Is Swearing a Vice?

[HudsonHawk]

Only if the individual is not well versed at it. Otherwise, it's an art form.

I had a literature professor in college who argued that swearing was one of the most effective forms of communicating, especially in written form. The problem, he reasoned, is that people are just generally really bad at it.

 

[3fingers]

I found that "regular swear mode" makes me look less intelligent than I really am

I would agree with this. When I was young, I worked for a man who could not utter a sentence without multiple expletives in it. Over the years I was with him, it rubbed off on me and I still struggle with it, even though I have consciously developed a good vocabulary. It has a place I suppose, but in normal conversation there isn't a need for it and in excess it leaves the impression of a shallow mind.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember. You can't run an army without profanity; and it has to be eloquent profanity. An army without profanity couldn't fight its way out of a piss-soaked paper bag. ... As for the types of comments I make, sometimes I just, By God, get carried away with my own eloquence."
...George S. Patton

 

[Zombie_61]

A catholic priest, of all people, once told me that the 'F' word was an acronym. Back in medieval times, adultery was against the law. Those guilty of this henious crime were known to be: Found Under Carnal Knowledge.
Whether that definition is true or not, I've no idea, couldn't be ***** to look it up...

It's not true. It comes, like many English words, as a corruption of old German or Dutch words with similar meaning. The acronym theory makes a good story, though.

These are both common theories, among others, regarding of the origin of the "F word". But according to a documentary I saw last year, the true origin of the word is unknown.

 

[HudsonHawk]

These are both common theories, among others, regarding of the origin of the "F word". But according to a documentary I saw last year, the true origin of the word is unknown.

There's a documentary on the origin of the F word?

 

[Zombie_61]

There's a documentary on the origin of the F word?

F**K (2005). It's actually more of an "overview" and examination of the word, it's usage, it's effect on society in general, and so on. I found it humorous and interesting, but it's definitely not for those who find such language offensive.

 

[Benny Holiday]

I find it interesting that certain words are today considered swearing, when 800 or 900 years ago they were in common usage. Read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales for instance. I know that the word considered most vulgar in today's English was once a commonly used word that eventually fell out of favour, and simply became old-fashioned. It was revived in Shakespeare's day and had a saucy, cheeky use then, and from there somehow became a term of vulgarity. It's interesting how language develops.

 

[Nobert]

I had a literature professor in college who argued that swearing was one of the most effective forms of communicating, especially in written form. The problem, he reasoned, is that people are just generally really bad at it.

Another Mark Twain reference on the subject. Once, Twain's wife, fed up with his constant profanity, decided to give him a taste of what it sounded like, and let out a string of epithets at him. He responded, "The words are there my dear, but the music is lacking" (or something like that).

I probably use casual profanity no more or less than the average person. Less in mixed company and more when I'm grumpy. I'm more judicious with it when writing--even on internet message boards. I can't stand things like stand-up comedians who let loose a torrent of verbal sewage in the belief that it makes everything funnier.

A good, short video on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7dQh8u4Hc&feature=c4-overview&list=UU6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA

 

[Dragon Soldier]

My vocabulary is fairly extensive, but when I want someone to f**k off, I want them to f**k off, I do not want them to go away.

 

[Zombie_61]

...I probably use casual profanity no more or less than the average person. Less in mixed company and more when I'm grumpy. I'm more judicious with it when writing--even on internet message boards...

You've described my usage of "foul" language fairly well here. Around certain people I know it's okay and acceptable, but I still use it casually and judiciously unless I'm really angry at which time the verbal gloves tend to come off. Most of the forums I frequent are "family friendly", so I've gotten into the habit of refraining from using certain words regardless of which forum I'm on at any given moment. When in doubt, restraint is key regardless of the circumstances.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I find it interesting that certain words are today considered swearing, when 800 or 900 years ago they were in common usage. Read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales for instance. I know that the word considered most vulgar in today's English was once a commonly used word that eventually fell out of favour, and simply became old-fashioned. It was revived in Shakespeare's day and had a saucy, cheeky use then, and from there somehow became a term of vulgarity. It's interesting how language develops.

I upset my Sunday School teacher once by asking her what was meant in the books of Kings when it said that "him that pisseth against a wall" should be cut off. If that was true, I knew some fourth-grade boys who were in big trouble.

 

[Benny Holiday]

I upset my Sunday School teacher once by asking her what was meant in the books of Kings when it said that "him that pisseth against a wall" should be cut off. If that was true, I knew some fourth-grade boys who were in big trouble.

A fine example right there! I remember a similar experience in ninth or tenth grade English class when my class read the Wyf of Bathe's recollection of one of her former husbands who, when drunk, wandered outside a tavern and 'pissed on a wal.' Every kid in the classroom wanted to know what it meant. The teacher replied "simply as it reads." Had we used the same language in the playground, it would've been detention for us!

 

[Jennifer Hebert]

If you cuss often enough that you have trouble speaking without it (around kids, church, etc.), then that's something you should work on. Other then that, words are just words. Sometimes the best way to get your point across is to use a swear word. That said, I've always tried to be more creative with my language.

Of course, my grandmother was renowned for her ability to berate you to hell and back in such a way that you thanked her and didn't realize you'd been insulted until she was long gone. I aspire to someday reach those heights of vocabulary and wit!

 

[GHT]

Back in the 1960's, I started work in an area of East London, that had a large Jewish community. One of our customers, a guy who called himself Solly with the Lolly. (it means cash) Whenever the subject of samples came up, Solly would always throw up his hands in mock pain. "Free?" He would screech, "that's a four letter word beginning with 'F.' "

 

[newsman]

Not sure it's really a vice. But at the same time it can be an art form.

I gave it up for Lent last year and it was very hard to do. I'm good at it and I enjoy it.

-newsman-

 

[Stearmen]

My substitute swear word these days is, "son of a buck." I always get a laugh when I say that, even from elderly ladies! It also makes me fill better if, for instance, I have just hit my thumb with a hammer. Makes me know how dumb I was.

 

[GHT]

If you describe heavy rain as: "Persisting it down," you get a few double takes.

 

[Horace Debussy Jones]

This reminds me of that George Carlin bit about the 7 words that can't be used on television. "They're just words,...."
Judicious usage of certain words is probably inevitable for most people these days, for emphasis in certain situations.
However, using such language continually in every sentence makes the speaker look less than intelligent to say the least.
I had this friend, who was not dumb by any means, but he had the habit of using profanity about every other word. As in, "I went to the F-en store and this F-en guy F-en this,"..etc. Along with even worse epithets I will not illustrate here.
He was a very angry and frustrated individual, and I no longer even consider him a friend. So in some cases, I think it is a vice, if it completely insults and alienates the speaker's audience.

 

[scotrace]

I've just completed a three year run of working with all women, most of them Mennonite. One had to watch one's mouth every moment. During the twenty-below weather we've had this winter, it was very, very difficult to contain a good expletive or six.

 

[skydog757]

I think it all goes back to knowing your audience and the environment you find yourself in. Stores, restaurants and other businesses have the right to refuse service to people who swear or curse (even if it is in the course of casual conversation in too loud a manner), although usually they are just told to "quiet down". In certain areas there are ordinances which make it a misdemeanor to curse in public particularly in the presence of children. Yes, you have a right to free speech but others have a right to not allow you to subject their children to profanity.

Personally, swearing doesn't offend me in conversation, but I have seen a number of social functions (weddings, holidays) virtually ruined or at least become very uncomfortable because people don't know how to conduct themselves properly.