UPSB v3
Serious Discussion / Swearing Substitutions
-
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 05:10:08
Now, when people swear, it's obviously not a good thing. But if you substitute it with another word that sounds like that swear word, or means the same thing but a different word, it isn't considered as rude, and sometimes not rude at all. For example, if someone were to stub their toe and yell
"SH$T!!!"
Then it is considered vulgar and rude.
But if you you were to yell
"CRUD!!!"
Most people wouldn't care. Does this really make sense? You're saying the exact same thing, but in a different word.
Another example, if you were driving somewhere and you suddenly remembered that you forgot something really important from where you came from, let's just say you muttered
"Fv(l<..."
Again, that's considered really rude. Now if you were to say
"Aw, F, f f f f! [eff]" It isn't considered rude at all. Everyone knows what you're really meaning...why not just swear? You're meaning the same thing.
Your thoughts? -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 13:49:43
Some vulgarities are just not socially acceptable, in most formal settings of course. But I like how Brits hurl insults, it doesnt sound vulgar at all, but it gets the meaning across.
-
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 13:53:45QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Jul 13 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>But I like how Brits hurl insults, it doesnt sound vulgar at all, but it gets the meaning across.
Thing is, why say 'fantastic' when you could just say 'nice'? One word has more meaning behind it. This is why you can't just say swear words instead of what you replace them with. -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 14:00:34
I like when the Brits/English talk in English-English, like they did in Austin Powers Goldmember. Or maybe the Cockney accent, it's one of my faves.
But in our language, what happens is, some substitute swear words become swear words themselves already. And sometimes old swear words don't become swear words anymore hehe. Weird huh? -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 15:03:43
well yes of course... we have many synonyms for the same object, depending on the circumstances.
shit = feces = fecal matter = excrement = poop = crap = stool etc.
some ppl are sensitive to the world Shit and Fuck itself, so as long as they don't hear that "sound", they're OK. That's why you replace with something else with same meaning, because psychologically, they do not want to hear the word Fuck or Shit. -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 17:19:26
these days (or at least where i live) noone cares if you swear (except for teachers) and really im just to used to swearing haha
-
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 17:31:55
yea i think people care too much
the only negative connotation curse words carry is that that people give to them
i think if you're using the words in a non negative manner, then there shouldnt be a problem -
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 19:37:50
BTW is hell and crap considered swear words?
-
Date: Sun, Jul 13 2008 20:10:21
I don't consider crap as a swear word...
But hell has religious meanings behind it which makes it a more vulgar word. -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 10:49:46QUOTE (Shadowserpant @ Jul 14 2008, 01:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>yea i think people care too much
the only negative connotation curse words carry is that that people give to them
i think if you're using the words in a non negative manner, then there shouldnt be a problem
How is calling someone a dickhead not negative.gif)
-
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 11:18:19
"Heyyyyyy my awesome little dick head! How yo doin"
Thats how. -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 11:20:15
hey
don't swear
so you won't need any substitutions
:> -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 11:23:16
Damn is considered a offensive word. It's easily substituted with darn, dayum etc.
Does anyone know why? -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 11:39:39
because damn carries the same religious connotation as hell. eg. "damn them to hell"
although i would never really consider it a swear word. -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 11:55:58
Damn is considered more offensive than hell because it's censored in some games, whereas hell is not.
-
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 21:06:47
Words will always be evolving. Not more than 20 years ago, words like "bitch", "ass", "damn", and "hell" weren't even allowed on TV in the States. And the States are very well known for censorship! Taking this to mind, I think that euphemisms are okay although I do get kind of concerned when I hear an 8 year old girl saying stuff like "I don't like this crap." I'm still kind of traditional in that sense but I think once you're old enough to understand the meaning and consequences of saying such words, it's okay.
Euphemisms are helpful in public situations, that's why the exist in the first place. The way we speak has been increasingly casual so the way we speak has been evolving. It also depends on the situation. You mentioned stubbing your toe and normally anyone will say some sort of exclamation and Western culture has taught us to use a swear word to express our pain. Since I'm Chinese I can either use a swear word or just a simple "aiyah" but it shows you how culture has taught us how to react to certain situations. We, children of culture, all know what you mean and it's up to the individual to take offense or not. -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 22:18:12
Liberal attitudes mean that previously offensive swear words have lost most of their impact. Now, it is not uncommon if I hear them being used in casual talk. To me, someone who repeatedly uses swear words in conversation (online, in person, wherever) is undereducated and immature.
-
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 22:58:02QUOTE (Tialys @ Jul 14 2008, 06:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>To me, someone who repeatedly uses swear words in conversation (online, in person, wherever) is undereducated and immature.
This is a little off-topic, but I want to hear your thoughts on this:
I heard this one story from my speech professor that he once had this student that was from the northeastern region of the US, I think New York. That student would always insert some vulgar word like "shit", "fuck", etc. in his sentences and it caused irritation amongst his classmates. People thought that he was doing it on purpose but it turns out that's how he talks normally and apparently how it was done around him while he was growing up. Once the professor confronted the student about this, he tried to change the way he spoke.
Tialys, what do you think about those kind of people? -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 23:14:59QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Jul 14 2008, 02:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>How is calling someone a dickhead not negative
obviously "Fuck you" is negative.
but around some old fashioned adults, you could stub your toe and say "Oh shit!" and it's somehow offensive to them. I think they need to realize that times are changing and as it does, so does our language -
Date: Mon, Jul 14 2008 23:21:59QUOTE (Tialys @ Jul 14 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Liberal attitudes mean that previously offensive swear words have lost most of their impact. Now, it is not uncommon if I hear them being used in casual talk. To me, someone who repeatedly uses swear words in conversation (online, in person, wherever) is undereducated and immature.
I have to disagree with you here Tialys. Myself and many of my friends swear a lot yet most of us are reasonably clever.QUOTEI heard this one story from my speech professor that he once had this student that was from the northeastern region of the US, I think New York. That student would always insert some vulgar word like "shit", "fuck", etc. in his sentences and it caused irritation amongst his classmates. People thought that he was doing it on purpose but it turns out that's how he talks normally and apparently how it was done around him while he was growing up
This sounds like about 1/4 of college students I've met... -
Date: Tue, Jul 15 2008 00:17:39QUOTE (Eso @ Jul 14 2008, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This is a little off-topic, but I want to hear your thoughts on this:
I heard this one story from my speech professor that he once had this student that was from the northeastern region of the US, I think New York. That student would always insert some vulgar word like "shit", "fuck", etc. in his sentences and it caused irritation amongst his classmates. People thought that he was doing it on purpose but it turns out that's how he talks normally and apparently how it was done around him while he was growing up. Once the professor confronted the student about this, he tried to change the way he spoke.
Tialys, what do you think about those kind of people?
Same. Use swear words to express anger. If you constantly use them as placeholders for nouns/adjectives/verbs then you are adversely influencing other people's impressions of you, as in the case you mentioned. To me, relying on swear words arises from a lack of ability to express oneself, which in turn is caused by immaturity or poor education. You don't see white-collar employees cursing nearly as much as blue-collar workers, hockey players, and so on. Even if you only cuss among friends/family, it's still generally not a good habit to get into. I'd place swear words lower than informal speech.
-
Date: Tue, Jul 15 2008 00:36:15
Words are words, mother fucker.
-
Date: Tue, Jul 15 2008 00:45:13QUOTE (Tialys @ Jul 14 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Same. Use swear words to express anger. If you constantly use them as placeholders for nouns/adjectives/verbs then you are adversely influencing other people's impressions of you, as in the case you mentioned. To me, relying on swear words arises from a lack of ability to express oneself, which in turn is caused by immaturity or poor education. You don't see white-collar employees cursing nearly as much as blue-collar workers, hockey players, and so on. Even if you only cuss among friends/family, it's still generally not a good habit to get into. I'd place swear words lower than informal speech.
inability to express oneself? i think it's just expressing oneself in a different way. True, some people just go way over the top. But i feel that in some cases it is neccessary to portray whatever it is you're trying to -
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 02:42:49QUOTE (Eso @ Jul 15 2008, 06:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This is a little off-topic, but I want to hear your thoughts on this:
I heard this one story from my speech professor that he once had this student that was from the northeastern region of the US, I think New York. That student would always insert some vulgar word like "shit", "fuck", etc. in his sentences and it caused irritation amongst his classmates. People thought that he was doing it on purpose but it turns out that's how he talks normally and apparently how it was done around him while he was growing up. Once the professor confronted the student about this, he tried to change the way he spoke.
Tialys, what do you think about those kind of people?
In my high school, we swore all the time. I don't really swear, but when I get together with my high school friends, I sometimes can't help but swear also. It's like we greet each other with swear words, "Long time no see you M...f...er!!!!" This one friend, who is probably the biggest swearer I know, swears like that because they talk like that at home as far as I know. His parents and grandparents say bad words in front of the children in the family. One time he was on the phone and the one on the other line heard him swear at his then 6 year old brother. What a f*cked up family lol. It can turn into a bad habit that can really be hard to get rid of. -
Date: Mon, Aug 11 2008 21:54:24QUOTE (Tialys @ Jul 14 2008, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Same. Use swear words to express anger. If you constantly use them as placeholders for nouns/adjectives/verbs then you are adversely influencing other people's impressions of you, as in the case you mentioned. To me, relying on swear words arises from a lack of ability to express oneself, which in turn is caused by immaturity or poor education. You don't see white-collar employees cursing nearly as much as blue-collar workers, hockey players, and so on. Even if you only cuss among friends/family, it's still generally not a good habit to get into. I'd place swear words lower than informal speech.
This is pretty much my exact view and what I tell other people when they swear TOO much. Since i don't swear very often, when i do it's for good reason. although it does depend on the company you're in. -
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 01:33:22QUOTE (Tialys @ Jul 14 2008, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>blue-collar workers, hockey players,
I take this in high offense, my uncle is a lumber jack and he maybe says damn once a month, he is very respectful around people. I play hockey and I don't swear unless it's on the internet. -
Date: Sun, Aug 24 2008 04:13:31
I've noticed that I find it really uncomfortable being around those who get mad and swear. However, those who use substitutes, I can be more friendly to. A lot of my friends use fake words for swearing substitutes, like schnazz for shit. I find that amusing and being their friend more enjoyable
