# What the Hell? Middleborough MA proposes $20 fine for swearing **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 11, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805 "2012-06-11T12:51:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/21 "2012-06-12T00:09:29Z")
> [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I’m at the grocery store or whatever. It’s like, dude, there are kids here. Yeah, they need to learn those words they way I did: from my parents and grandparents. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/22 "2012-06-12T00:26:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yeah, they need to learn those words they way I did: from my parents and grandparents. 😃 +1 I swear around my kid all of the time. But I don’t do it at the grocery store! 😃 Also…I thought “vulgar” generally referred to things like, “Yeah, I’d hit them lady-bits!” or something? ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/23 "2012-06-12T00:42:21Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I support the shit out of this fuckin’ law. Hell YES mother fucker! About damn time! ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/24 "2012-06-12T00:45:19Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > …And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets … > …almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia… > > …All states I would never live in. Yup… I live in O-fuckin-hio ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/25 "2012-06-12T00:46:24Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Sure they’ll start out banning cursing in public, but before you know it you won’t even be able to curse at your [toilet](http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/realityzone/UFNjailtoilet.htm) in the privacy of your own hom. How sad is it that I knew what that was before I clicked on the link. Oh, sure I can remember that stupid news article, but can’t seem to find my keys in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/26 "2012-06-12T01:21:02Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Sure they’ll start out banning cursing in public, but before you know it you won’t even be able to curse at your [toilet](http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/realityzone/UFNjailtoilet.htm) in the privacy of your own hom. No fear. [Justice](http://www.aclupa.org/pressroom/judgefindsscrantonmomwhosw.htm) prevailed. > [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I’m at the grocery store or whatever. It’s like, dude, there are kids here. And they need to keep off of your lawn. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/27 "2012-06-12T01:50:18Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Who the fuck decides what is or isn’t vulgar language? Please, use appropriate language… What fucking asshole decides what the fuck is or what the fuck isn’t vulgar fucking language? See, that was’t hard, was it? 😃 Just someone wantin’ to make a name for himself ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/28 "2012-06-12T02:40:42Z")
That police chief sounds like a really big **CONT** rol freak. Maybe the residents should consider a trip to the Hoover **DAM to get away from it all, and eat some SHIITake mushrooms while they’re there. By the way, I have a nice COCKer spaniel for sale, if anyone’s interested. Do you know what they call the biggest PUSSYcat on the block? The alPHA C** at! And what do al **PHA C** ats like to eat? A **TIT** mouse! And when you play the piano really softly, it’s called **PIANISS** imo. Just some ideas for the civilly disobedient Middleburgesses out there! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/29 "2012-06-16T12:55:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Michigan had a similar law, and it was struck down about ten years ago. One difference is that the Michigan law was enacted late in the nineteenth century. I’m surprised they couldn’t invoke the obscenity exception. If it can exist for printed material, why not speech? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/30 "2012-06-16T15:33:49Z")
Because the use of bad words by itself isn’t obscene. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/31 "2012-06-16T15:45:01Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > _Allegedly_ it’s illegal to swear in Virginia, but if so, it’s _very_ selectively enforced. > [@Taomist](#): > > Yeah, I figured it was just a VBeach thing, and couldn’t believe there were actually signs up when I lived there. :eek: > > [http://images.travelpod.com/users/bashleyf/1.1214261700.no-cussingx-virginia-beach.jpg](http://images.travelpod.com/users/bashleyf/1.1214261700.no-cussingx-virginia-beach.jpg) > [@MacTech](#): > > …And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets … > …almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia… > > …All states I would never live in. **MacTech** add NannyGinia to your list. You’ve only got 43 left. ---
**Author:** ![gunnergoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e95f7d/32.png) [@gunnergoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunnergoz)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/32 "2012-06-16T15:47:07Z")
As a regular foul-mouth in private, I for one would welcome the return to civility in public discourse. I’m tired of hearing sub-teens yelling “f–k this” and “f–k that” everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/33 "2012-06-16T16:05:25Z")
Tough. My right to say what I like short of slander or incitement to violence supersedes your desire to have your delicate sensibilities defended by local government. No one has the right to never be offended. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/34 "2012-06-16T19:00:49Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > …And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets … > …almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia… > > …All states I would never live in. Don’t you live in New Hampshire? Until it was overturned in 1942, state law in New Hampshire said, “No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation.” If you’re deciding state residency based on the presence of over-reaching state laws, I think that you’re going to have a hard time finding one that’s never passed such laws. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/35 "2012-06-16T20:01:00Z")
> [@gunnergoz](#): > > As a regular foul-mouth in private, I for one would welcome the return to civility in public discourse. I’m tired of hearing sub-teens yelling “f–k this” and “f–k that” everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot. You probably wouldn’t have wanted to be around my grandmother, then. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/36 "2012-06-16T22:29:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Don’t you live in New Hampshire? Until it was overturned in 1942, state law in New Hampshire said, “No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation.” > > If you’re deciding state residency based on the presence of over-reaching state laws, I think that you’re going to have a hard time finding one that’s never passed such laws. Nope, I live in the free fucking state of fucking Maine! ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/37 "2012-06-17T00:22:53Z")
> [@gunnergoz](#): > > I’m tired of hearing sub-teens yelling “f–k this” and “f–k that” everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot. Ah, yes, the ever-present “you should know better” argument, wherein one skirts the burden of proof by immediately seizing moral high ground. > [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I’m at the grocery store or whatever. It’s like, dude, there are kids here. And they’re probably tired of smelly old people telling them what they can and can’t say in public. These old people today, man I tell ya, it’s like they have no concept of the right to be a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/38 "2012-06-17T02:13:48Z")
Vagina. ---
**Author:** ![gunnergoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e95f7d/32.png) [@gunnergoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunnergoz)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/39 "2012-06-17T17:40:07Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > You probably wouldn’t have wanted to be around my grandmother, then. Twenty plus years in law enforcement and 6 years in the military and I’ve heard it all (and probably said it all myself). I just don’t appreciate it in public, where there are polite people and especially children around. There is a time and place for it but not in general public IMO. ---
**Author:** ![gunnergoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e95f7d/32.png) [@gunnergoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunnergoz)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805/40 "2012-06-17T17:42:10Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Ah, yes, the ever-present “you should know better” argument, wherein one skirts the burden of proof by immediately seizing moral high ground. > > And they’re probably tired of smelly old people telling them what they can and can’t say in public. These old people today, man I tell ya, it’s like they have no concept of the right to be a dick. As if the current generation of young people invented youthful rebellion. It is tiresome to endure, no matter which generation is going through that phase. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-middleborough-ma-proposes-20-fine-for-swearing/624805.md?page=3)