# What are the rules around the F-bomb? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 21, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279 "2017-11-21T14:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/1 "2017-11-21T14:19:12Z")
I know we have some convoluted rules around use of the F-bomb but I’m not sure what they are. I just want to know whether and where I can use the word ‘fucking’ as an intensifier, not as an insult or anything. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/2 "2017-11-21T15:32:23Z")
IANAM(od), but as far as I know, such usage is perfectly legal, regardless of the forum. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/3 "2017-11-21T15:45:23Z")
“Fuck this shit.” - perfectly fine “Fuck you.” - do not use “Fuck Trump/Hillary/Col. Sanders” - also fine ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/4 "2017-11-21T15:53:19Z")
A few caveats: You should probably keep it out of thread titles. And “Fuck Trump/Hillary” would only be acceptable in GD, Elections, or the Pit, but that’s not because of the “fuck”, but because it’s a political potshot. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/5 "2017-11-21T16:14:56Z")
There’s no specific rule against using the word “fuck”. Use of the word could speak to other things that may result in moderation. For example, heavy usage could be indicative of a rant and threads may be directed to the proper forum. If directed at other posters it could be indicative of personal insults. Each is case by case and context dependent. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/6 "2017-11-21T16:28:27Z")
I know calling someone a “stupid motherfucker” seven times each and every sentence will get you modded for spam … even in the Pit … ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/7 "2017-11-21T16:41:24Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I know we have some convoluted rules around use of the F-bomb but I’m not sure what they are. I just want to know whether and where I can use the word ‘fucking’ as an intensifier, not as an insult or anything. I generally use it when I get riled during a debate or just trying to convey some heat and haven’t ever been modded on it. Of course, if you say something like ‘fuck you’ or ‘you are a mother fucker’ or the like you will get modded and probably have your warning count go up. Don’t use it in a thread title either, as I’ve seen that kicked back. Other than that, I think you’ll be ok with the occasional use. Moderation (so to speak) is the key. Use this tool wisely… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/8 "2017-11-21T20:34:54Z")
You can’t say “Fuck you” in the Pit, but **Miller** doesn’t usually give out warnings for doing so. You’ll get a polite note that it’s against the rules and to please not do it again. And while you can’t tell someone to go fuck themselves, you can tell them to fuck a cactus. Also, while “Fuck off and die” is unacceptable, because of the rules against wishing death on someone, “Fuck off” is perfectly fine. The only warnings I’ve seen in the Pit have been for hate speech. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/9 "2017-11-22T02:27:26Z")
I won’t lie, I’d prefer not to see it in Great Debates and Elections because I think it detracts from civil discussion - learn to be creative in your writing, people - I wouldn’t usually think of sanctioning someone for it. Where I would is if one makes it personal and uses it as an insult direct or such. That’ll draw some consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/10 "2017-11-22T04:55:15Z")
Can we say, “Fuck Hugh!” in regards to Mr. Grant? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/11 "2017-11-22T06:48:45Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Can we say, “Fuck Hugh!” in regards to Mr. Grant? Only if he rides on a horse. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/12 "2017-11-22T13:00:26Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Where I would is if one makes it personal and uses it as an insult direct or such. That’ll draw some consideration. To clarify… ALL personal insults are violations, right? So obviously calling someone ‘fucking stupid’ or ‘fucking liar’ is a violation because ‘stupid’ and ‘liar’ are violations. I would like this to be very clear, because I don’t wan’t to transgress some invisible ‘consideration’ line with a term that isn’t against the rules, and has been clarified as being OK. Insults are insults, the term ‘fucking’ should be OK (albeit, maybe a red flag that other violations are in the mix). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/13 "2017-11-22T19:38:12Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > To clarify… ALL personal insults are violations, right? So obviously calling someone ‘fucking stupid’ or ‘fucking liar’ is a violation because ‘stupid’ and ‘liar’ are violations. > > I would like this to be very clear, because I don’t wan’t to transgress some invisible ‘consideration’ line with a term that isn’t against the rules, and has been clarified as being OK. Insults are insults, the term ‘fucking’ should be OK (albeit, maybe a red flag that other violations are in the mix). They’re only violations outside of the BBQ Pit. Insults are allowed inside the Pit with a few exceptions that are outlined in one of the stickies. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/14 "2017-11-23T05:57:55Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Only if he rides on a horse. Fuck Hugh! ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/15 "2017-11-23T06:00:37Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > To clarify… ALL personal insults are violations, right? So obviously calling someone ‘fucking stupid’ or ‘fucking liar’ is a violation because ‘stupid’ and ‘liar’ are violations. Personal insults are not permitted outside the Pit. From the sticky in GD and Elections: > [@](#): > > **Attack the post, not the poster** - Posters may not directly insult or personally attack other posters. The general rule is to attack the other poster’s arguments, rather than the other poster him- or herself. This rule applies to all insults, including jokes and quotes from books & movies, as others may not get the joke. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-rules-around-the-f-bomb/802279/16 "2017-11-23T06:21:17Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Fuck Hugh! And the horse he rode in on. 😃