The quarterly 'Is swearing bad' thread

[Rhiannon]

Because there's a time and a place?

Rather, because there isn't a time and place.

Of course there is. As Billy Connolly - a master of the art himself - once rightly observed, there are situations in life where "Please go away quickly" just won't do the job.

Exactly. Just like when 'what a silly person' isn't adequate for someone who tailgates me when I've got my kids in the car.

[Shaker]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

[ad_orientem]

I was thinking the same. It's those who oppose swearing (though of course there is a time and a place, as others have already mentioned) that are trying to limit vocabulary.

[BashfulAnthony]

Because there's a time and a place?

Rather, because there isn't a time and place.

Of course there is. As Billy Connolly - a master of the art himself - once rightly observed, there are situations in life where "Please go away quickly" just won't do the job.

Exactly. Just like when 'what a silly person' isn't adequate for someone who tailgates me when I've got my kids in the car.

Surely you could think of something to make a point, without swearing, which merely puts across the message that you are crude.  What about saying to the tailgater, "You must have been born on a highway, because that's where most accidents happen,"  or something.

[Shaker]

Surely you could think of something to make a point, without swearing, which merely puts across the message that you are crude.  What about saying to the tailgater, "You must have been born on a highway, because that's where most accidents happen,"  or something.

The tailgater is in the car behind Rhi, Ant - I've no doubt whatever that, being female, she can turn up the volume from time to time but the tailgater is unlikely to hear her.

[BashfulAnthony]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

[ippy]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

BA, I'll let by a certain amount swearing in my home from people I've not had a lot of dealings with but at some point I would ask them to drop the swearing and pass on perhaps another couple of obviously habitual slips then after that I would ask them to leave and I don't care whoever they might be, thems the rules here.

ippy   

[ad_orientem]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

How many pubs you been to?

[Rhiannon]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

BA, I'll let by a certain amount swearing in my home from people I've not had a lot of dealings with but at some point I would ask them to drop the swearing and pass on perhaps another couple of obviously habitual slips then after that I would ask them to leave and I don't care whoever they might be, thems the rules here.

ippy   

I wouldn't tolerate swearing from a visitor if my kids or my parents were around.

[jeremyp]

We shall have to agree to disagree. For me 'Get lost' is a more suitable way of expressing the feeling. 

"Get lost" doesn't have the same visceral impact.  Although, to be fair, neither does "fuck off" if you don't use it sparingly.

[BashfulAnthony]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

BA, I'll let by a certain amount swearing in my home from people I've not had a lot of dealings with but at some point I would ask them to drop the swearing and pass on perhaps another couple of obviously habitual slips then after that I would ask them to leave and I don't care whoever they might be, thems the rules here.

ippy   

I wouldn't tolerate swearing from a visitor if my kids or my parents were around.

Why?

[BashfulAnthony]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

How many pubs you been to?

How is it relevant how many I've been to?

[jeremyp]

Because there's a time and a place?

Rather, because there isn't a time and place.

Why is it, do you think, that all languages have swear words?

[BashfulAnthony]

Because there's a time and a place?

Rather, because there isn't a time and place.

Why is it, do you think, that all languages have swear words?

Because there are crude and uncouth people in all languages and cultures, if culture is the word to use in this context.

[jeremyp]

How is it relevant how many I've been to?

Because if there is one thing pubs are generally not noted for, it's the lack of swearing you can hear in them.

[ippy]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

BA, I'll let by a certain amount swearing in my home from people I've not had a lot of dealings with but at some point I would ask them to drop the swearing and pass on perhaps another couple of obviously habitual slips then after that I would ask them to leave and I don't care whoever they might be, thems the rules here.

ippy   

I wouldn't tolerate swearing from a visitor if my kids or my parents were around.

I agree with you, only both my children are in their thirties and for both of us our parents are long gone.

ippy

[jeremyp]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjixdVvkfL4

Fourteen fucks and a bugger.  The first time I saw it was in a cinema in which the entire audience was helpless with laughter.

Context matters.

[BashfulAnthony]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjixdVvkfL4

Fourteen fucks and a bugger.  The first time I saw it was in a cinema in which the entire audience was helpless with laughter.

Context matters.

What does that say about you, then, and the people who find it so funny?  You may as well stand in front of a mirror effing and blinding for ten minutes, and give yourself a good laugh.   

[jeremyp]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjixdVvkfL4

Fourteen fucks and a bugger.  The first time I saw it was in a cinema in which the entire audience was helpless with laughter.

Context matters.

What does that say about you, then, and the people who find it so funny?

That we all have a sense of humour and don't have our heads up our own arses.

You may as well stand in front of a mirror effing and blinding for ten minutes, and give yourself a good laugh.   

It doesn't work.  Context matters.

[Rhiannon]

A little while back a group of scientists, philosophers and other generally brainy types were asked (by a magazine, IIRC) which idea/concept they thought should be retired - in other words, which idea had had its day and should be got rid of.

My vote would be to try to erase this witless idea that swearing indicates a limited vocabulary, which is in itself - ironically - an incredibly unoriginal idea given the amount of times it's trotted out and parrotted by others. I may not have many strengths but I have a superb vocabulary and can be a half-way decent writer when I put my mind to it. It should be obvious upon even a moment's reflection that a person's vocabulary minus swear words is going to be less than the same person's vocabulary + swear words. That's basic arithmetic.

Any twat can see that.

If you really think that, then you are a fool;  but I bet you go down a storm at the pub, about closing time!   

BA, I'll let by a certain amount swearing in my home from people I've not had a lot of dealings with but at some point I would ask them to drop the swearing and pass on perhaps another couple of obviously habitual slips then after that I would ask them to leave and I don't care whoever they might be, thems the rules here.

ippy   

I wouldn't tolerate swearing from a visitor if my kids or my parents were around.

Why?

Because it is presumptuous. Similarly I never swear in front of people I don't know well because they might get offended. I'm going through a tough time at the moment so among friends I swear sometimes to vent, but even then I moderate what I say according to who I'm with.

[Rhiannon]

I agree with Rose, gratuitous swearing is very jarring. And it robs it of meaning too, which renders it irrelevant.

There's a funny thing with trust and swearing too. It's not commonplace among my peers and when someone drops a swear word into a sentence I know they've relaxed enough to use it, and trust that I won't judge them.

[Nearly Sane]

No pugger on here has sopping well suggested that are not hacking times and places where it might be winkingly stupid or ballastkickingly inconsiderate to throw in a materducking swearword. However that one might choose to express one's tissing anger or over-suck-whelming frustration at some arshwhipery, has not been shown to be either indicative in the smallest santorum of lack of vocabulary, or if one has ever met anyone of the decksacking upper class stunts, that this behaviour is deserving of cakelicking opprobrium or is anything more than the twitmunching small mindedness of Jen and Bryan bloopy Teale.

[Sassy]

If you want to say "Fuck Off" ippy just grow a pair and do it. it's not illegal.

No, but it's hardly an intelligent thing to say, either!

I do not believe 'intelligence' has any reflection when using bad language out of annoyance.
I also believe that bad language is not so much the words but the feelings vented behind them.
So if a person does not believe

"Fuck Off"

is swearing then for them it is not using bad language.  In America 'Fanny' is slang for your bottom it has an entirely different meaning here.

Whilst swearing is bad I think it better for someone to swear at me that physically assault me. So maybe it is a lesser of two evils but also just cuss words to some without any real assault or insult.

[Rhiannon]

I never thought I'd see 'cakelicking' used in public. 

[Sassy]

How is one demeaned by the use of swear words?


{n.b. "if you don't know then I'm not going to tell you" is not a reasonable response to this request}

I hope you never have to go to court but if you did for some reason do you think unrestrained swearing would help or hinder your case?

If you think as I do swearing would have a negative effect in a law court surroundings, why do you think that might be?

ippy

I believe that in court you would have no reason to us bad language.
Use of swear words is usually to do with anger.
It really is impolite and unnecessary to use bad language in a court of law.