Have you noticed an increase or a decrease in the use of profane language, also known as cuss words, on the SDMB since starting the forum back in 1973.
When is the 40th anniversary by the way?
2039
You don’t really think this internet message board (Straight Dope Message Board) started in 1973, do you?
Maybe it was, but with very few members.
ETA: That should be fucking members.
Why not? Cracked.com is “America’s Only Humor Site Since 1958”, after all.
1958? Doesn’t that, like, predate electricity???
I’m pretty sure that Benjamin Franklin first created electricity at the 1902 World’s Fair in Poughkeepsie, NY. I remember learning about it in school, how he used balloons to make toast.
No, of course not, but 1973 is on the header and it is 40 years later … why not celibrate?
Is that a party without sex?
Why could they track the incidence of cuss words since 1973 if you knew they didn’t start in 1973, then what were you asking? I’m curious!
I haven’t noticed any kind of trend in the time I’ve been here.
The actual anniversary of the first columnwas last Groundhog Day. Unfortunately it seems you missed the anniversary events.
It was a blast. We threw virtual confetti.
Cuss words are like emoticons. They should be used sparingly. There are times that a colorful adjective is needed. You can only express a certain level of frustration with darn and dickens. If I’m discussing a driver that cut people off and nearly caused a wreck, then the F word gets the point across.
How many free LPs did youse guys give away?
So that’s what those mysterious “cuss words” are that I’ve been hearing about. Thanks for fighting ignorance.
The opposite of this.
Hmm. Let’s try it out.
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. :)”
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. Fucker.”
Well, I’ll be damned. They are the same!
Well what about profound language?
You want us to celebrate celibacy??
It’s ok, they got it wrong in the bible too.
Well what about propane language? :
“You called in a fake propane emergency? That’s a $50 fine after I report it.”
Once for 2 minutes in 1987, there was a dramatic spike in the profane but it was eventually countered by a massive insurgence of antifane.
You’re lucky you missed the prophase era! Fucking mitosis bastards!