Bad words

**Dudebro** · 11-08-2009, 04:50 AM

Let me start by saying that the normal rules apply for this discussion. I would've put this in a private section but I wanted to hear from a more diverse crowd.

At some point in our lives we all learn what words we shouldn't say in polite company. Obviously this varies a lot by regions but the idea is the same everywhere, some words are taboo. I've read about why this is but to be honest I still don't understand why people have such strong feelings about words.

The curse words that are related to sex or religion I can understand and for the most part I have no problem holding back out of respect.
The ones that really bug me are the ones that are just another word for something that's not offensive. Like how I can say "Tenser pooped himself" but I can't use the other word for poop without breaking the rules here and in the majority of western society. To me that's just silly. Why would one be offensive and the other is taught to children? They both mean the same thing.

I know most of you swear in your personal lives(and in private forums) but how do you feel about words being offensive? Do you think there's any benefit from making some words off limits?

This topic has been moved, now you can swear all you want.

**RU Joe** · 11-08-2009, 06:21 AM

WHEN IT COMES TO BEING OFFENSIVE

I think that it is entirely dependent on the context of the situation at hand.
For example, if you were to be telling potty humor jokes at old Grand Dad Rotten's house during supper I imagine it may not be as big a deal, say, as it might be over at

The Royal Palace, but you never can tell.
I hear that the Royals are an interesting lot.
(that's what the supermarket tabloids would have us believe, anyways)

There are certain times when bad words are positively crucial:

~ Baby, you know it!

Overall I think 'bad words' are a good thing, but like so many other things in life

MODERATION is the key.

**CatalystiCam** · 11-08-2009, 10:06 AM

I don't curse much in real life, the only word that makes me feel like a retard to say here is dang or darn... that's the only word I'd like to be able to say...

**Dudebro** · 11-08-2009, 04:24 PM

Hmm, I'm kinda surprised at the lack of interest in this topic.

**CatalystiCam** · 11-08-2009, 04:42 PM

I say the same thing about my reviews...

**Kong** · 11-08-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

the idea is the same everywhere, some words are taboo.

Is that true? Is there not an example of a single culture that had no bad words? Sad.

I think the whole idea is stupid.
Taboos around sex and excrement is unhealthy. You should feel safe discussing bodily functions.

Words that your god does not want you to say are stupid. How can saying a word change how you feel about your religion. And if your religion hinges on what words you do or don't say and hear then what does that say about the power of your religion.

That just leaves insults, and of course words used to hurt someone are going to be "bad words" but it isn't the word it is the reason you are saying the word. Blaming the word and not the intention is like saying guns are bad killing is ok.

**jim5cents** · 11-08-2009, 06:26 PM

just now saw it. i swear regularly in real life, at home, with friends, with siblings sometimes at work if none of my athletes are around. offensive language is a way that i informally communicate. obviously, there are plenty of situations in which you do not want to drop the f-bomb. weddings, job interviews, bar mitzvahs, etc. learning that line is the most important step in determining if your overall behavior is offensive or not.

concerning what dudebro was talking about, words that are deemed offensive, but not. i get it. the reason why poop is acceptable and not the s-word is that it is a cute kind of word. think about the line from billy madison. poop is kind of funny, kid word. plus, it is easier to tell a kid what poop is as opposed to feces.

there are a ton of ethic slang words that really aren't offensive, cracker, one of favorites, is not offensive in the least, on the other end of the spectrum, i think we call all agree the the n-word is fairly offensive, but is used with great regularity by the lower social-econamic black populations.

**Kong** · 11-08-2009, 06:46 PM

One time I had a black guy call me cracker and really mean it. It was kind of strange.

I don't see how there is a difference between cracker and the other word. It is all in the intent. If the intention is the same, good, bad or neutral, then the words are the same.

I guess the difference is cracker has not been used with negative intent nearly as often.

**zarny** · 11-08-2009, 06:57 PM

Do you think the word "retard" is derogatory?

**the_riesen** · 11-08-2009, 07:11 PM

What i love about this topic most of all is how freedom speech allows you to say anything really. Yet the FCC tries to illegally censor people all the time. Legally you can't threaten someone, but you can legally offend people.

They give out fines forthose 7 (is it?) deadly words you can't say on tv....but in reality if you aren't under contract you don't have to pay a penny.

**Billy Hoyle** · 11-08-2009, 11:17 PM

I think a look into the origins of the swear words you are thinking about is necessary to understand why they are frowned upon. I have no idea, so I can not really comment with much solid rationale.

I will say that I know many young people (adolescents/young adults) swear as a form of rebellion much like experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

**Kugyince** · 11-09-2009, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zarny

Do you think the word "retard" is derogatory?

Depends on the context.

**the_riesen** · 11-09-2009, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenser

Depends on the context.

Yeah because it is actually proper to say " PLEASE retard your anger"

**zarny** · 11-09-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_riesen

Yeah because it is actually proper to say " PLEASE retard your anger"

What does that mean?

If I call a person who is acting stupid to me a retard is that considered rude?

**Tails** · 11-09-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Hoyle

I think a look into the origins of the swear words you are thinking about is necessary to understand why they are frowned upon. I have no idea, so I can not really comment with much solid rationale.

I will say that I know many young people (adolescents/young adults) swear as a form of rebellion much like experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Yeah, I was taught about that too. Anyways I spoiler'd it, but if this is not allowed, I appologize.

( Click to show/hide )

**Slime Slayer** · 11-09-2009, 03:33 PM

tails:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Let me start by saying that the normal rules apply for this discussion.

**samejamesbond** · 11-09-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zarny

What does that mean?

If I call a person who is acting stupid to me a retard is that considered rude?

Retard has multiple meanings either stupidity or hinderance

ex: Water's a flame retardent.

**Dojah** · 11-09-2009, 04:18 PM

@Tails~That origin of Ship High In Transit is not the correct origin of that word. I remember that was an urban myth.

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**joz** · 11-09-2009, 04:31 PM

I think bad words are not bad at all. Euphemism and synonyms are all bull...crap. If the word means the same thing then why make a big fuss about it? Fornicating and ..... crap and ..... it's all the same.

**Kong** · 11-09-2009, 06:03 PM

snopes.com: Etymology of Shit

Quote:

Originally Posted by samejamesbond

Retard has multiple meanings either stupidity or hinderance

ex: Water's a flame retardent.

It has one meaning used in many different ways. Retard means slow.

**Demon-Mask** · 11-09-2009, 06:10 PM

I don't understand words being 'bad', they are a string of letters put together, and given meaning, some words have picked up less refined meaning over time, but that doesn't mean they are bad, for the most part I filter myself, but I say the words 'damn' and 'hell' sometimes.

**Tails** · 11-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dojah

@Tails~That origin of Ship High In Transit is not the correct origin of that word. I remember that was an urban myth.

( Click to show/hide )

Hmm I always took it as true.

@Kong: Just for clarification, was that post within the rules? I'm kinda unsure now..

**samejamesbond** · 11-10-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kong

snopes.com: Etymology of Shit

It has one meaning used in many different ways. Retard means slow.

I thought it means to hinder, not slow.
Oh well.

**Kong** · 11-10-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tails

Hmm I always took it as true.

Stories that sound like that are nearly always BS. A quick search on Google usually proves so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tails

@Kong: Just for clarification, was that post within the rules? I'm kinda unsure now..

That is for the Site Mods to decide, not me. But the way I see it the context in which you used the word was PG up until the very last sentence.

**bakingumby** · 11-10-2009, 04:39 PM

I would say most "bad words" are bad because they lose thier signifigance if used regularly. But if a word is a little bit more irregular it has a lot more impact on people...