What's the deal with swearing, cussing, or using otherwise "bad" language in JC?

[nick]

What's the deal with swearing, cussing, or using otherwise "bad" language in JC?

I mean, do people care If I occasionaly use 4 letter words? (and you know which ones I'm talking about).

can I use them where needed? For instance in my post in the "FSU" thread, I stated a diffrent possibility for what FSU would stand for. This is not something I made up, I was being factual, and I did not censor myself. I got bad rep for it, so I'm wondering if this is the general concensus of the community.

Are some words ok, and others not? Is just the F-bomb banned? Are we going by those rediculously vague FCC regulations? (I do a radio show, so I know).

Personally, I'm against censoring things here. If there's a need to drop the F - bomb, go for it. Use common sense when posting. If someone goes overboard, maybe let them know that theres no need for a post brimming with obscenities. Also, when you do start swearing excessivly, those words loose their impact. (I'm pretty sure that's happened to me by this point, at least when speaking.)

[Naomi]

What's the deal with swearing, cussing, or using otherwise "bad" language in JC?


Pretty obvious really: there are kids who read the forum. I cannot understand why there is any need at all to cuss/swear in here. The English language is well capable of expressing any shade of meaning without resorting to swearing, and the posts are better for it.

It probably won't be long though before the PC and human rights brigade assert their "rights" to swear anywhere they feel like. :-)


Nao

[kington99]

Obscenities are used occassionally without reprimand, but it does seem only fair to those adults who are trying to let their children interact with other children and adults somewhere safe on the internet to keep it to a minimum so they don't have to be on the look out for it. After all, this is a very family orientated sport/pastime with a wide age range appeal, and the forum should reflect that. Also it stops huge, non-sensical flame wars, people have to atleast criticise each other in an intelligent way. Just imagine reading out your post to an 8 year-old kid before you submit it, because doubtless some parent is going to have their kids asking what those words mean tonight if you leave them in.

[gollum89]

Pretty obvious really: there are kids who read the forum.Nao
Wow, Kids that swear themselves anyway!!!!!!

[Beener]

I agree totally. If you have even the slightest amount of knowledge, the english language is more that equiped to express any feeling at all. I see no need to swear in JC or any other forum here. :D

[nick]

Although so far it seems like many people are in favor of keeping this fourm as clean as possible, let m e ask a few more questions.

what about when it comes to quotes? (I ask this due to the recent prevalance of favorite quote / lyric threads).

Or names, or nick names, or quoting what people say.

is it OK if we provide a disclaimer before the thread? how about before the post?

Also, I'm pretty sure that nearly 100% of kids out there (exceptions being home over protected schooled kids) have been exposed to almost all forms of derogatory language by the time they enter highschool, usually much earlier. (but that doesn't mean we need to contribute, I suppose).

Once again, I'm just trying to get a handle on all this.

[dudewithasock]

1. what about when it comes to quotes? (I ask this due to the recent prevalance of favorite quote / lyric threads).

2. Or names, or nick names, or quoting what people say.

3. is it OK if we provide a disclaimer before the thread? how about before the post?

Me personally:

1. I'm gonna say yes to this, because otherwise, it ruins the quote. Sorta reflects my view on music censorship; either sell it uncensored, or don't sell it at all.

2. Well if you consider calling someone a "F*ing retard" a nickname, then no. But if someone's nickname is actually "F*ing retard", then go ahead and humor them until they get banned for being a "F*ing retard".

3. This seems like the best option to me. It's the same with those tags, which means "Not Work Safe" if you didn't know. They get posted before links that contain perhaps a bit racey material, such as certain videos, jokes, or pictures. Maybe a new one could be , or "Not Child Safe". I'm just throwing ideas out there, bite 'em if you will.

[burjzyntski]

I think a simple disclaimer, something along the lines of "WARNING: Profanity ahead," would suffice. I understand that there are not only children that read these fora, but also people that object to such language (i.e. "biblethumpers", conservatives, etc.). I limit my profanity in real-life, and rarely, if ever, use any on the forums, even though I see no actual need for profanity (it's true, the English language contains plenty of words that can be susbsituted for naughty words).

Has anyone else noticed the increase in profanity amongst pre-teens? I think it's incredibly sad that television (MTV in particular) has corrupted the minds of the young and no-longer-so innocent.

We should limit and/or censor profanity (with asterisks) on these forums, but it's really not anything that kids aren't exposed to everyday :rolleyes:

[yoopers]

I don't appreciate profanity or vulgarity of any sort in the forums but that's just me. I used to rail against it when it appeared but I've long since given up on admonishments. Now I just appreciate the conversations more that are absent of vulgarity. Nick, I really appreciate your inquiry. Very courteous to ask. Thanks.

Apart from my personal convictions, I agree with Naomi. Our forums are a great place to converse and exchange information and in my opinion, vulgarity tends to place limits on the use of the forums for some and taints the professionalism that we seem to have over other fora elsewhere.

Yes, my kids are exposed to cussin' and other things during their days at school and public life. But attending school is somewhat mandatory here and home schooling is not an option for us at the moment. If we have a choice, we choose to avoid enviroments where we are exposed to such things. In that, our forums are a much more pleasant place for us if vulgarity is absent.

Bruce

[James_Potter]

well, I knew the other meaning for FSU too, but I didn't post it...I almost never use swear words on this forum. because they're rude, and unnecessary.

[habbywall]

good choice james, as for me, yes i have been introduced to swear words but i chose not to use them, after all they don't really have a point, I think that if you are going to swear what you can do is put the word in a text that is the same color as the background then you only read the work if you really want, I think that would work much better then some of the things already discussed in this thread

[unigamer]

... I think that if you are going to swear what you can do is put the word in a text that is the same color as the background then you only read the work if you really want, I think that would work much better then some of the things already discussed in this thread


Remember that unicyclist.com is not the only way to view RSU, it can be viewed in other ways that don't support formatting so colouring text is not as effective as completely censoring it.

[cathwood]

As it is an all age forum I support the idea of no swearing.

Although I agree there is a place for swearing, it is not here. For adults it is amongst other adults and for kids, well ...

Yes I understand that young people swear but there is a thing called 'modelling' which suggests that adults should engage in the kind of behaviour that they would like to see in others.

Cathy

[Seager]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.

[yoopers]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.
Seager,

Neat perspective. I agree. I wish swear words had no offensive meaning. They are just words after all. Unfortunately, they are swear words by some categorization invented somewhere along the line. Someone much smarter than me would have to tell you where the whole thing originated and why one word is considered a swear word and another is not. But the fact is, they do exist in all their colorful glory. Gotta be at least in part that ol' societal acceptance thing. Maybe societies determine what is acceptable and what is not. My perspective? Since I live in a society where certain words are considered profanity, I accept the fact that they exist and accept them as such.

Bruce

[dudewithasock]

If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous.

You must not be around high school children much.

The exacty process you described is currently in full gear in my neck of the woods. The F word is used so often now by my peers that it basically has lost its harsh undertones entirely. It's even spreading into the adult realm as well; my mom is not afraid to use it a lot around us at all. I'm around words like that so often now, it seems like they just don't have nearly the stigma that they used to carry.

[swarbrim]

Has anyone else noticed the increase in profanity amongst pre-teens? I think it's incredibly sad that television (MTV in particular) has corrupted the minds of the young and no-longer-so innocent.

We should limit and/or censor profanity (with asterisks) on these forums, but it's really not anything that kids aren't exposed to everyday :rolleyes:


I have not (i think) ever swore in here, all i have ever done is quoted some one who did and said it was unnecessary. I do not like being talked down to i am pretty certain i am capable of having an intellectual conversation with someone. I agree I am exposed to violence and profanity but then i react with the 'polite english chap' routine. Basically I try to calm them down and perhaps patronise them a little.

I am not ignorant I am taught well and resent comments of inadequacy because of my age. (i do not watch much TV)

Mike

[DK]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.

Hellz yez

But people use fuck, etc. commonly, at least in my part of the woods, its evil-ness has become archaric to most people excpet the regulars: Police, conservative chruch goin' Christians and some others.

[cathwood]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.

I understand what you're saying but that could apply to any word and any situation. Swear words are swear words because enough people have used them to imply violence or hatred towards other people. They are meant to be offensive, that's why people say them.

'Unicycle' is just a word. Yet all of us on this forum know what it means. Exactly what it means, what it implies and what you do with them. Same with swear words. We all know what they mean (at least I hope no one is going round saying things without knowing what they mean) and what they are for. They are meant to be violent/to offend and so on.

I swear in extreme situations. There are so many words in the English language that I don't understand why you would use those particular words if you don't mean to shock/offend/express yourself in an extreme situation and so on when you know that is what the words are for.

Enough of us get offended if unis are called bikes, or we are called clowns. yet they are just words too. That's the trouble with words. It's all in the meaning.

(end of lecture)

Cathy

[fishnchipsx2]

Enough of us get offended if unis are called b*kes, or we are called cl*wns.
aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggghhh!!! http://www.iamviet.com/forum/images/smilies/smilie_pop_eyes.gif you said the 2 bad words in one sentence!

anyhoo, me thinks that 'swear words' are a part of the english language that should not be killed off. just make sure that ya use 'em properly and appropiately - and don't overuse them as space fillers.

i heard that gilby was going to allow either threads or boards to be rated, and you can choose to have them hidden from you if you so desire.

[nick]

A few people have made some great points here.

I totally agree that in certian circles, the F-bomb, amongst other words of the same variety, are over used to the point where they lose all meaning. I'm guilty of this to a lesser extent, I wish I used words like this less, so they really had "punch" when I actually did use them. I have friends who rarely swear, when they do, it's like "WOW", you know something big happened.

I also agree that words are just words, and they only have meaning that you give them. like it or not, society has given ,the words in question, the meanings and connotations they have.

It's up to adults to keep kids safe on the internet. I'm sure most peolpe on here are doing just that (It really does seem that people on here with kids seem to do a great job of raising them, although I'm mostly basing this on Bruce, who seems very commendable). I guess the point is that they'd like this to be a place that is safe for kids, as perceived by the parents.

My view of what kids should be exposed to is probably vastly diffrent than most peoples. (... I plan on never having kids).

I certianly agree that swearing has no place in RSU. This does bring up the interesting point that that RSU and JC are diffrent fourms. RSU is the only fourm accesable via the mailing list, so while the changing fonts thing may not work for that, it wouldn't matter, as those viewing by email can't read JC anyways.

I don't really think this thread is going to ever produce any kind of a community concensus on language use. I am, however, getting a pretty good idea of how members feel, and I'll let that guide my future posts. Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far.

[maestro8]

anyhoo, me thinks that 'swear words' are a part of the english language that should not be killed off. just make sure that ya use 'em properly and appropiately - and don't overuse them as space fillers.
My problem with swear words is that I feel they kill any creativity one may have in expressing him/herself. The words f*** and s*** have been used so much they've developed many different meanings (just listen to George Carlin's "Dirty Words" sketch)... whereas those "meanings" could be expressed more clearly and vividly with so many other words.

Just one small example. You hear someone tell another to "f*** off" when they're angry with that person. But don't you think phrases like "go sit on a tack" or "go take a long walk off a short pier" are much more graphic and convey one's wishes that another is dispatched to some unpleasant experience?

Honestly, the best "swearing" I've heard involves no swear words at all... give this tell-off a read (http://www.angelfire.com/bc/rbp/joke/riverman.htm) (no swear words) for example... it's been circulating the Internet forever and then some in various forms.

[Tim Morin]

I don't see any need for swearing here either. Swearing should be reserved for a select audience only. Someone in here said that swears are only bad because we say so. True. People make it clear what words they think are "bad". And by doing so, they are probably saying that it offends them. So, it seems as though it comes down to respect.

Some swears are bad right from their origin. I won't write it here, but if you need to know, investigate the origin of the word F**K. There's good reason why this word is "bad".

[jsm]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.

If the F-Word is just a word, then it should only be used to refer to what it actually means. Expression like "wtf" and "****ing retard" often become totally meaningless and idiotic when you consider the meaning of the word. Imagine how different bodily functions would sound if used the way the F-word is. "What the saliva is going on?" or "You're a digesting idiot." or "It's inhaling hot today." These expressions are obviously meaningless. The sole purpose of the F-word, at least before it became as common as "like" was to add emphasis by offending someone's sensibilities.

[Seager]

The f word and many other swear words becoming common place is simply the evolution of the language. I don't think swearing kills creativity or your understanding of the language, it simply changes the language. I work in a kitchen and we "swear" very often if not constantly - however, swearing has rules like any other part of language and it's own syntax. If Ebonics can be considered a dialect that so should swearing.

Yoopers made a good point at the end of the last page and I agee, if one wants to exist and function in a certain society that you must follow those rules. The current mainstream society's rules say that swearing is bad. I think that society needs to rethink their archaic rules but I still obey them. I don't swear infront of daytime customers in my resteruant (soccer moms, etc) but I do swear infront of the late night college crowd and they swear back. You have to play by the rules of the society you are in at the time if you don't want to be offensive.

I hope that the current stuffy, "polite" society will be phased out and replaced with a society that doesn't believe that swear words are bad and then this whole problem will go away. That will take awhile, however, and until then I have to play by their rules even if I think they are asinine.

It's like a phobia. If someone is irrationaly afraid of snakes I'm not going to throw snakes at them. Likewise, if someone is irrationaly afraid of swear words I'm not going to throw those at them either.

[dudewithasock]

Honestly, the best "swearing" I've heard involves no swear words at all... give this tell-off a read (http://www.angelfire.com/bc/rbp/joke/riverman.htm) (no swear words) for example... it's been circulating the Internet forever and then some in various forms.

Heh, that's creativity if I ever saw it.

[Catboy]

I love fucking swear words, they are an excellent way to add emphasis, and are really quite versatile, as nouns, verbs, adjectives/adverbs and as many other parts of speech as you can think of(there are 7).

The bad thing about them, is that they are mostly used in a derogatory manner, however, I see no problem with them being peppered into sentences for emphasis. IE:

"Hello Peggy, isn't it a fucking beautiful day?"
"Oh yes John, it is."

Instead of using "really" it can be replaced with "fucking". Much better in my opinon.


But in all seriousness. There really is a time and place for everything, and while it may be right to say DamnFuckShitAss sometimes, it isn't other times...

However, I feel that the offence should really be treated lightly, because it's only letters.

[Gilby]

Huh? did you say something, or was that just a bunch of letters with no meaning? Oh yeah, it's only letters. Not a means of communication... of interpretation, or expression. It's only letters.

Let's all just start barking... no point in actually communicating, as... it's just letters.

[boo radley]

i agree with gilby, communication is so overrated.

shit piss fuck cunt cock sucker motherfucker tits.

[Naomi]

I love fucking swear words, they are an excellent way to add emphasis, and are really quite versatile, as nouns, verbs, adjectives/adverbs and as many other parts of speech as you can think of(there are 7).
times...

U][/B]

Apart from the kids/forums aspect, the swear word and its profligate usage is maybe yet one more sad reflection of our modern times. To me, hearing people pepper their sentences with copious F - words is merely a sign that their communication range is severely limited, and that the content will probably not be worth extracting. It is hard for me not to regard them either as uneducated morons, or as people who are intentionally using the words as shock tactics, to react against society. To some the f-word becomes a ubiquitous, almost mandatory, adjective. If they are unable to express themselves adequately, they throw in a few F-words and that'll do nicely, thank you very much. In a formal setting they resort to replacing the F-word with "Y' know warra mean?". It can be quite eye-opening to count just how many times some celebrities and sports 'personalities' use such phrases. You may well run out of fingers in a two minute interview.
As another poster has said, a swear word coming from one who very, very rarely swears often has a dramatic effect and as such maybe serves a useful purpose. When every sentence uttered contains it, the swear word has no effect at all other that to reflect upon the person using it. It causes others to have less regard for, and to take less notice of what they say. As regards being versatile, hardly: how can you convey manifold shades of meaning with the f-word? When people use the word in every sentence, their ability to emphasize anything disappears in the mist. They are one voice in a noisy football crowd, no one hears what they say, their words become one grey mush.
They becomes equivalent to a juggler whose only trick is "eat the apple", or a unicyclist who can hop but not ride, or indeed do anything else on the unicycle. They restrict themselves, remove from themselves the pleasures of language, and society suffers and is denigrated as a result.
A swear word used to be a way of saying "look at me, what I am saying is important." Now it gets the opposite result, no one turns a hair. The meaning has been watered down so much there is no taste left.


Nao

[maestro8]

Let's all just start barking...
http://www.pageaday.com/images/faq-help-privacy/faq-photo.jpg

[cathwood]

Some of us are already barking.:D

Cathy

[chosen]

I mean, do people care If I occasionaly use 4 letter words?


i do. my ignore list is growing so i recommend if people dont like someone they just add 'em to it. dig that

[Mikefule]

In day to day life, my language is appalling. I swear more than most educated people I know - and sometimes with considerable vulgarity. It is a bad habit.

There is an essential difference between speaking and writing. Speech is spontaneous. Writing has to be published - in the case of an internet forum, by pushing the "Submit" button. With writing, you have time to select your words, and to make the rhythm of the sentences right. There is never any need to swear.

In speech, you might say, "B***ard, I'm f***ing annoyed with that *wa*.

In writing, you have time to reflect and use the entire majesty of the language. Done well, this adds weight and sometimes humour to what you have to say. You can range from the ironic "Dash it all, you chaps!" or the "By jove!" through to the more formal, "I am appalled and disgusted, and find this reprehensible."

But should you?

Well, who reads this forum? Not just the 50 or so regular posters. A spot check of Members List shows 318 people visited this forum today or yesterday. As I'm writing this at 1:43 a.m., that's probably 300 people in 24 hours. We don't know all of those people. Some may come from different cultures (assuming the bulk of the regular membership to be Anglo-American) where attitudes to profanity etc. are significantly different.

No one wants censorship. However, with freedom of speech goes the responsibility to bear in mind who is listening.

The defendant, accused of assault, said to the judge, "It's a free country, I can put my fist where I want."

The judge replied, "In a free country, your freedom to put your fist where you would like is limited by the next man's right to put his jaw where he likes."

Or, as a very fine song says, "Let every man so pitch his song, to help his neighbour sing along."

You might think there is nothing wrong with swearing, and I might agree with you. However, if there is no need to do it, then why cause unnecessary offence? If there is a need to do it, then maybe it's time to pause and reflect.

[BluntRM]

Supreme Court debates 'F-word' without using it (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/244/story/55255.html)

WASHINGTON - A clearly divided Supreme Court on Tuesday debated indecent language for an hour without anyone using the words in question.

Circumlocutions like "the F-word" and "the S-word" sufficed as the court considered the year's highest-profile free-speech controversy. All signs now point to a tight decision over whether broadcasters can be fined for allowing use of so-called "fleeting expletives," which are swear words used in passing.

The court's conservative justices showed sympathy for the Federal Communications Commission members who want to punish broadcasters. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia denounced the "coarsening" effect of swearing, while Chief Justice John Roberts warned about "impressionable children" being harmed by inherently dirty words.

"Why do you think the F-word has shocking value?" Robert asked rhetorically. "It's because it's associated with sexual or excretory activity; that's what gives it its force."

Added Scalia, "that's what gives it its' zing."

But other justices sounded more willing to tolerate the occasional swear word, with Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, a Navy veteran, noting that sometimes "you can't help but laugh" at how a swear word is deployed. More pointedly, some justices suggested the FCC's stern new swear words policy came about arbitrarily.

"There seems to be no rhyme or reason with some of the changes the commission has made," Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said.

The dispute in the case called FCC v. Fox Television Stations centers on two questions. The broader one is whether regulators violate First Amendment free speech rights by fining broadcasters for an occasional swear word. The other question is narrower, and it might be the only one the court actually decides: whether the FCC acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in changing its policy about indecent language in 2004.

"It was, at a minimum, a rational policy choice," Solicitor General Gregory Garre insisted.

Loosening indecency standards, Garre warned ominously, could lead to "Big Bird dropping the F-bomb on Sesame Street."

Attorney Carter Phillips, representing Fox Television Stations, retorted that "there was no explanation" for the FCC's policy change.

The policy change in question arose following a live 2003 broadcast of the "Golden Globe Awards," when the lead singer Bono from the Irish rock ban U-2 declared his award was "really, really, (blank)ing brilliant." During the 2003 Billboard Music Award, quasi-celebrity Nicole Richie declared "it's not so (blank)ing simple" to remove "cow (blank) out of a Prada purse."

And during the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, Cher celebrated by denouncing her myriad doubters.

"I've also had critics for the last 40 years saying that I was on my way out every year. Right." the Fresno High School dropout originally known as Cherilyn Sarkisian said. "So (blank) 'em. I still have a job and they don't."

FCC career staffers initially considered such language the kind of passing expletive, drained of sexual content, that's been grudgingly accepted for the past three decades. This reasoning dates back to a mid-1970s Supreme Court decision, involving comedian George Carlin, in which the court determined that "isolated use of a potentially offensive word" differs from the "verbal shock treatment" of profane repetition

The politically appointed FCC, then reversed the staff decision and declared that even a fleeting reference to what the commission called "the F-word" could be deemed unacceptable. The fines for broadcasters could potentially reach as high as $325,000.

"It's one of the most vulgar, graphic and explicit words for sexual activity," Garre told the Court.

Countered Stevens, "that's a word that is often used with no reference to sexual connotations."

A court decision is expected by next June.

[thejdw]

how much would you swear if you were talking to somebody you had just met?

[kington99]

how much would you swear if you were talking to somebody you had just met?


depends on who they are, in some cases quite a lot

[dudewithasock]

If my first meeting with them involved, say, a car accident that was clearly their fault, then yeah, probably.

[JJuggle]

how much would you swear if you were talking to somebody you had just met?
It depends.

Upon being introduced to somebody new at my congregation I wouldn't swear at all.

At my Thursday night porn video viewing and discussion club it's a different matter.

[thejdw]

It depends.

Upon being introduced to somebody new at my congregation I wouldn't swear at all.

When at my Thursday night porn video viewing and discussion club it's a different matter.

Then it comes down to this; are we congergation folk, or thursday night porn video disscussing folk?

[Kayso]

The problem I have with swear words is that I don't believe they exist.

I refuse to think that one word is any worse than any other word just because someone says it is. I think that the public stigma against swearing is idiotic and people need to lighten up. IT'S JUST A WORD PEOPLE! The ONLY reason that the words are bad is because people say they are. Words have no inherent evil or offensiveness. If you never told a kid that saying the F word was bad, and they said it every day, THEY WOULD BE JUST FINE! Swear words wouldn't even exist if people would stop being so afraid of those words. The F-word would simply become a harmless word if people stopped saying it was dangrous. It's a problem that only exists because people let it exist.

That being said, I can respect that it bothers people and don't use those words as much as possible (here), HOWEVER, I think that being bothered by those words is silly and archaic. If you believe the earth is round than you should be smart enough to not care about swear words. I just don't get why people continue to let it be a problem.


I agree with you. that idea sounds a little nihilistic. And I favor that philosophy. :cool:

[JJuggle]

Then it comes down to this; are we congergation folk, or thursday night porn video disscussing folk?
I like the way you think.

I would have to say the former, though I do have to beg for forgiveness once in a while.

[thejdw]

I like the way you think.

I would have to say the former, though I do have to beg for forgiveness once in a while.

I think dudewithasock would have to be the exception though

[dudewithasock]

I think dudewithasock would have to be the exception though

;)

[BillyTheMountain]

I like the way you think.

I would have to say the former, though I do have to beg for forgiveness once in a while.

Cant we be BOTH? Heck, it's Thursday night!! Lets be porn video folk!

Can you really like the way he thinks just by looking at the end product?

[thejdw]

Can you really like the way he thinks just by looking at the end product?

Its what is said that counts :cool:

[1-wheeled-grape]

haha good old Thursday :D
I always check my posts, and only swear while speaking... which is still pretty often. Also by writing well here I've improved in English and my writing, because I check and try to prevent mistakes more often.

[BillyTheMountain]

Its what is said that counts :cool:

That's what I think too.

It doesn't matter how he thinks (sloppy, lengthy, slow fast bumpy), as long as it produces something I like.

[BillyTheMountain]

haha good old Thursday :D
I always check my posts, and only swear while speaking... which is still pretty often. Also by writing well here I've improved in English and my writing, because I check and try to prevent mistakes more often.

Yes, for someone not born here in America, you write English pretty good. Keep it up, and soon no one can tell.

[critter]

The worst word in america is the ''N'' word. I know it is mostly hate but it can be used in fun and loving ways. It seems only black people can use it.

It reminds me of a South Episode. The "N"guy:D

[Michaelgoround]

I personally don't like cursing at all and ask people I hang around a lot not to use it around me.

[JJuggle]

I personally don't like cursing at all and ask people I hang around a lot not to use it around me.
How do they react to your requests?

[Michaelgoround]

How do they react to your requests?
Most are cool with it, and usually try to fufill my request.
Of course most of the people i hang out with out of school don't cuss any way.

[JJuggle]

Most are cool with it, and usually try to fufill my request.
That's good.

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

The worst word in america is the ''N'' word. I know it is mostly hate but it can be used in fun and loving ways. It seems only black people can use it.

It reminds me of a South Episode. The "N"guy:D

Not the only worst word and not only in America... and you can use it without being a love word or a hate word. Just like people can call gays 'fags' and 'dykes', like "what's wrong with the fags?".
you know? but I still don't say it much (n-word).


On a similar topic... The Niggar Family!
YouTube - Chappelle's Show - The N***** Family

[SHAY_CAM]

What's the deal with swearing, cussing, or using otherwise "bad" language in JC?

I mean, do people care If I occasionaly use 4 letter words? (and you know which ones I'm talking about).

can I use them where needed? For instance in my post in the "FSU" thread, I stated a diffrent possibility for what FSU would stand for. This is not something I made up, I was being factual, and I did not censor myself. I got bad rep for it, so I'm wondering if this is the general concensus of the community.

Are some words ok, and others not? Is just the F-bomb banned? Are we going by those rediculously vague FCC regulations? (I do a radio show, so I know).

Personally, I'm against censoring things here. If there's a need to drop the F - bomb, go for it. Use common sense when posting. If someone goes overboard, maybe let them know that theres no need for a post brimming with obscenities. Also, when you do start swearing excessivly, those words loose their impact. (I'm pretty sure that's happened to me by this point, at least when speaking.)


Why did you make a thread for this?

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

It was made a long time ago.
Sometimes people just pointlessly swear a lot and it's stupid and sometimes people get way over-reactive about it and flip out for occaisonal cusses.

[peleschramm]

Not the only worst word and not only in America... and you can use it without being a love word or a hate word. Just like people can call gays 'fags' and 'dykes', like "what's wrong with the fags?".
you know? but I still don't say it much (n-word).


On a similar topic... The Niggar Family!
YouTube - Chappelle's Show - The N***** Family (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc6yLmQjyPo)

Ace.

[SHAY_CAM]

It was made a long time ago.
Sometimes people just pointlessly swear a lot and it's stupid and sometimes people get way over-reactive about it and flip out for occaisonal cusses.

Oh, i just didnt think there should be a thread dedicated to it. But maybe.

[dudewithasock]

Just like people can call gays 'fags' and 'dykes', like "what's wrong with the fags?".
you know? but I still don't say it much (n-word).

They can? This is news to me. I thought that was considered offensive.

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

if you call me a fag as an insult, I'll suck out your eyes, chew on them and spit them out in your face.
if you call me a fag as just a word, I'll be like "o, cool".

There would be some gays that would be insulted though so I wouldn't say it to a queer person who I didn't know well.

[dudewithasock]

I would think it's one of those words that only homosexuals could say to each other, like the enn word for black people.

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

Ghettosmurf once posted something like "let the fags be happy".
Maybe it's just me, but that changes the meaning of fag.
But I wouldn't go around calling black people "my nigga" cuz I'm not black so I do see where you're coming from.

[dudewithasock]

Hm, guess it depends on the fag. :p

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

OMG, YOU JERK!
NEVER say that again!!

[SHAY_CAM]

OMG, YOU JERK!
NEVER say that again!!

Hahaha.

[dudewithasock]

OMG, YOU JERK!
NEVER say that again!!

:eek::(

[dan de man]

Pretty obvious really: there are kids who read the forum. I cannot understand why there is any need at all to cuss/swear in here. The English language is well capable of expressing any shade of meaning without resorting to swearing, and the posts are better for it.

It probably won't be long though before the PC and human rights brigade assert their "rights" to swear anywhere they feel like. :-)


Nao

we need a sticky of all posts like this

[thejdw]

Keep it up, and soon no one can tell.

Why would he want people to think he’s American? He’d inherit the stupidity sigma. :rolleyes:

[BluntRM]

I was actually just threadjacking an old thread instead of putting out a new one. Nine grown adults, Supreme Court Justices, discussed the "F-word" as a matter of ethics without actually saying the word once. I'm thoroughly entertained that the highest court in the United States is discussing potty mouth as a serious constitutional issue. Hilarity ensues.


Supreme Court debates 'F-word' without using it (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/244/story/55255.html)

WASHINGTON - A clearly divided Supreme Court on Tuesday debated indecent language for an hour without anyone using the words in question.

Circumlocutions like "the F-word" and "the S-word" sufficed as the court considered the year's highest-profile free-speech controversy. All signs now point to a tight decision over whether broadcasters can be fined for allowing use of so-called "fleeting expletives," which are swear words used in passing.

The court's conservative justices showed sympathy for the Federal Communications Commission members who want to punish broadcasters. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia denounced the "coarsening" effect of swearing, while Chief Justice John Roberts warned about "impressionable children" being harmed by inherently dirty words.

"Why do you think the F-word has shocking value?" Robert asked rhetorically. "It's because it's associated with sexual or excretory activity; that's what gives it its force."

Added Scalia, "that's what gives it its' zing."

But other justices sounded more willing to tolerate the occasional swear word, with Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, a Navy veteran, noting that sometimes "you can't help but laugh" at how a swear word is deployed. More pointedly, some justices suggested the FCC's stern new swear words policy came about arbitrarily.

"There seems to be no rhyme or reason with some of the changes the commission has made," Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said.

The dispute in the case called FCC v. Fox Television Stations centers on two questions. The broader one is whether regulators violate First Amendment free speech rights by fining broadcasters for an occasional swear word. The other question is narrower, and it might be the only one the court actually decides: whether the FCC acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in changing its policy about indecent language in 2004.

"It was, at a minimum, a rational policy choice," Solicitor General Gregory Garre insisted.

Loosening indecency standards, Garre warned ominously, could lead to "Big Bird dropping the F-bomb on Sesame Street."

Attorney Carter Phillips, representing Fox Television Stations, retorted that "there was no explanation" for the FCC's policy change.

The policy change in question arose following a live 2003 broadcast of the "Golden Globe Awards," when the lead singer Bono from the Irish rock ban U-2 declared his award was "really, really, (blank)ing brilliant." During the 2003 Billboard Music Award, quasi-celebrity Nicole Richie declared "it's not so (blank)ing simple" to remove "cow (blank) out of a Prada purse."

And during the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, Cher celebrated by denouncing her myriad doubters.

"I've also had critics for the last 40 years saying that I was on my way out every year. Right." the Fresno High School dropout originally known as Cherilyn Sarkisian said. "So (blank) 'em. I still have a job and they don't."

FCC career staffers initially considered such language the kind of passing expletive, drained of sexual content, that's been grudgingly accepted for the past three decades. This reasoning dates back to a mid-1970s Supreme Court decision, involving comedian George Carlin, in which the court determined that "isolated use of a potentially offensive word" differs from the "verbal shock treatment" of profane repetition

The politically appointed FCC, then reversed the staff decision and declared that even a fleeting reference to what the commission called "the F-word" could be deemed unacceptable. The fines for broadcasters could potentially reach as high as $325,000.

"It's one of the most vulgar, graphic and explicit words for sexual activity," Garre told the Court.

Countered Stevens, "that's a word that is often used with no reference to sexual connotations."

A court decision is expected by next June.

[kington99]

There would be some gays that would be insulted though so I wouldn't say it to a queer person who I didn't know well.


yes and the same probably goes for 'queer'. And how do you know if they're gay before you chose your words?

[1-wheeled-grape]

Yes, for someone not born here in America, you write English pretty good. Keep it up, and soon no one can tell.
Do you mean to say that because I'm not American, you'd expect me to have poor English skills. Despite the fact I am English and speak English! I have better English than Americans for example colour, you spell that wrong every time! :D

[thejdw]

Do you mean to say that because I'm not American, you'd expect me to have poor English skills. Despite the fact I am English and speak English! I have better English than Americans for example colour, you spell that wrong every time! :D

You also can say data the correct way ;)

[1-wheeled-grape]

Very true! What else is there?

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

yes and the same probably goes for 'queer'. And how do you know if they're gay before you chose your words?

queer used to be offensive.
It could still be used offensivly but now it's mainly used amongst the gay community as a non-gender specific, self-indearing word for a homosexual or bisexual.
and I talk differently when I'm talking to strangers so I don't offend them.
And the way I find out someone's preferences in a non-intrusive sort of way is to point to a cute guy and ask them if they think he's hot.

[JJuggle]

queer used to be offensive.
It could still be used offensivly but now it's mainly used amongst the gay community as a non-gender specific, self-indearing word for a homosexual or bisexual.
and I talk differently when I'm talking to strangers so I don't offend them.
And the way I find out someone's preferences in a non-intrusive sort of way is to point to a cute guy and ask them if they think he's hot.
Queer has gone mainstream. I think specifically of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". Certainly the word can be uttered with such a display of contempt and disgust that it may still be filled with the hate it once had, but nowadays it is a pretty innocuous word.

[1wheelwonder]

down with swearing I say

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

Queer has gone mainstream. I think specifically of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". Certainly the word can be uttered with such a display of contempt and disgust that it may still be filled with the hate it once had, but nowadays it is a pretty innocuous word.

Ergh... I keep hearing about Queer Eye for the Straight Guy but I have no clue what that is.
I suppose I should stop being lazy and Wiki it.

[JJuggle]

Ergh... I keep hearing about Queer Eye for the Straight Guy but I have no clue what that is.
I suppose I should stop being lazy and Wiki it.
You're not really missing anything. We watched it a few times. What amazed me most from watching the show is that there are adult men who have to be taught how to shave.

[BillyTheMountain]

And the way I find out someone's preferences in a non-intrusive sort of way is to point to a cute guy and ask them if they think he's hot.

And if they say "no" you still don't know much about their preferences. If they punch you out, you get some idea.

If they say: I like bigger pecs and a rounder butt, he's a closeted straight.


Do you mean to say that because I'm not American, you'd expect me to have poor English skills. Despite the fact I am English and speak English! I have better English than Americans for example colour, you spell that wrong every time! :D

By dropping the unnecessary "u" in favour, colour, etc, we have saved billions of printer cartridges and trees. England's landfills are now 10% printer cartridges, and they are fast running out of trees to make paper from.

National pride continues to prevent them from passing the "economy of language" bill which would allow them to drop unnecessary letters from the language.

Why would he want people to think he’s American? He’d inherit the stupidity sigma. :rolleyes:

Which means nothing in English.