What's the point of bleeping bad words?

Suppose I was on TV. I could say ‘pussywillow’ but I couldn’t say ‘pussy.’ I could say ‘ass’ and I could say ‘hole,’ but I couldn’t say ‘asshole.’

Is there anyone who is really, truly offended by dirty words? And who exactly are we trying to protect from these words? I knew every damn one of them when I was 6 years old and I’m sure most of you did too! Even if we could protect kids from dirty words, what the hell good would that do? Is there any research that suggests that exposure to those 7 horrible words will make a kid turn out screwy in the head?

If it’s about the mental images these words conjur, well then why can I say “rotting, filthy, maggot-infested, gangrenous, festering, oozing, severed penis” and not “fuck?” I’d much rather hear the latter.

I would venture to say that yes, some people are offended by those words, and wish not to hear them. As it stands, the airwaves are public domain, and, in the interest of those who do not wish to hear swearing, broadcasts should not have profanity. For the rest, those that don’t mind, they can swear all they want at home.

Simple, I should think, but I might not be thinking this through.


I sold my soul to Satan for a dollar. I got it in the mail.

Hey, no problem - just get cable. Those stations are a lot looser in terms of vocabulary than the traditional networks are. I think I’ve heard every word you mentioned - and quite a few juicier ones - on HBO’s “Sopranos”.

They said “oozing, severed penis” on The Sopranos?!

Which episode?

You’re right, I don’t think I’ve ever heard that phrase used specifically on the Sopranos. I believe they’ve discussed the topic in question, but using much more colorful language :slight_smile:

And to continue on the OP, you can prick your finger, but don’t ever finger your prick! (Carlin)

Actually, I am all for having a few words which you cannot say on radio and TV. The reason is for kids who might be watching, and the implementation of wwhat you can and cannot say is somewhat enforced by the time of day things are happening. You can get away with a lot more on HBO at 3AM than you can at 11AM on Saturday network programming.

Also, using the words takes the power away from them. And while that may be a good thing, I’d still like the rare time I need call someone a “motherfucker” to have it MEAN something.

Disgression is the beter part of valor…


Yer pal,
Satan

Yes, but why is “crap” okay, but “shit” wrong? And I agree, what’s the point of keeping children from hearing words on certain TV channels that they hear on cable channels and everywhere else. Or what’s the point of keeping children from hearing, eg. the word “shit” at all, and have them call excrement by some other childish word (probably not excrement either). Btw, the U.S. (and maybe some other English-speaking countries to a lesser extent) seems to be alone in this matter. In Germany, for example, the corresponding words “Scheiße” and “ficken” are certainly not bleeped out of television and radio.

Has anyone ever heard the word “poop” on TV? I don’t mean Mary Tyler Moore calling Ed Asner a big poop, but a TV mom saying there’s dog poop on the rug, or Junior pooped his pants.

Seems poop is a no-no too.

Personally, I don’t like the word “shit”. I say it plenty, but always feel a bit no-class when I do, and I’m always nonplussed and maybe a bit disappointed when I hear someone else say it. It’s much worse than fuck, in my ears anyway.

I’m all for keeping these words from widespread use on TV – not because I’m a prude, but because I’d like to see more creative speech and dialogue generally, and using less slang of any kind would help.

But who is to decide what speech is creative and what isn’t? It’s all in the ear of the listener, isn’t it? I would have no problem with, say, a radio station that has a rule about saying bad words, but there is an FCC regulation on the books to prevent it. Isn’t this a free speech issue?

So what if kids are watching? They’re just words! Whether those words are polite or not is a matter of opinion. Do we need to legislate politeness?

In a similar vein, there’s now a law on the books here in Louisiana requiring schoolkids to call their teachers “ma’am” and “sir” in some bizarre, misguided attempt to make them behave better.
Ridiculous…


In the manned space program’s early days, NASA spent $1 million
to develop a pen that wrote upside down. The Russians used a pencil.

If you want to hear everything, get a video.

The word “effing” is very prevalent on the radio. I can’t figure out why that and “ahole” are tolerated and what they very obviously stand for are forbidden or at least frowned upon. Most likely we are in a period of transition concerning what is acceptable. Such contradictions would be understandable until standards are again reset.

puffington,
Why do you call them “bad” words?

Even while you pose the question you have already passed judgement.

My elders like to talk about the 60s when they were pushing the envelope for freedom of speech in the press, in campus magazines and publications and public speech as well. But they’d be the first ones to cover our ears if they thought something too ripe was about to be let loose.

The moment of change seems to be when the speakers take note of their children perking up when they hear “bad words” or even funnier (to me as an observer) when they hear one of their own little darlings spout off a ripe one.

And to the parents who are called into school to discuss little John’s colorful language-- well, those are remorseful parents.

So what is the purpose of adult cussing?

If it is to make a point in an argument? Is it helpful?

Does it make the fender bender on the highway easier to handle? Help people calm down and take care of those who are injured and the necessary exchange of paperwork and get the cars over to the side and away from oncoming traffic?

What’s the point in having those “bad” words there in the first place?


Oh, I’m gonna keep using these #%@&* codes 'til I get 'em right.

What I found absolutely absurd were issues of Newsweek that discussed in detail just what President Clinton and Monica Lewinski did together but used the word “f*ck” instead of “fuck”.

They’re just words. Words like any others. Any feelings you attach to them are your problem, not mine.

Quote: “They’re just words. Words like any others. Any feelings you attach to them are your problem, not mine.”

So if you have no feelings about these “bad words” why use them? If they aren’t to inflame, astonish, admonish, shock, be-little, well, what are they for…?

That is supposed to be the very basis for the first usages of “bad words” - you get a rise from your parents - they take notice of what you say and often in a big way. The only reason your parents or teachers or companions react to “bad words” is because those words evoke feelings.

Saying, “Any feelings you attach to them are your problem, not mine.” is kind of a cop-out, isn’t it? You are saying you’re not responsible for the words that come out of your mouth?


Oh, I’m gonna keep using these #%@&* codes 'til I get 'em right.

Their purpose is to be words. When I say something is very big instead of just saying it’s big, very is meant to emphasize the adjective, not to “astonish.” Similarly, if I say something is fucking big, I’m emphasizing it a little bit more. If I decide the word “very” is offensive to me, will they take it off the air?

How can four little letters shock you? You’ve heard it 10,000 times before! You’re not desensitized yet? Perhaps if nobody had scolded you about it when you were a child, these words wouldn’t cause you any pain.

The reason this whole thing pisses me off is that some of the songs I like have so-called bad words in them. When played on radio or MTV(or the MTV of 10 years ago that played videos), those bad words are censored out. I don’t like that. It fucks up the continuity of the song.

People get offended too damn easily. All I’m saying is that it takes a whole helluva lot more than 4 letters to get me riled up!

I dunno, puffington, seems you’re riled up plenty! :wink:

The author and NPR commentator Daniel Pinkwater postee a related thought on his own message board. In response to a fan’s complaint about Pink’s most recent book:

the man had this to say:

In my mind, the only reason to avoid cussin’ is to avoid offending people who don’t like it. If you are unconcerned about the tender sensibilities of your neighbors, then you should feel free to do blue.

Posted. I would hate to be a postee. It would probably sting.

There was an episode of “Stark Raving Mad” where the host of a party had a heavy “European” accent. He had a conversation with Maddie where several key words sounded like something that should’ve been bleeped, but weren’t. E.g., “teeths” sounded like “tits”, “open your eyes” became “open your ass”.

I was rolling, and sadly hadn’t taped it. I think it was their 6th episode titled “Fish Out of Water”. I hope to catch it on reruns to see if it was as funny as I remember.


The word is no. I am therefore going anyway.