Legitimate arguments for or against using curse words

1. 79

   TheBumbleposted 6 years ago

   I would like to hear people's opinions on using curse words. Obviously, people get offended by them because of social norms, but is there any actually difference between saying poop and sh!t? The only argument I can think of is that curse words have been found to relieve anger and express to yourself effectively. I.e. saying, "I am very angry" doesn't carry the same weight as "I'm f@&#ing pissed." Also, in an emergency situation, curse words can be used to express urgency. So maybe for those reasons, we should reserve their use. Does anyone have any arguments for why curse words are bad?
   
   P. S. I realize the irony of censoring my curse examples. I'm not sure what the policy is around here.

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2. 70

   Aime Fposted 6 years ago

   I think context is important.
   
   I can’t stand it when people can’t seem to make it through a sentence without swearing. To me it sounds unintelligent. I remember trying to talk to my mom on the phone once on campus and there was a guy beside me talking to his friend who dropped the f-bomb nearly every second word and it was extremely irritating and he sounded like an idiot. I finally turned to him and asked him to “shut the f*** up already” which in my opinion was an excellent use of the word.
   
   It can also be used as a weapon in a way, as some curse words carry more weight than others when you use them against someone personally. But that can be said for many words, not just of the curse variety.
   
   In general I really don’t mind it and I do swear quite a bit myself. I do try to pay attention to what environment I’m in though as there are places that demand a certain level of politeness. (My husband is awful at this... I had to remind him a few months ago that an elementary school Christmas concert was not the place to say “shit” - in fairness to him he always feels terrible when he realizes he’s done it )
   
   I think that certain words elicit certain responses from people and that’s just the way that language works. Sort of like if you were to say “I hate you” to a spouse during an argument rather than “I’m very upset with you” the emotional response would probably be very different. Generally the more severe curse words serve to elicit more severe responses from people.

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3. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   I have never seen so many younger people using horrible language in my  64 years  as do today , in front of parents , in front of children ,EVEN by children ,  in church , in public . in private . Hardly any lengthy  conversation can be had without  that language being used .
   Shameful !

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4. 60

   Live to Learnposted 6 years ago

   I raised my kids with the advice that foul language is indicative of one of two things. Either you are too mad or too dumb to think of another word. Neither use foul language in normal conversation.

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5. 79

   TheBumbleposted 6 years ago

   According to studies by the University of Rochester, more intelligent people typically curse more often so the "too dumb to use a better word" argument doesn't hold water.
   
   I can't find any reason to avoid cursing other than people are offended by it because society shaped them into believing a word is bad. Sure, if you only use a curse word when you're trying to express anger, it will be more obvious that you are truly angry. But your tone can offer the same impact.

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   1. 60

      Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Being intelligent, overall, doesn't negate the probability that one's vocabulary range could use some work. Unless, one simply likes to appear unintelligent and under educated.

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      1. 73

         mrpopoposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         There are other studies that link swearing with higher vocabularies: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a … 011400151X

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      2. 79

         TheBumbleposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         At the same time, the incessant use of an extensive vocabulary with pompous palaver and vexatious peculiarities can be unequivocally obnoxious and pretentious, or, in a more customary vernacular, people who are always using big words are annoying as... fudge.

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6. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   Go back to colonial diplomacy and discourse in political discussions , They were far more effective in debate and used far cleaner language to do so . Using foul language is just that - foul language .

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   1. 79

      TheBumbleposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that people are offended by cursing, but my question is why? What makes one word any different than the other? Poop and sh!t both mean the exact same thing. Does one just sound worse than the other? Why has society developed taboo words?

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      1. 0

         ahorsebackposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I guess it could be called Decent Manners ?

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         1. 79

            TheBumbleposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Manners are a social construct. In the UK, bloody is a "bad" word, but in the US, it's a "normal" word. I do agree with the use of manners and whatnot; to live successfully in a society, you must adhere to the rules of society. I personally enjoy cursing, but I'm not going to roll into the bank like, "What's happening witches?!"
            
            What I a'm currently searching for is an argument that is based in fact and research rather than an "it's just the way that it is" argument.

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         2. 70

            Aime Fposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Manners are kinda already out the window if you’re talking about poop anyway, might as well just commit.

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7. 70

   Aime Fposted 6 years ago

   Another study suggests that people who swear are more sincere
   
   https://globalnews.ca/news/3160474/peop … ont-study/

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   1. 96

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      LOL  I would have said it is used to cover insincerity!

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   2. 79

      TheBumbleposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I think it can go one of two ways for sure. Just like with the "more intelligent" study. Surely that isn't always the case.
      
      The sincerity thing makes sense though just because cursing is so frowned upon. Anyone who is going to say the big F you probably doesn't have a problem telling you anything else lol

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8. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   Big problem today is listening to minor children use this language . I mean adult language is bad enough but it's adults who then suffer the results right ? But when minor children use such language around adults it reflects directly on our impressions  of youth becoming adults in public and private  relations . I can hear the excuses now as to why.......  "Mom Dad , I got fired on my first day of work and I don't f----ing know why "..........

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