Are you offended by "bad words" What about "f***"?

In My Humble Opinion
41

I never cuss. ‘Drat’ is my strongest word. My family and friends pretty much don’t cuss either. It’s considered vulgar and ugly.

I can’t say that I’m actively offended by adults who cuss in the company of other adults–it’s too common and I’ve become somewhat inured–but I’m certainly not favorably impressed by it. It doesn’t give me a good impression of intelligence or good communication. It grates on me, at any rate, and isn’t that what it’s supposed to do? Using words that are known to be offensive and then claiming that it’s my problem when I don’t enjoy it is ridiculous; if you didn’t want to offend someone, you’d find different words to use than offensive ones.

Kids cursing, or adults using awful language in front of kids, that does offend me. A lot.

Racial language or sexual cussing is also offensive, naturally. (Once in college, my then-bf called me a b**** in jest. He learned never to do that again, let me tell you. And the reason I use asterisks is that I don’t say those words in real life, and I won’t write them either.)

I like life to be as pleasant and civil as possible. People who cuss a lot are purposely making the environment vulgar, depressing, rude, degrading, and showing off their lack of imagination. Why make the world uglier than it already is, on purpose?

42

I was raised in a fundamentalist “Church of Christ” household and was taught never to swear-- it was one of those things you just were not supposed to do! I never use such languge myself, but some of my friends and colleagues do so on occasion. (Not regularly, though!) It bothers me a bit to hear such words, but not that much-- I am not going to get on any one’s case for swearing unless it is excessive. I would, however, ask someone to stop swearing/cursing in front of my niece and nephew (ages nine and thirteen).

43

bolding mine. I don’t think that your converse was necessarily “immature”, but the so called “offendarati” has just as much right to his/her feelings on the subject as you do.

Now see, THAT kind of attitude is really petty, IMHO. Exactly what is so "mature’ and “adult” about not being offended by language? Whether it be that a person asks you not to say certain things around them, to not wanting to hear crude jokes?

Different point of view, that doesn’t agree with YOURS regarding swearing, certainly. And you have a right to not agree with it. But to label their feelings on the subject as somehow “not being adult” is just silly.

This wasn’t directed JUST at you, but at people who consider those who dislike swearing as being “not as respectable” or “less mature” and all that rot.

44

I’d like to start by recommending a book: Blue Streak:Swearing, Free Speech, and Sexual Harassment, by Richard Dooling. It’s a phenomenal – and often quite funny – book about language hang-ups. The next time I read it I’m going to make notes, because I frequently find myself wanting to quote it without having the time to look up the specific quote I have in mind.

To address the OP, swearing doesn’t bother me. I’ve found that I don’t swear as often now (in my 30s) as I did in college, but I definitely still do it. (When I started at my current job, I asked my officemate if she minded me swearing from time to time…I’m glad she said “no.” ;)) Like most other folks who have posted on this thread, someone else swearing only bothers me if they’re being a complete jerk about it (swearing around someone they know is offended by ‘coarse language,’ being very loud, swearing around kids, etc.).

People who are offended by swearing don’t bother me, either. Everyone’s entitled to their own sensitivities, and I don’t swear often enough to have trouble not doing so around certain people after I know their preference. Besides, to do otherwise would just be rude.

Regarding ethnic slurs and the like: I have no use for them. I don’t believe I have ever spoken the word “nigger,” but I’m (obviously) not averse to typing it and I wouldn’t hesitate to say it in the context of a discussion like this one. I don’t see how anyone’s race or ethnic origin can possibly be insulting – if I feel the need to call someone a name I’ll use one that impugns his character, not his ancestry.

I think the only thing I ever deliberately refrain from saying is “go to hell.” Originally my reason was twofold: my father used to say it to my mother quite frequently, and I also believed in hell and the idea of being able to damn another person. These days I no longer believe in hell, but I know that many other people do, and I think that phrase is just…I don’t know…thoughtless, maybe? Anyway, I’d much rather just tell someone to fuck off.

Last, but not least, the ‘body part’ words: I don’t think I’ve ever called anyone a cunt, but I don’t mind the word. I think I’ve used most of the other words in this category at least once. {grin}

45

This was addressed in the comic strip Foxtrot. #@&! is pronounced like “poundsignatsignampersandexclamationmark” and “$#*^%” is “dollarsignpoundsignasteriskcaretpercentagesign.” Obviously. :rolleyes: :wink:

Reminds me of this poem…

46

I actually used to say ‘shit’ a lot, when banging my head, or dropping something. It is, ofcourse, not a Dutch word and I was highly surprised when an American woman told me it is a very vulgar word. She uses ‘shoot’ instead. I try to follow her example. :slight_smile:

I’m not offended by curse words. When a post is full of curse words, I merely think the poster isn’t an adult.

47

Hahahahahaha :slight_smile:

Thanks, TJdude825

48

I’m not offended by swearing in just about any context. I find those rap songs laden with cursing somewhat amusing, if the truth be told. I’m not particularly concerned that people might find me vulgar or ignorant sounding if they hear the extent of my cussing - I swear most when I’m playing video games, and if you’re sitting there watching me beat the stuffing out of an opponent on a fighting game, you may well have already formed some opinion of my personality.

In general I see swearing as one of many tools of this rich and lovely language, and I can be a little intolerant of people who object to me using all the tools at my disposal. On the other hand, I do know how to comport myself among people who are likely to find coarse language offensive, and am as prim as an old maid in said situations. There are times and places to use the entirety of one’s rich colloquial vocabulary, and times and places where it would only serve to cause unnecessary grievance.

49

That reminds me of when my family moved to England, and my brother (who was about 10 years old at the time) would get laughed at for using the American insult “jerk.” That word means absolutely nothing on the other side of the pond (or at least, it didn’t in Yorkshire 20+ years ago), and is actually very weird-sounding. :slight_smile:

Likewise, shortly after our return to the states I got pissed off at a friend and gave them the ol’ double-finger salute…and got a smile and a peace sign in return. :smack:

Translations are a bitch… :wink:

50

I am not offended by bad words, I use quite a few myself. I don’t use racial ones, unless I am ignorant of their origin, like “gyp” which is currently being expunged from my vocab (and any one I hear using it around me) thanks to the SDMB.

One word that I have finally ridded myself of was “cocksucker” usually used when I dropped something heavy on one (or more) of my feet. It is not an offensive word, in fact, as I tell my wife often, it should be celebrated. Even tattooed on all those that perform that most wonderful of services. IMO it is not a disparagement to gay men, or straight women, it was just a word that fits some how. If anybody here knows a little low-German there are tons of words in that dialect that are great sounding curse words but mean things like “hit”, “pole”, “thousand”.

Since it is offensive to others because of disparaging usage it should be won back, just like cunt, or pussy should be. Those words represent all that is great and fantastic about life and should not be used as insults. The best way to win back those words is to retort to being called a pussy or cunt is you are what you eat. Being a straight male, I can’t really use that defense against being called a prick, but fuck it, I am rambling here.

In summary, offended? Fuck no.

51

The way you are supposed to do it is repeat with out the curse. If you keep it up then pretty soon they think they are going crazy and hearing things.

I always pick and choose when and where I curse. I have never cursed in front of my mother. Probably never will. In other situations I use it as punctuation. I always consider who I am with or where I am before I curse. Anything else would be very rude.

52

I’ve sworn plenty, but have worked myself out of the habit. And I mostly tolerate those words.

But I understand StGermain’s father, who told the moving company to substitute someone for the man who was swearing in front of the his wife. There’s a respect issue there, actually a boundaries issue. Not to mention the lack-of-judgment issue.

You could read the swearing as a test for what he could get away with, to be followed shortly by broken or disappearing items, or a no-show-as-scheduled. Sure StG Sr didn’t know that for sure, but he was entitled to call it at that point.

Another issue is that swearing is a symbolic violence or violation. It is way better than using actual violence. But why use it constantly?

And another is, for those that swear routinely, how do you express yourself or emphasize the situation when something extreme does come along? Real question --anyone?