I think it’s high time that we have a national, if not international, discussion on cursing (cussing).
Here in the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt, cursing is widely considered a sin. Not just rude, coarse, or vulgar but an actual sin — like murder, adultery, coveting, lying, etc. I simply cannot drink that Kool-Aid (and I’m a Christian).
For starters, language is a living, evolving (intelligently designed, if you prefer) thing. Languages change over time. Thus, what may have been foul a couple of hundred years ago may not be recognizable, much less foul, now. To declare a few words as sinful — in of themselves — seems preposterous.
Let’s take the word “faggot,” or “fag” for short. In Britain, the word “fag” traditionally has meant (1) a cigarette (2) “a student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks for a student in a higher class” or even (3) a boring task.
However, nowadays, “fag” is a slur against someone who is gay, which used to mean happy, but now means homosexual. Get the idea? So, is it a sin to say the word “fag”? Ironically, most of my Bible-thumping brethren would say no. But say “fuck” and you’re tinkering with your eternal soul.
On the other hand, I’m not saying that it’s ok to show up at a function and just start slinging curse words out. If I met the Pope, I wouldn’t exclaim, “Damn, that’s one crazy fucking hat!” I wouldn’t burp in his face either because that’s rude. But burping is not a sin. And neither, I submit, is cursing. It’s simply a matter of manners.
Of course, manners or not, I still don’t understand why shouting “fuck” will get people’s attention, but shouting “fick” will get you locked up for observation. It’s a vowel sound. Why is so much stigma attached to it?
On the side of convention though, I agree that one should not overuse curse words. But I have this belief only because I don’t think people should overuse any particular words. I’d never go around saying, “This weather is dandy. I don’t think it could get any dandier. If it were any dandier, I’d rename myself ‘Danny’ just because that sounds like ‘dandy.’ Golly, it’s dandy out today.”
If I said that, I’d be a fucking idiot.
So, curse. It livens up a conversation. Live a little.
Yes I agree. As an evolving process, language needs as much genetic variation as possible to avoid ending up as a sterile mutant species.
To think of swear words as being branded ‘obscene’ for all eternity is patently wrong. Words like ‘damn’ and ‘zounds!’ don’t really elicit the outrage they used to.
Some swear words lapse into archaism and take on novelty value. ‘Quim’ would hardly cause a riot these days, and sounds like some of aristocratic English word for pheasant liver or something.
The F word has maintained a pretty impressive taboo status, though. But with communications technology making this an ever-diminishing world, already the whole world is saying it and using it like a passport. In a couple of decades, we could see it become commonplace.
I would love to see it one day feature in news anchor banter.
-“Well, that is the fourth time Zanzibar Hilton has been photographed without her underwear. Things not going well for her at all, Carol”
-“Yes, that is one fucked up bitch, John. Coming up, Is Snoop Dogg too old to get his pimp on?…”
Swearing is vital to language. It is also essential to culture. It marks out different niches in different places. Here in Australia, ‘dickhead’ is almost a totally harmless synonym for ‘idiot’ but it always shocks visitors.
Same with ‘bloody’. The international “Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya?” tourism campaign ran aground in many countries where it isn’t as commonplace. To Australians, we were gobsmacked at the reaction.
To say that a girl is ‘up the duff’ also draws forth open mouths from foreigners, and to explain that it just means ‘she is preggers’ doesn’t seem to help.
I also agree that swearing loses its functions if it is over-used. What is a powerful addition to language, when used constantly renders language static, stillborn and stultified.
There is not much hope for a culture when you constantly hear conversations like this:
-“Fuck, that shit was wicked”
-“No shit?”
-“Fuck no.”
-“Fuck”
SC—thanks for the story it is posted here
http://thisbuddyofmine.com/2008/12/19/no-country-for-young-sissies/
Your bro sounded like a good guy who went too soon. You must have had some “fucking” good times.
Your dandy “dandy example” reminded me of the speech Bush gave this morning. It was perfect for a drinking game. “Each time he says a variation of the word viable, everybody takes a shot” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3pA07nU9dk
Great entry. I definitely agree with what you have to say here. I have never really understood why it is a bad thing – they’re just words.
Communication scholars (nerds…) would argue intentionality. And clearly, B, you intend to f it all up for the rest of us. Merry f-ing Christmas.
Sillionshine, thisbuddyofmine, MommyCity, Driftingfocus, thanks for the great comments. Everyone should check our your blogs. I have and I think they’re very entertaining and well-written.
Thanks for leaving comments and please continue to do so.
Dr. Janey, there you go flaunting your erudition. I don’t even know what intentionality means in the communication realm. Educate me. Not knowing what I’m responding to severely limits my ability to be witty.
My all-time favorite cheesy New Orleans t-shirt shop offering: “F— You You F—ing F—!”
Thanks for commenting over at MommyCity & thank you very much for your compliment here. I hope your nose is okay. My chin is feeling better. LOL
Publius, do you have that t-shirt in your closet? Better yet, are you wearing it right now? Perhaps you can wear it to your next depo.
MommyCity, you’re welcome. My nose is much better, but, at the time, I was a grown man crying.
You know, BH….what your intentions are behind your words..intentionality..thats not what “they” call it but it is what I call it. Intent, in the communication world, is a philosophical one. Gosh..nerd central.
And it also just dawned on me that you wont get this for days seeing as you have bet the wife that you could avoid electronic invasions.
I love to cuss. It is a problem, as I am supposed to be a respectable lady.
My husband is a Yankee. Last time he was at the dinner table with my whole family, something possessed him to sing a little song called, “I’m so fucking happy.” I did, in fact, want to die. We have had many conversations about how that can never happen again. Manners, indeed.
Great topic SC. And once again, you nailed the funniest line of the week (“crazy fucking hat”).
I have long held that there are certain instances when “fuck” is the only appropriate word for a given situation in the universe. And many of those instances have absolutely nothing to do with one another. Examples–the obvious one night stand scenario vs say, being on a perilous mountain hike and having your way back to safety blocked, forcing you to traverse a narrow, icy ledge in front. What the F else are you gonna say in that spot? Come to think of it, maybe those situations do have a bit in common.
Dr. J, if the definition of a word is a function of my intent, then I get to drop F bombs all day because I never mean it as a sexual reference. I’m a married man; sex never crosses my mind.
I only use cuss words for exclamations. “Are you fuckin’ kidding me?” is simply funnier and more expressive than, “Are you kidding me?” The latter is much too bland. It’s almost like you don’t really care whether the person is kidding or not. I don’t need such ambivalence in my life. I take a stand on things.
Marty, if I cussed at my in-laws house, I’d be shown the door. Is that song recorded?
TB, danke. And you’re dead right.
No, the main reason for the prevalence of profanity in our society is the desensitization to these vulgarities by the Democrats and the liberal media. And that’s why they are all going to Hell. I am not opposed to throwin’ down on yo cracka asses… white boys cuss like sissies.
Cleroe, thanks for the comment. Nice change in tone of voice by the way. That comment started off like something I’d read in the National Review and ended like something I’d read on the bathroom wall.
http://www.toddejones.com/lyrics/happysong.html
Unfortunately, no audio. Just the lyrics.
Marty, that song brings tears to my eyes. I may start singing it to my children at night. It looks like it would make a great lullaby.
Seriously, that’s a song right up my alley. I hope you record it.
Brian – I totally agree. Shit Fuck Damn. Just don’t let my kids hear it.
Wow, sailor. I didn’t know you had it in you.
I just told your kids. They said, “Aw, that’s nothing.”
They then asked if I had a dime bag on me. What are y’all teaching your kids up there in the Delta?!
super,
New to the blog, but see that some of my friends have already posted.
Great topic. Sully and I had were having a conversation about two or three years ago and came to the conclusion that in certain situations that people would just say “fuck”. You see somebody back their boat down a ramp and the truck goes in with the boat. What do say? Fuck ! You come home loaded after the Super Bowl and a your wife leaves a hodge podge of clothing on the doorstep and you have to work in the morning. What do say? Fuck! Sometimes cursing is not only appropriate, but necessary.
Sorry about the grammar.
Dirty, welcome. With a name like “Dirty,” you’ll fit right in. Good points. There are times when no other word will do. You couldn’t insert “drat” into any of those situations.
And no need to worry about grammar, typos, or cohesiveness of thought. I apparently don’t.