What is a swear word?

Reality Bites · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:56

We've had a general warning at work about the use of bad language and swearing in the office.

Being the childish bunch that we are, we started to think (out loud)....what defines a swear word? I've googled all the definitions and in my opinion, swear words are subjective. What one person finds offensive, may not be to another......so does that mean it's not a swear word?

It's not like theres an official dictionary of offensive words somewhere? I also appreciate that depending on how the word is spoken and the use of the word makes a difference to the level of swear word, but it still doesn't take away from the fact it's subjective?

Robbo · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:57

Common sense really, you know what words are offensive generally.

Edrof · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:57

**** off with your **** thread.

godinman · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:59

It is indeed subjective, but you have to couple that with the intent behind the word, how it's spoken and societies view of the word.

TheCenturion · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:59

It may be subjective, but there's a certain group of words which no matter how you use them, cannot be considered part of polite conversation.

Eg: the word 'bitch' can be used as part of polite conversation. So can the word '*******'.

The F word however has no place in polite conversation, due to its meaning, it cannot be spoken without some rude intention.

Tephnos · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:00

Words which are generally used in a negative connotation... which is why they don't want you saying them.

Words be bad, bro/

godinman · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:00

TheCenturion said:
It may be subjective, but there's a certain group of words which no matter how you use them, cannot be considered part of polite conversation.

Eg: the word 'bitch' can be used as part of polite conversation. So can the word '*******'.

The F word however has no place in polite conversation, due to its meaning, it cannot be spoken without some rude intention.

You have to take into account the audience, I can use the F word with my friends, and ahem girlfriend, and it wouldn't really be a 'swear word', just a normal word.

Reality Bites · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:01

TheCenturion said:
It may be subjective, but there's a certain group of words which no matter how you use them, cannot be considered part of polite conversation.

Eg: the word 'bitch' can be used as part of polite conversation. So can the word '*******'.

The F word however has no place in polite conversation, due to its meaning, it cannot be spoken without some rude intention.

I do get that.....but even then, there's no defintion of what is polite conversation other than whether someone finds it offensive or not. You won't know that until it's too late?

Cosimo · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:02

Forde said:
**** off with your **** thread.

Now say that aloud in the office.

It doesn't take much to work out what is and what isn't offensive and when to use it.

edscdk · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:03

TheCenturion said:
The F word however has no place in polite conversation, due to its meaning, it cannot be spoken without some rude intention.

again that is subjective, we use it a lot in our office, as there is no women or old people no one really cares...

though we do watch what we say when visitors / old's or women wonder in....

B@Th*nG · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:06

****, ****, ****, ****, ****, ****, ********, ******.

these are all swear words

B@

Edrof · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:06

simulatorman said:
Now say that aloud in the office.

It doesn't take much to work out what is and what isn't offensive and when to use it.

Okay, but how do I pronounce the asterisks!?

Cosimo · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:09

Forde said:
Okay, but how do I pronounce the asterisks!?

I'll leave that for you to work out.

FiremanSam · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger%27s_Profanisaurus

You need a copy of the Profanisaurus in the office for reference

neil3k · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:13

****

that is all.

tibbsey · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:18

Celestial Nostos said:
Words which are generally used in a negative connotation... which is why they don't want you saying them.

Words be bad, bro/

So... ban all words with a negative connotation or that could be seen as offensive to someone else?

The IPB · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:21

My personal favourite is ****

Reality Bites · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:23

tibbsey said:
So... ban all words with a negative connotation or that could be seen as offensive to someone else?

This is what I was thinking....is this the extent you would need to go to in order to safe guard not insulting/offending someone :confused:

Bar · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:31

I do love how people take these questions to the extremes.

Common sense will apply and if you dont know what is acceptable in polite conversation in a professional environment should you even be working?

Generally though the following swear word equivilants would be deemed unacceptable:

Excrement
Female genitalia
Male genitalia
Sexual acts
Urinating
Child born out of wedlock
Masturbator / Masturbation / Masturbating

tibbsey · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:33

Bar said:
I do love how people take these questions to the extremes.

Common sense will apply and if you dont know what is acceptable in polite conversation in a professional environment should you even be working?

But why is the slang for fornicate not acceptable? It's just a word. A damn* good one at that.

*My apologies for any offence caused by this word