simple, unless you're trying to dig your way to China with question after question. So deeeeep.
But you have missed the point.

The question we're asking is not about "politeness." It's about the words themselves and how they came to be so scandalous when, for the most part, nothing in their etymologies can back up their bad reputations.

Oh please. Can you be any more smug? I didn't miss anything. You and Ashlee have been harping for days, why, why, why? The answer is because we live in a polite society. It's impolite to swear. Can't it be any more simple, unless you're trying to dig your way to China with question after question. So deeeeep.
But no, you're not getting it. I understand that it's to be polite. I follow these rules myself. I'm just interested in how and why certain words are offensive. I'm not even being rude about it, I'm literally trying to make it an intellectual coversation because language interests me.

JT isn't being smug either. Looks like he's a curious person too. There are two different arguments in this thread and I don't think some people are realizing that.

Some women want to go topless. They think it's all natural and it doesn't hurt anyone. Some people rarely bathe. How about the women who breastfeeds their three year olds in public. Some people are into public displays of affection that cause embarrassment to all around them. Who wants to be on a bus, train or park bench while two people are all over each other with massive tongue swapping. Suppose people started farting and burping anytime. Everywhere -- in church, in class, at the movies, the grocery store, etc. How about those guys that do that "readjusting" thing, the ass scratchers, the nose pickers, the public spitters, on and on.

There are many things that are not acceptable in today's society. Still, we are a polite society, and the majority of us strive to remain so. I guess the answer to the question of, Why is bad to swear in public? Because it's impolite and offensive in today's society, same as many other things that some people do.

You made good points about things people do in public and how it affects others and how they interpret what they see.

Just because someone wants to curse, or go topless, breastfeed, make-out, doesn't mean that they should. Just as you might feel it's your right to do what you want, it's the right of people around you not to be subjected to foul language, PDA, among other things. Just because you know bad words doesn't mean you should shout them from the roof tops. I know I don't want to see topless women, preschoolers nurse, people shoving their tongues down each others' throats, listening to a string of curse words etc. Some things should be kept behind closed doors [at home].

I for one am offended by my thread being deleted for no reason.

This proves why everything is "just because".

But no, you're not getting it. I understand that it's to be polite. I follow these rules myself. I'm just interested in how and why certain words are offensive. I'm not even being rude about it, I'm literally trying to make it an intellectual coversation because language interests me.

JT isn't being smug either. Looks like he's a curious person too. There are two different arguments in this thread and I don't think some people are realizing that.
He's not? Let someone give you the same dismissive answer twice and see how you like it. Would he say that to you? As for swearing, it should be easy enough to look up the history of the actual swears. The fact is those words took on a negative meaning. Society, being what it is, views the use of these words as offensive. What don't you understand?

I for one am offended by my thread being deleted for no reason.

This proves why everything is "just because".
Yeah, that's a little ridiculous. People were actually discussing it maturely.

You shouldn't have posted random songs in it, though.

You made good points about things people do in public and how it affects others and how they interpret what they see.

Just because someone wants to curse, or go topless, breastfeed, make-out, doesn't mean that they should. Just as you might feel it's your right to do what you want, it's the right of people around you not to be subjected to foul language, PDA, among other things. Just because you know bad words doesn't mean you should shout them from the roof tops. I know I don't want to see topless women, preschoolers nurse, people shoving their tongues down each others' throats, listening to a string of curse words etc. Some things should be kept behind closed doors [at home].
Are you offended when somebody calls someone else stupid though?Just because it's been bad to much of society for ages doesn't mean people should continue to serve their wishes.Much like slavery did, this way of thinking should to.A lot of white people thought black people were bad for no reason, like curse words.

He's not? Let someone give you the same dismissive answer twice and see how you like it. Would he say that to you? As for swearing, it should be easy enough to look up the history of the actual swears. The fact is those words took on a negative meaning. Society, being what it is, views the use of these words as offensive. What don't you understand?
I'd say it to her if she missed my point, and then we'd probably explain ourselves to each other to try to understand better, and then we'd probably move on and make it water under the bridge.

It's not a dismissive answer. It's me telling you "OK, but that's not what we're talking about."

Question: do you believe that society should ever be questioned?

He's not? Let someone give you the same dismissive answer twice and see how you like it. Would he say that to you? As for swearing, it should be easy enough to look up the history of the actual swears. The fact is those words took on a negative meaning. Society, being what it is, views the use of these words as offensive. What don't you understand?
Well maybe you took it that way, but that's not how I saw it.

I don't know, I'm the kind of person who wonders why to everything. Like, why did society come to view the words as offensive? Sometimes definition isn't enough because, as mentioned before, two words can mean the same thing, yet one is offensive and another isn't. I find it interesting as to why. I like to go to the root of things, personally. I challenge things so that I can learn from them better. It's frustrating when the only answers are "that's just how it is, that's just what they mean." I mean I've said this over and over so I don't know why that's so difficult to understand. I'm not trying to offend anyone and I don't see why I should have. I've said countless times I myself agree certain words shouldn't be said in front of strangers out of respect. I just like to know why. I don't see what's wrong with being curious.

Yeah, that's a little ridiculous. People were actually discussing it maturely.

You shouldn't have posted random songs in it, though.
It was relevant, even if it was jokingly:lol:.That wouldn't have closed the thread though.

Question: do you believe that society should ever be questioned?
Sometimes I feel like nobody thinks so. If anything, that's more scary for society than the increased usage of certain words. If nothing was questioned, this country wouldn't even exist.

Well maybe you took it that way, but that's not how I saw it.

I don't know, I'm the kind of person who wonders why to everything. Like, why did society come to view the words as offensive? Sometimes definition isn't enough because, as mentioned before, two words can mean the same thing, yet one is offensive and another isn't. I find it interesting as to why. I like to go to the root of things, personally. I challenge things so that I can learn from them better. It's frustrating when the only answers are "that's just how it is, that's just what they mean." I mean I've said this over and over so I don't know why that's so difficult to understand. I'm not trying to offend anyone and I don't see why I should have. I've said countless times I myself agree certain words shouldn't be said in front of strangers out of respect. I just like to know why. I don't see what's wrong with being curious.
I think you're over-explaining it. From my last post, what don't you understand? What is your question? Try to bottom line it.

I think you're over-explaining it. From my last post, what don't you understand? What is your question? Try to bottom line it.
I honestly don't know what else to say. I think we're just on a different page and are seeing this from two completely different angles. I can't explain it any further. Plus, I'm tired. Goodnight everyone :wave:

I'm not gonna walk into a class and say "How the **** are you, bitch-instructor?" Not because it's "baaaad" but because those aren't the words that come to me in that situation.
That's your reason, not because they're bad words? I suppose getting in a lot of trouble might have something to do with it. You saw what happened when you swore in the fourth grade; which, by the way, is not the normal reaction from a young child, bee sting or not. Swearing is as ingrained in you, as it's not in most others.

I'd say it to her if she missed my point, and then we'd probably explain ourselves to each other to try to understand better, and then we'd probably move on and make it water under the bridge.

It's not a dismissive answer. It's me telling you "OK, but that's not what we're talking about."

Question: do you believe that society should ever be questioned?
I highly doubt you'd say to Ashlee, "And the point, once again, is missed." (second time) You save those curt replies for those who don't agree with you.

That's your reason, not because they're bad words? I suppose getting in a lot of trouble might have something to do with it. You saw what happened when you swore in the fourth grade; which, by the way, is not the normal reaction from a young child, bee sting or not. Swearing is as ingrained in you, as it's not in most others.
Yes, that's my reason. I use "bitch" for one of two reasons: I'm not a fan of the person, or me and the person are friendly enough that we use it as a term of endearment for each other. An instructor or professor wouldn't really fall into either one of those categories (wll, he/she could be someone I don't like, but I also wouldn't call him/her a doody head or an idiot, no matter how much I'd want to).

IMO, it really shouldn't matter if swearing when you're stung by a wasp is a normal thing for a child or not. It was normal for me, and me reacting with any word would have disrupted the class just the same, so I don't see why I should have been punished because of the word I did use. I'd guess that maybe because that particular word is so scandalized, it might have got the other kids more excited than if I'd screamed "Fiddlesticks!" but that's just another example of why these words are "bad" because society has made them bad.

I highly doubt you'd say to Ashlee, "And the point, once again, is missed." (second time) You save those curt replies for those who don't agree with you.
Well, you can draw your own conclusions about what I'd say or not say. I'm telling you what I would say. I can't help you if you don't want to acknowledge that.

I honestly don't know what else to say. I think we're just on a different page and are seeing this from two completely different angles. I can't explain it any further. Plus, I'm tired. Goodnight everyone :wave:
When you're rested up, perhaps you can explain to me. What specifically don't you understand? I told you why people find the words offensive, that it's standards set by society. You may not like the answer, but it is the answer.

Maybe it's just the way people were raised. I know in my house, when I was growing up, curse words where not allowed. My parents didn't curse at me and they made it clear that I wasn't allowed to use curse words either. Curse words did not begin with this generation either. When I went to school, I heard them. Sometimes it felt like I was in an R-Rated movie. Even when I was in school though, I barely cursed. I've just never felt that comfortable doing it. Probably the worse curse word I ever used was Damn. It just isn't in me. When I use other curse words, it just feels strange to me so I don't use them much. I remember one time I was out walking and this kid was acting up and the parent blew up at him and used some of the dirtiest language I had ever heard directed at a child. It just made me sick. That's the way it is with some people I guess.

When you're rested up, perhaps you can explain to me. What specifically don't you understand? I told you why people find the words offensive, that it's standards set by society. You may not like the answer, but it is the answer.
OK. I'm not Ashlee, and I can only speak for myself, but this is the gist of what we're trying to say here.

We understand that society, in general, doesn't accept these words.

We understand that, in order to keep things running smoothly, it's best to just not use them around people who may not be comfortable with them.

What we don't understand is why, somewhere in history, these specific words became unacceptable, despite other words which mean the same thing being perfectly acceptable. I can't speak for her, but I've looked them up and researched them (once for a class, even), and I can't find anything that sets one bad word apart from a synonymous "good" word other than "it's just the way society is," which isn't a valid explanation because why is that "just the way society is?" There's a first time for everything, and unless people created these words for the sole purpose of them being taboo (which, from what I've read, isn't true), there has to have been a point in time where people began to stigmatize these words, and I'm curious to know why/when.

OK. I'm not Ashlee, and I can only speak for myself, but this is the gist of what we're trying to say here.

We understand that society, in general, doesn't accept these words.

We understand that, in order to keep things running smoothly, it's best to just not use them around people who may not be comfortable with them.

What we don't understand is why, somewhere in history, these specific words became unacceptable, despite other words which mean the same thing being perfectly acceptable. I can't speak for her, but I've looked them up and researched them (once for a class, even), and I can't find anything that sets one bad word apart from a synonymous "good" word other than "it's just the way society is," which isn't a valid explanation because why is that "just the way society is?" There's a first time for everything, and unless people created these words for the sole purpose of them being taboo (which, from what I've read, isn't true), there has to have been a point in time where people began to stigmatize these words, and I'm curious to know why/when.
That's it. That's all we're trying to say. I don't know why Janice keeps asking me what I'm trying to say when I'm clearly saying it a thousand times. My only answer is she isn't quite following what I'm saying. I don't mean that to put her down, I'm just saying she's looking at this on a different level than I am. People in this thread are getting their panties in a bunch as if this thread is political. I think that's enough to show people how much words affect us. What I want to know is...why? I mean why can't these people just sit back and ask "why does it hurt my ears when I hear this word as opposed to another word?" I don't understand why me questioning that is pissing people off so much.

Ashlee, you're not pissing anyone off, and nobody's panties are in a bunch. People are just giving their opinions. As far as this big question, this is it, the history of the words? Look deeper. I'm sure many papers, books and studies have been written on the history and psychology of profanity and its place in society. I just keyed in profanity on Amazon, and there were lots of books on the topic. It's been studied extensively in many sociology and psychology courses. Swears, like many words in our language, evolved over time to where they are today. Also, many words (not just swears) have other words that mean the same thing. Yeah, that's just the way it is, and the same can be said for lots of things. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

As far as words hurting ears, neither of you can understand that because it doesn't bother you. Just as people who don't like swearing can't relate to people who don't mind swearing. That's easy enough to understand, and nothing can change it. People feel the way they feel. It comes down to that thing I mentioned about this being a polite society. Look at this thread. Most people don't like swearing.

That's it. That's all we're trying to say. I don't know why Janice keeps asking me what I'm trying to say when I'm clearly saying it a thousand times. My only answer is she isn't quite following what I'm saying. I don't mean that to put her down, I'm just saying she's looking at this on a different level than I am. People in this thread are getting their panties in a bunch as if this thread is political. I think that's enough to show people how much words affect us. What I want to know is...why? I mean why can't these people just sit back and ask "why does it hurt my ears when I hear this word as opposed to another word?" I don't understand why me questioning that is pissing people off so much.

Honestly, I'm not sure that you are "just asking questions". It seems as if you've moved on and have come to some conclusions; namely, that swearing is at some level, at least, "OK".

And let me say up front that I think the basic premise of what you are saying is fine. It IS good to question tradition and authority. You SHOULDN'T agree with things just because they have always been done that way. That's part of being young and open minded and I like to think I was, and still am, that way.

But you can't stay in the 'questioning' mode forever. At some point, the theoretical has to be put into practice. For instance, you have to live among other people; work, be a social animal, interact in many different ways with others.

Given that, you have to realize that regardless of your feelings about the hypocrisy or absurdity of certain words being "taboo", OTHER people are offended by them. Now again, you aren't living your life for others, and you shouldn't cow tow to every one of society's whims. But societies are made up of all kinds of rules, many of which you are not going to agree with, but which you need to acknowledge, if you are going to have any respect for your fellow man. "Agreeing to disagree" seems to be about 90 percent of social interaction for me.

If you are with friends who are like minded, playing games, watching movies, drinking or chatting or whatever, I think there's no reason on Earth why you shouldn't be able to say anything you like. When you are in public, however, you have to realize that sometimes your feelings, logical though they may be, sometimes just DON'T matter, at least they don't matter enough to allow you to intentionally offend someone. Whether YOU think they should be offended doesn't matter; they are offended. And while there is no law that forces you to be polite and respectful, these are the kinds of personal politics that keep everyone from killing each other.

Example: Do I think adults should be free to purchase and view PLAYBOY magazine? Sure, why not? Do I think that same material should be placed in areas where children or ANYONE who might not want to see it might inadvertently see it? Absolutely NOT. In the case of kids, they are not ready for such material and should have a childhood that is truly a childhood, free of adult concerns and activities, and are not able to properly process the images they might encounter with such material. In the case of disapproving adults, their right to shop in an area that respects their moral and/or religious views should not be violated. So if you are a shop owner and you're going to sell PLAYBOY, you have the obligation to place that material where you know it will not needlessly offend people. Again, it doesn't matter whether you think they SHOULD be offended; you just have to respect that they ARE. That's what a society does. It honors the beliefs of everyone, and doesn't intentionally trample on anyone's sensibilities. Because somewhere down the line, everyone is going to be offended by something and the one you offend today may offend you tomorrow.

Society is a delicate balancing act, a dance where we all try to move in our own way and to our own rhythm, without stepping on the toes of those next to us or bouncing into them like a drunk gorilla.

JT and Pleasant Tomorrow, I admire your willingness to buck the trends and think for yourselves. We're all only here for a very, very short time and there's no point living your life as a sheep. But I do think we all have to remember that we're not just here by ourselves, but that we're part of a "flock", if you will. And the responsiblity that comes with the power of our personal freedom compels us to not use it like a blunt instrument; sometimes we can keep it sheathed. It's still there, at our disposal but we can choose to yield it or not.

There are situations that call for both.

Janice and retrolife (I'm not sure I know your name) thank you for finally giving me somewhat of an answer instead of saying "those who swear are fools" or something along those lines.

Janice...yeah I feel as though people are getting upset because instead of an answer, all I've gotten is something along the lines of "I can't believe you, society is awful, you lack class" etc. To me those are insults, and insults are the result of people upset. So that was my conclusion.

Retrolife...Yes, I've already said at some level it's okay. But I haven't come to any conclusion myself other than that in the past, as words formed and took on meaning, certain words took on a meaning that upset people because they reminded them of something bad. For example, "damn" reminds people of cursing someone to hell. Not a good thought. I understand that and I accept that. Words like "s**t" I'm not so sure of. Obviously it too took on some sort of meaning that upset people because it reminded them of something bad. What about that word reminded people? That I'm confused about. Like Janice said, I could read up on it...but since the issue came up in the thread, I'm asking here. Nobody could give an answer either because they didn't know themselves, or they didn't understand what I was saying and took it to mean that I'm a classless, don't give a damn, uneducated type of person.

Actually, I find that I'm in question mode and acceptance mode at the same time. As I've said many times before, I don't go around saying these words in front of people like it's my job unless, of course, it's friends and people who I know accept it. I regard my feelings for the sake of others because I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT OFFENDS PEOPLE. I even understand why to a certain extent. I've said that many times already. To be quite honest, I have a core question deep down I really can't even put words to at the moment.

Anyway, I thank you for understanding and being patient with me. You don't know how much I appreciate that. :)

Do I think adults should be free to purchase and view PLAYBOY magazine? Sure, why not? Do I think that same material should be placed in areas where children or ANYONE who might not want to see it might inadvertently see it? Absolutely NOT. I remember a time when those magazines were usually treated like any other magazine. Any kid can go to the magazine rack and leave the centerfolds open for everyone else to enjoy from a safe distance.

To the people who get offended by it, why do you?Are you offended by the anger it expresses, or are you conditioned just to feel that way or something?

By the way this topic came up twice today in my first day of the semester today:lol:.

Most people who posted why they were offended explained why.

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/F-Bomb2.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/F-Bomb2.jpg
:lol:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/F-Bomb2.jpg
:rofl::brent:clap:

boy, i shouldn't have come back here last night. just like ****ing a virgin, once ya pop ya can't stop.

anyway, here's my foul-mouthed self's point of view. cuss words are "bad", but only because they exist in an unbreakable cycle. i use them in excess around my friends and online, but if a complete stranger were to say the f-word to me in a brief personal exchange, i would be midly offended because they didn't consider whether or not i was ok with it before saying it. if i were an employer and i were interviewing a job candidate, and they swore during the interview, their chances of being hired would go way down because once again they're showing that they don't care. it also may indicate that they would use those words around customers while on the job, which would make our company look bad because it's impolite. thus, the disapproval i'm describing REINFORCES the lack of social acceptance of those words, which reinforces the disapproval of them, and so the cycle continues. the only way to break it would be to gather everyone on earth and make an agreement not to intend any harm with those words, which we can't do. and besides, if the phrase "**** you" became just as acceptable as "i wish misfortune upon you," it would no longer be as emphatic.


oh, ps: i learned the negative connotations of the words c__t, dick, and beaver from reading webster's encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language.
This post is too irrational to even try to reply to.

Most people who posted why they were offended explained why.

And it's a sad fact of modern society that it even has to be explained.

I don't even do it in private, so nope. The words just sound "icky" to me.

I don't usually get bothered by other people doing it, unless they go overboard or use God's name in vain. I just don't really see the point when words like "dang" are RIGHT there and sound less like you're trying to come off rebellious.

- as Kurt Vonnegut once said - swearing only gives people an excuse to not listen to what you have to say.

that being said, swearing doesn't bother or offend me at all but I tend to avoid it anyways.

This post is too irrational to even try to reply to.
how is it irrational? she's saying that swear words are considered bad because society considers them to be bad. are you denying that? :confused: i think everyone in this thread can agree on that.

I don't even do it in private, so nope. The words just sound "icky" to me.

I don't usually get bothered by other people doing it, unless they go overboard or use God's name in vain. I just don't really see the point when words like "dang" are RIGHT there and sound less like you're trying to come off rebellious.
Even though I'm agnostic, THAT'S the use I don't get, people who love/believe in God and say that.

Speaking of icky, what other words sound icky that isn't curse words to everybody?Bloke always sounded like some word that would be censored:lol:.

http://www.popeater.com/2010/01/05/kathy-griffin-banned-from-cnn/

Kathy Griffin Banned From CNN

Hopefully Kathy Griffin's New Year's resolution was to be on CNN less, because the foul-mouthed comedienne has lost her visitor's pass after dropping the f-bomb (http://www.popeater.com/2010/01/01/forget-the-ball-kathy-griffin-drops-f-bomb-on-new-years-specia/) on this year's show. Sorry Kathy, but we don't think Fox News will be knocking down your door now that you're available!

Kathy Griffin Banned From CNN

Following her very controversial F-bomb-dropping New Year's Eve hosting gig, CNN executives have decided Kathy Griffin will NOT be getting a 2011 invite. "She was a total embarrassment to the network that calls themselves 'The Most Trusted Name in News.' Even Anderson (Cooper, her co-host) thinks it's time to say goodbye to Kathy," a CNN insider tells me.

Not only did the potty-mouthed redhead drop the F bomb on live TV, she also made not-so-funny jokes about needing a "bump" of cocaine and asked Cooper if he pleasured himself while looking in the mirror. As sexy as the Silver Fox is ... that's just too much, Kathy. Even worse than the comedienne's desperate need to shock was the fact that the show was a ratings bomb, as it fell far behind the family-friendly 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' on ABC. Still, CNN publicist Shimrit Sheetrit tells me: "No decisions have been made yet regarding next year's show." CNN, I find it hard to believe that you have not yet made a decision regarding someone who drops the F bombs live on your network!!!

POLL

Kathy Griffin: Funny or foul?

Foul 84%
Funny 16%
------------------------------
Of course, who can forget Kathy Griffin's gem when she won an Emmy.

"I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus," "Suck it, Jesus, this award is my god now!"

I love Kathy. I read her book. All of my friends love her, too. Her act is based on being crazy like that. It's CNN's own fault for asking her, knowing how she is.

Interesting poll, because she's one of the best known popular stand-up comedy acts these days.

Most potty mouthed performers can keep it clean for one night. A few can't. Griffin should have known that her brand of humor wouldn't fly, and have the brains to tone it down. I remember when Whoppi Goldberg lost her Slim-Fast endorsement for making vulgar jokes about President Bush during a show at Radio City Music Hall. The majority of people don't like profanity.

Most potty mouthed performers can keep it clean for one night. A few can't. Griffin should have known that her brand of humor wouldn't fly, and have the brains to tone it down. I remember when Whoppi Goldberg lost her Slim-Fast endorsement for making vulgar jokes about President Bush during a show at Radio City Music Hall. The majority of people don't like profanity.
Oh well. The majority of people just have less things to laugh at, then.

Oh well. The majority of people just have less things to laugh at, then.
I don't need a swear to make me laugh. Leno, Conan, SNL, Dennis Miller, all funny and profanity free.

I don't need a swear to make me laugh. Leno, Conan, SNL, Dennis Miller, all funny and profanity free.
Oh I know, I understand that. Sometimes if people swear too much to be funny it's like...shut up I know what you're doing and it's not working. But imo, the more things you find funny, the better. I laugh at everything if it's done right.

Most potty mouthed performers can keep it clean for one night. A few can't. Griffin should have known that her brand of humor wouldn't fly, and have the brains to tone it down. I remember when Whoppi Goldberg lost her Slim-Fast endorsement for making vulgar jokes about President Bush during a show at Radio City Music Hall. The majority of people don't like profanity.
Now that you mention it, well-known celebrities like George Burns and Bob Hope didn't need to use vulgar words to get a laugh.

how is it irrational? she's saying that swear words are considered bad because society considers them to be bad. are you denying that? :confused: i think everyone in this thread can agree on that.
The way it was worded made it sound irrational.
That is true, though. Society does consider it to be bad as it should be.

POLL

Kathy Griffin: Funny or foul?

Foul 84%
Funny 16%
------------------------------

Wow, there is still some hope for society! :)

I don't need a swear to make me laugh. Leno, Conan, SNL, Dennis Miller, all funny and profanity free.
I find Leno rarely funny. SNL was sometimes funny, recently not funny, which seems to be the new funny these days. Conan and cast were sometimes very funny during Late Night, and sadly, Dennis Miller is never funny.

Wow, there is still some hope for society! :)
Yup! There's war, murder, molestation, burglary, rape, terrorism. But hey, if people find Kathy Griffin more offensive than funny, we're doing alright!

I don't need a swear to make me laugh. Leno, Conan, SNL, Dennis Miller, all funny and profanity free.

Exactly. People, movies, etc. can be funny without swear words. I enjoy shows, that contain no curse words. I agree, Leno, Conan, SNL etc. are funny.

Shows from the 80's such as Family Ties, Growing Pains, etc. didn't use curse words and those shows were great. There was very little use of curse words in Frasier (1993-2004). That show was great. I think if any of the three shows mentioned contained a bunch of swear words the quality of the shows would be much less, imo.

well most TV shows still dont really contain much swearing, since most swears aren't allowed on TV.

i do agree that comedy can certainly be successful without swearing. and it's true that some people use cursing over actual jokes to get laughs which is dumb. i'm not gonna freak out if there's a bad word here and there though. it would seem a little out of place on shows like Growing Pains and Family Ties though lol

well most TV shows still dont really contain much swearing, since most swears aren't allowed on TV.

i do agree that comedy can certainly be successful without swearing. and it's true that some people use cursing over actual jokes to get laughs which is dumb. i'm not gonna freak out if there's a bad word here and there though. it would seem a little out of place on shows like Growing Pains and Family Ties though lol

Michael J. Fox: What the ****?

Now I'd laugh hard at that, but only if he did it now in some skit:lol:.

The only positive I see in people not using it because of society is it keeps the generic mindset that it's actually badass to use the word (then again, society made it that way too).Oh well, nobody wins.

I always make it a point not to swear in public. :D

I admit I sometimes swear in public, like when I am around my friends, but I only do that around them.Ya thats how I am........

The other day I was visiting my friends recorsd store and he asked me where I grew up when I was younger...... I told him where I was born and all............

Then I told him about the friends I love who abandoned me cause I didnt get the shot and he had brought his son to work with him that day and he seems very nice also..... I asked him if he gave this garbage to him and he said "f no" .. So I know I can swear with him..........

Ya thats how I am........

The other day I was visiting my friends recorsd store and he asked me where I grew up when I was younger...... I told him where I was born and all............

Then I told him aboutn the friends I lovw who abandoned me cause I didnt get the shot and he had brought his son to work with him and he seems very nice..... I asked him if he gavw this garbage to him and he said "f no" .. So I know I can swear with him..........


Sounds like you met a Smart man, I come from a non cussing family life, so what little I do cuss now is late in life about the damage from surgery mostly.....and don't waste too much good oxygen on all the STUFF I can't change, but for myself....

Yea Carole I believe he is quite smart....... (But he said he did take 1 dose of this in 2020 (He hasnt taken anymore))

Please keep discussion free of politics. Dude, you know this is not the forum for that.

Now that you mention it, well-known celebrities like George Burns and Bob Hope didn't need to use vulgar words to get a laugh.

I remember seeing Steve Allen another man from the olden days, and he was taken back how current comic used vulgar in their stand up shows. But I don't swear for I believe it lowers your mentality. Every time I hear the P word- rhymes with Hiss all I think of is someone urinating.