I have been wondering this for a long time, and have been meaning to ask the question... What makes bad words “bad”, when a different form of the same word is totally acceptable?

For example, the word “$hit” is frowned upon in most circumstances, but you could substitute the word “feces”, “crap”, or “poop” and be perfectly fine! Then of course there is the mother of all bad words... the “f-word”. If you said “sex” or “fornicate” or “coitus” or something like that, you would get away with it... but drop the f-bomb, either verbally or in writing, and it’s a whole new ballgame, even though the meaning is exactly the same!

So, what is it with these... ummm... special words, that makes them so “offensive” to people? I’d really like to know because I just don’t understand it myself... Thanks!

I had a whole discussion on this with a friend of mine.
He is super religious.
I am not religious at all.

The discussion started due to my common use of the f-bomb.
He objected to it on religious grounds.
So I made him stop and consider the difference between a profanity vs a vulgarity.

Example: "damn" or "dammit" is very common and widely accepted.
However it is way worse from a religious point of view than pretty much anything else out there.
You're stating your wish for someone or something to be damned (go to hell).
Generally frowned upon in religious circles.

Now take the word "fuck". As stated above... it's merely a slang term for sex.
However in today's society... it is the mother of all bad words.

Well, it depends on the audience. I try not to say lots of words in the company of children.

There are some I dont' use in the company of women.

But when it REALLY comes down to it... If in the company of adults... I don't REALLY care. I expect adults to be adults and not need "trigger warnings."

That said, overuse of profanity seems often appears to be a sign of lack of or little education.

Proper cursing can add to a point by showing strong or exceptional meaning.

Overusing it just shows a lack of class or education...

Or, as one of my favorite quotes goes... "Profanity is the crutch of the inarticulate motherfucker..."

Talk is cheap.

Context is important.

What is behind the words is expensive, but the price scale isn't exactly fixed.

Don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
Talk is cheap.

Context is important.

What is behind the words is expensive, but the price scale isn't exactly fixed.

Don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash.

I believe that is called Battleship mouth and tugboat ass....

C-word, n-word and to a lesser degree f-word are considered the most offensive spoken words in American english. In fact, it is generally unacceptable to print these words in their entirety or speak them when quoting another. And while the usage of these words is considered boorish at best, I too find it fascinating certain words have the power to elicit wildly insane responses. I was raised in a "sticks and stones" world. Of course, I never heard an adult drop the "F-Bomb" until I was well into my teens. (I genuinely believed it was a word only we kids used.) It was Eleanor Roosevelt who famously said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”; a corollary to which is "you can only be offended if you give your permission". I have long suspected people use their reaction to certain words as a means to empower themselves. The greater their offense (real or perceived), the more empowered they feel. This of course is not to say one should expect to hear this language when they are out for an evening with friends and family. One should however conclude printing or quoting certain words in their unsanitary form should not be a career ending decision. I recall my friend sharing this anecdote regarding his son. Junior was working for his college newspaper. In an article he quoted another student as using the word "faggot". When quizzed by his faculty advisor why he chose to print the word in its entirety, my friend's son responded "we already have an f-word".

hjs157, I never heard the "F-bomb" until I was about 25 years old and had been in the service (USAF) for about 3 years. I grew up in Detroit in the 1940s and 1950s and the word apparently was not in common usage back then. My parents and extended family certainly never used it. (In fact, the worst words I heard within the family group were "damn", "Hell", and "sh!t"--and those very seldom!)

I do agree that "damn" is from a religious standpoint the worst, because it is asking for someone or something to be banished to Perdition. Most other "curse" words are not so blatant. Another that I find religously objectionable is "Jesus Christ" (or just "Christ"), because it's taking the Lord's name inn vain--something banned by the 10 Commandments. Allied with that one is OMG ("Oh, My God").

It should be no surprise to anyone here that I don't partake of any of these words or phrases. I don't "curse" at all--ever. And I prefer not to listen to other people doing so. I articulate my feelings and objections using normal English (if sometimes a little scholarly). I am often considered to be a "wet blanket" but I can enjoy myself and have a good time. (I'm sometimes asked "What do you do for fun?" I tell them they would not understand.)

flashguy

I disagree that “fuck” is very high on the offensiveness list these days. It’s not showing up in the funny papers—yet—but it’s extremely common elsewhere. And like others of my age, I didn’t hear it until I was at least in my late teens despite being raised as an Army brat. I believe it’s much more common these days because it’s not tied to any larger issue like sexism or racism, and therefore someone who uses it can’t be categorized except as being somewhat uncouth. “Cunt” is becoming more common, but is generally considered a sexual slur these days and that’s keeping it down. At one time, however, it was just a vulgar word for vagina or vulva, and not used to describe an offensive or disagreeable woman.

Interesting to me, clinical terms like vagina and penis were at one time seldom encountered in public discourse, and certainly not in news reports. But BJ Clinton is largely responsible for breaking down that taboo. Not directly, of course, but when one of his partners reported that there was something distinctive about his penis to prove that she’d seen it, the news media could no longer avoid the word. “Vulva” is still much less common, mainly because most people don’t know that it, not “vagina,” refers to the external female genitals and vagina is an internal organ that usually only gynecologists get to see. But it’s coming along. Then there’s erection that had to become acceptable if Viagra was to be advertised.

No, today the most unacceptable words refer to race or ethnicity. In my youth they were common in everyday speech and although some people thought they were inappropriate for polite company, they weren’t the heart-stopping rational conversation killers they are today. I have letter written by a soldier during World War I to a young girl that used the slang term for Hispanics that’s so unacceptable today that I don’t recall the last time I heard or saw it.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Another that I find religously objectionable is "Jesus Christ" (or just "Christ"), because it's taking the Lord's name inn vain--something banned by the 10 Commandments. Allied with that one is OMG ("Oh, My God").

Dennis Prager has an interesting take on that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxDwJo8Svc

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Another that I find religously objectionable is "Jesus Christ" (or just "Christ"), because it's taking the Lord's name inn vain--something banned by the 10 Commandments.

I remember an admonition when I was young that saying something like “Jeez” was merely an euphemism for “Jesus,” and was therefore just as bad.

I find the evolution of words interesting, and some of the most interesting are British English expressions.

“Bloody” was considered quite offensive at one time, because it was a reference to Jesus’ passion and shedding of blood. An earlier expression was “God’s blood” or “God’s wounds.”

Another expression with a religious connotation is “gorblimey” or just “blimey.” The first is a corruption of “God blind me” with “if I’m not telling the truth” or something similar understood. Later it evolved to just an expression of surprise, indignation, etc. In that regard it’s equivalent to our saying, “Damn me” or “I’ll be damned”—all originally references to religious sanctions.

Having a problem with words in general is ridiculous. I have no issue with discussing and saying the "n-word". I'd type it, but that would likely flag my post, I have no problem SAYING it and think that using references to it, like "n-word" give the word more power than it deserves.

However, calling someone that (actually using the word) makes me want to punch that person in the taint.

It is interesting how societal opinions develop over time on this subject. I remember when "shit" used to be bleeped out on network TV; now it can be heard after 9pm.

Putting religious significance onto certain words has zero relevance to me because religion has zero relevance to me, but that's just my opinion. My neighbor is very religious, and even though I know he is too nice to ever speak up about it, I will still put forth effort to not curse in front of him excessively out of respect.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
Well, it depends on the audience. I try not to say lots of words in the company of children.

There are some I dont' use in the company of women.

But when it REALLY comes down to it... If in the company of adults... I don't REALLY care. I expect adults to be adults and not need "trigger warnings."

That said, overuse of profanity seems often appears to be a sign of lack of or little education.

Proper cursing can add to a point by showing strong or exceptional meaning.

Overusing it just shows a lack of class or education...

Or, as one of my favorite quotes goes... "Profanity is the crutch of the inarticulate motherfucker..."

Pretty much my view.

There must be words who’s meaning is over the top, meant to convey “more”. The profane have gotten the nod through mutual agreement.

Don’t go messing that up. I’m able to use any of the above fluidly in a sentence.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Another that I find religously objectionable is "Jesus Christ" (or just "Christ"), because it's taking the Lord's name inn vain--something banned by the 10 Commandments. Allied with that one is OMG ("Oh, My God").

Dennis Prager has an interesting take on that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxDwJo8Svc

That was indeed interesting!

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
There must be words who’s meaning is over the top, meant to convey “more”. The profane have gotten the nod through mutual agreement.

Don’t go messing that up. I’m able to use any of the above fluidly in a sentence.

I guess I've never needed to be that much "over the top".

flashguy

While I was in the Marine Corps, this seems appropriate for many who served in the military, especially the enlisted ranks.

We're not supposed to use the "n-word" because apparently only a certain demographic is allowed to use it now.
BUT... wasn't that word originally used by whites? Which would make the black use of it "cultural appropriation". Gotcha! Now no one can use it.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I never heard the "F-bomb" until I was about 25 years old and had been in the service (USAF) for about 3 years. I grew up in Detroit in the 1940s and 1950s and the word apparently was not in common usage back then.

I always wondered if the frequent use of f-bombs (and other choice words) on the mini-series “Deadwood” was historically correct. I found it inauthentic

quote:

I always wondered if the frequent use of f-bombs (and other choice words) on the mini-series “Deadwood” was historically correct. I found it inauthentic

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You a correct. I read a piece on this sometime back. They certainly cursed but often used words that today would seem ridiculous. I do not recall the exact words but they were similar to horse feathers and poppycock. Use of those words would convey laughter instead.

I am always impressed at silver tongued individuals who can convey the same degree of emotion and disdain without the use of profanity. Some skilled trial attorneys have that ability.