Obscenity/Profanity?

[Robinsegg]

Hi!
I have a question for those of you who use obscenity/profanity. What's the draw to this type of language? Why do you use it, and what purpose do you expect to fulfill with it?

Rachel

 

[bammertheblue]

Well, in all honesty, I think I do swear too much. I don't swear in inappropriate situations, like at work or school, but I do when I'm hanging out with my friends. It's almost just like a habit. So I'm trying to work on that because I think as a fairly intelligent person I can think of more creative words to use.
Once in a while I just get so angry that swearing is the only way I can think of to express it. That I don't see as so much of a problem because it happens very rarely.

 

[Robinsegg]

Hey, Bammer,
Thanks for the honest reply.
Rachel

 

[Opcode42]

Hi!
I have a question for those of you who use obscenity/profanity. What's the draw to this type of language? Why do you use it, and what purpose do you expect to fulfill with it?

Rachel

Because "obscene" is a very subjective term. In a free society, where freedom of expression is valued, I as a citizen have the right to speak as I please about what I please. You as a citizen have the right to be offended by what I say, and I have the right to not give a damn.

Does this mean I "swear" every other word? No. But it is part of my vocabulary.

The real problem I have with the issue, is just who gets to define what is obscene anyway? How can a word really be obscene? It doesn't end at words either. By what criteria are you(society) allowed to judge what is obscene when it comes to someone else?

 

[wanderingone]

I rarely curse. When I do people are usually shocked but I don't do it for shock value. Sometimes it's when I am EXTREMELY frustrated or upset which is when I can't think of anything else that fits the bill. I remember cursing up a storm a couple days after 9/11 when I was still working at social services in NYC and a client called having a fit about some issue they'd called about every day since before 9/11. Our computers were down, it just a hit a nerve and I think every other word of my sentence was something less than polite. I meant to say "Miss, there are thousands of people mourning the loss of their loved ones, we can't even take the subway, half our workers have to report to other buildings and the computers don't work, I'm sorry you'll have to wait a few more days for help on this particular issue" it came out a little different.

The only other time I curse is when I experience an unexpected jolt of pain. Usually that's under breath.

I don't expect any results, other than the relief of venting. When I fail to communicate correctly because of anger regardless of cursing or not, I expect the results to be negative.

Personally I think it far more amusing to use language that covers an insult in polite language... although I'm pretty sure that's probably worse than just telling someone what you think of them, since it assumes they are too dumb to catch your meaning before you are out of their arm's reach and the purpose (expressing frustration or distaste generally, or to get a reaction) is just the same.

 

[jayem]

Occaisionally, I use some 4 letter Anglo-Saxon words. But not often, and usually in anger or frustration. Why? I suspect, more than anything else, just from habit. Speech, like any other behavior, becomes habitual over time. You just become conditioned to say things in certain situations. Amost reflexive.

 

[Robinsegg]

Because "obscene" is a very subjective term. In a free society, where freedom of expression is valued, I as a citizen have the right to speak as I please about what I please. You as a citizen have the right to be offended by what I say, and I have the right to not give a damn.

I'm not asking about freedom of speech or outlawing obscenity, I've been given an impression of this, and would like to find out "from the horses' mouths", so to speak, why people use this language.

Doe's this mean I "swear" every other word? No. But it is part of my vocabulary.

Okay, but why is that? I'm not condemning it, even if it's something I don't use myself. I just want to know why people use this particular type of language.

The real problem I have with the issue, is just who gets to define what is obscene anyway? How can a word really be obscene? It doesn't end at words either. By what criteria are you(society) allowed to judge what is obscene when it comes to someone else?

So society has no right to judge what is and isn't acceptable in the public square? That's an interesting one. So, by extension, does that mean that society doesn't have any right to make laws against anything, either? After all, aren't laws a judgment of what is/isn't acceptable?

Rachel

 

[eri]

Why not swear? As far as I'm concerned, swear words are just another form of superstition - the idea that a certain combination of sounds is 'wrong' or can actually affect someone in some way (even just by making them uncomfortable). Note how which words we consider obscence have changed over time.

That said, I don't swear all that much - mostly for emphasis or in anger. I also don't have a high opinion of people who swear every other word - I take that as a sign they can't think of anything else to say, which translates into a poor education. But the swearing itself doesn't bother me.

 

[Lord_Marx]

I only cuss for the sake of humor and only use it when I'm with my friends and in moderation even then.

 

[Robinsegg]

Note how which words we consider obscence have changed over time.

Well, that's interesting. Let's see here. . . I know many of our obscene words became obscene because they were Anglo-Saxon when the Normans took control of England. Another is an acronym used by the Puritans. I suppose the words that most recently have become obscene have become so because of "political correctness".
On the other hand, maybe I'm just not up to date on swear words.

Rachel

 

[bammertheblue]

Personally I think it far more amusing to use language that covers an insult in polite language... although I'm pretty sure that's probably worse than just telling someone what you think of them, since it assumes they are too dumb to catch your meaning before you are out of their arm's reach and the purpose (expressing frustration or distaste generally, or to get a reaction) is just the same.

Oh yeah, definitely!

 

[Opcode42]

When it comes to freedom of expression, then no society has no right to regulate it. That is an individual responsibility.
Example. I personally find Monty Python's Life of Brian to be hillarious, and an insightfull poke at Christianity.

However, I understand that this movie can be quite offensive to others for exactly those reasons.


But just like in this topic they have every right to make such a movie, and I ahve every right to watch and enjoy it. And, if for instance, I choose to show it combined with The Last Temptation of Christ on Easter Sunday as an alternative to sitting at home twiddling your thumbs, you have every right to get upset about it, but cannot prevent me from doing so. (old story, happened in college, yes there was a big uproar, yes we did it anyway, gave the atheists something to do that day instead of being alone)


Freedom of expression is a wondeerfull thing. It does however mean that you will at times be offended by something someone says or does. And though you may voice your objections to such activites, you do not have the right to hinder it in anyway. To do so, is to contrary to the phrase "freedom of expression".

From your post, I get the feeling that I took this in a direction not intented by your OP. My appologies, I guess I misundertood the topic. Just an issue I feel particularly strong about.

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

I don't swear often as a Christian but sometimes the words apply to people and I will use them. According to this site if you us certain abbreviations it's the same as swearing so I probably "curse" more than most Christians but I really don't care at this point.

 

[marblehead]

I use those words mostly out of habit and sometimes to express anger and/or emphasize what I'm saying. It's not really something I give much thought to. Only in situations where I'd think it would be inappropriate do I abstain.

 

[Robinsegg]

Freedom of expression is a wondeerfull thing. It does however mean that you will at times be offended by something someone says or does. And though you may voice your objections to such activites, you do not have the right to hinder it in anyway. To do so, is to contrary to the phrase "freedom of expression".

Just so you know, I'm an advocate of free expression and free speech. There are only a few exceptions to my advocacy of these. One is where it concerns children (as in, I think the parents should be told when media will have obscene/profane language, so the parents can decide if it's appropriate for their children).
However, I also think it's okay for society to say that public passing of gas is uncouth or that certain words are impolite. Does that mean they should be outlawed? No. But impolite behavior should be curtailed by society through simple disapproval and avoidance by individuals.

Rachel

 

[sparklecat]

Anger (or any emotionally charged situation), emphasis, and humor when I'm with certain people.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I don't really "swear" that much....but I really don't feel there should be such a thing as a "bad word".

I feel that saying something that hurt someone else's feelings is far worse than spilling my drink and dropping the F-bomb.

 

[eri]

I'm pretty sure the f-word is a 'recent' (last hundred years or so) addition to the set of swears. 'Humbug' used to be an insulting name for someone, but itsn't considered a swear now.

Think about it - would you even recognize a swear word in another language? Other cultures place the same ideas on swear words - but a swear in a language you don't speak has no effect on you.

 

[xMinionX]

I swear sometimes. I curse like a truck driver at home, but that's only because I enjoy the freedom to say whatever I wish in my own house. But outside of my home, I usually only curse when a really nasty situation comes up without warning. Ex. One of my more aggressive students decided to pee on me the other day while I had her in a wrap-up. I said some four letter words there.

 

[Robinsegg]

I'm pretty sure the f-word is a 'recent' (last hundred years or so) addition to the set of swears.

No, the f-word is an acronym created by the Pilgrims (Puritans) as an abreviation of
For
Unlawful
Carnal
Knowledge
(as in extra or pre marital sex) and has been in use for quite some time, afaik.

Rachel