whats wrong with cursing word?

[Tim_Lou]

we know what f*** means, we know what it is.
some people are very sensitive about this word.
when they hear it, they pretend they dont know about it, or get mad, or get nervous.
why do we show such strong disapproval toward this word?

(imagine how powerful this word is!)
i rarely see such word written down in the daily life, and this word is not allowed to be used in so many situations.

as far as i know, most of the language have cursing words.
so, why did we even create these words? whats the meaning? how can 4 letters make such a big difference?

[Tormod]

A VERY good question. However, the answer is not so easy to come up with. This can be explained in many ways - semantics, culture, sociology, history...

There are many kinds of words. The F word is a "swearword", which for some is plain fun to use (between every other word) while others perceive it as the most horrible thing to say.

But there are other words which have different uses. In Norway there are actually people who use the (Norwegian) word for "Jew" to imply that someone is really stupid. That is a mindless use of a word and not least a horrible insult.

Of course, sometimes words are not even needed. How about just using the middle finger?

There are so many things which can be discussed here...not even sure where to start.

[Freethinker]

It is an interesting example of arbitrary subjective assignment of "morals". I have tried to figure my own stance on it out and have trouble "reasoning" it. I typically do not use what is often called "foul" language (including the f word and even less "offensive" words), my ex did and my kids do to a varying level. Perhaps the most confusing for me is my daughter's heavy usage of f... and other such. On one hand, I do not hold the typical Puritanical views of such words being something so offensive as to be unusable in "civilized" society. But perhaps conditioning still causes a negative reaction when she does.

Especially since the oposition to "cursing" is based on biblical tenets of not using god in vein. WHich we all here know I would have no problem with.

Other than I try to not use the word at all if possible.

Then there are the various attempts to use while not using the word. Such as spelling it f*ck. Why does it make it acceptable to use the word (as there is no doubt which word is being used) if some of the letters are not directly used? Or as a local columnist uses "what the fock".

Bottom line it shows how absurd arbitrary conventions are.

[Tormod]

Originally posted by: Freethinker
I... have trouble "reasoning" it.

Now I've seen/heard/read everything. FCUK!

[Tim_Lou]

well, i think the f word should be part of our literature, our culture.... it should be respected like any other words!

but imagine the f word being put in the SAT I!.....

also, some people really have a hard time using the f word in their real life....its weird.
ok, lets see...F!!!, i cant type it in. : \

[WildRose1010]

You all have great points, but I commonly use such "swear words" and I usually never even notice it. I find that it is only a word, like any other, but bad feelings have been ingrained into others by their parents and these connections cannot be seperated, even when reasoned away with logic. Would silence be more acceptable than swearing? I don't know about everyone else, but this poem may say something to you about swearing and the alternatives.

Sticks and stones,
Break my bones,
Aimed with angry art.
Words can sting,
Like anything,
But silence breaks the heart.

Does anyone agree? Wouldn't you rather have someone swearing at you (even using f***) then completely ignoring you?

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by WildRose1010

Does anyone agree? Wouldn't you rather have someone swearing at you (even using f***) then completely ignoring you?

No. Try Googling "taboo words" for 147,000 hits.

[rockytriton]

People who swear a lot in conversation give the impression of immaturity, so I usually tend to pay less attention to them.

[mother engine]

forgiving unreasonable cadence keels; the annunciation is guttural and the identification is offensive through conditioned response. try "shut the f**k up, c**t" for a triple punch when verbally assaulting suburban housewifes in the supermarket.

as far as the rest of those words i guess you have to be raised with the right ear.

[Bio-Hazard]

I think a simple phrase such as, "I want to make you feel good" can be more powerful than a shut the fuck up. Such things make people think you are really weird and make them want to avoid you at all costs. Such things achieve a greater stand than Shut the f,_,ck up.