Why do we have swear words?

hiroofheroes

hiroofheroes

hiroofheroes

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Just read that Jane Fonda has had to appologise for using the C word on american TV when promoting the vagina monologues. But why can someone get upset about the use of a particular word, in this case the c word, when theres no problem talking about the same subject using alternative words?

Is there any point trying to rationalise this?
 
More peculiar is why you cant say a particular word, which is nothing more than a sound , yet you are allowed to show people being blown to bits
 
Because it's the easiest and sharpest form of both expressing and releasing your anger.
 
hiroofheroes said:
Just read that Jane Fonda has had to appologise for using the C word on american TV when promoting the vagina monologues. But why can someone get upset about the use of a particular word, in this case the c word, when theres no problem talking about the same subject using alternative words?

Is there any point trying to rationalise this?
Click to expand...

See you next tuesday still seems to be taboo. Not sure why. Most swear words can be used sparingly to emphasize something but alas they have been adopted by the unwashed masses and every other word is a cuss.
 
Just finished a Counselling Course and on the last night we had a swear board session.
This was actually a test to see if any words could throw you while counselling.
There were 15 of us (14 women and me) and we all put 2 swear words down each.
I said I was going to put the worst 2 that I knew of because the meanings of them were awful even though we use them to little kids : sod & bugger.
Out of the 30 swear words on the board nobody had wrote the 'c' word until the Lecturer did and a universal sigh of disgust went through the class.
Weird how one word can have that effect.
 
because profanities are usually misunderstood and always associated as an insult.

**** you is an insult
Im really ****** off is an expression

people tend to think of them as one and the same.

what I want to know is what do you find more insulting:

be quiet you rotten fish
your a ****

? discuss.

Im sure you have all seen video "explanation of the f word"? in you tube search for the F word and its the one with a black image.
 
hiroofheroes said:
Just read that Jane Fonda has had to appologise for using the C word on american TV when promoting the vagina monologues. But why can someone get upset about the use of a particular word, in this case the c word, when theres no problem talking about the same subject using alternative words?

Is there any point trying to rationalise this?
Click to expand...

Presumably because of the words meaning and origins. I was once informed by a girl I know well that the word above was originally used by men in a derogatory fashion to women to debase them, which would be all well and good but I know far more females who use it now than males.

Reminds me of an old joke/truism - "Why was golf so named? Because all the other four letter swearwords were taken".
 
semi-pro waster said:
Presumably because of the words meaning and origins. I was once informed by a girl I know well that the word above was originally used by men in a derogatory fashion to women to debase them, which would be all well and good but I know far more females who use it now than males.

Reminds me of an old joke/truism - "Why was golf so named? Because all the other four letter swearwords were taken".
Click to expand...

doesnt the name golf have a sexist background?

Gentlement Only Ladies Forbidden
 
i don't get the whole swear word shroud we have. after all, they are only words, with every day meanings just like every other 4 letter word in the english language, see you next tuesday is one of my favourites, such a meaty, juicey word (pun intended ;)), i don't use it, i once got slapped for using it :D, but i have little problem with it.
 
Oh random fluctuations in the space time continuum! doesn't quite has the same ring to it.

Besides, you need something to shout when you're in bed ;)
 
dmpoole said:
Just finished a Counselling Course and on the last night we had a swear board session.
This was actually a test to see if any words could throw you while counselling.
There were 15 of us (14 women and me) and we all put 2 swear words down each.
I said I was going to put the worst 2 that I knew of because the meanings of them were awful even though we use them to little kids : sod & bugger.
Out of the 30 swear words on the board nobody had wrote the 'c' word until the Lecturer did and a universal sigh of disgust went through the class.
Weird how one word can have that effect.
Click to expand...

what do they mean lol?
 
I think basmic is right, to an extent in this - its good to have words you can use when you're really cross.

Beyond that, it's a bit hard to say why some words are taboo. I guess they're just that bit more crass or vulgar.
 
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