What's the point of bleeping bad words?

Great Debates
21

Quote of a quote: “If certain words make you
uncomfortable, and if you avoid or proscribe those words, you are singling them out and giving them special power–power beyond that of other words, which are merely symbols which convey particular ideas.”

And this doesn’t seem “chicken-eggie” to you?

Nothing personal to Puffington - I’m using YOU in it’s plural form, as in Ya’ll.

Why use those words if they don’t have “special power” even “son-of-a-bitch” usually doesn’t mean that your parents’ marriage is in question. They become more than symbols about your parents’ marriage are supposed to invoke an angry response.

All words have a proper context, giving all words to babies before they can identify the correct context is not going to put them at advantage with their peers or in favor with adults. Most of us will learn lots and lots of words eventually and will learn how to use them in context.

Come to think of it - David B, God of this forum, wanted to go in and discuss a problem re: his child’s education with the principal and IIRC wanted to approach the problem with WTF or a near equivalent. He didn’t. I’m sure he chose words more suitable for the context.

Let me see if I can find the cite.

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

22

http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000769.html

Eh? Close. Notice David B would have spoken out of his child’s earshot.

23

Jois, you make a good point.

Earlier in Pinkwater’s not-very-well-organized mini-rant he mentions how he used naughty words to establish a character. All writers have regard for the power of words in context.

I think your quote of a quote of a quote was touching more on the idea of reviling all naughty words automatically, without regard to context.

24

My favorite quote in context, so to speak, is one I heard on TV saying that the last words heard on airplane crashes’ black boxes usually is, “Oh, shit.” I think that would also apply to the last words spoken in most car crashes, most bike accidents, hammer on thumb accidents and so on.

To me there has to be context, purpose and the willingness to accept the responsibility for what you verbalize.

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