Why is our population so fond of swearing?

[Cavan]

There's a line somewhere at which point is becomes more and more petty and stupid until that's all you can ever remember that person saying.

If you're excited or angry or any real reason, go wild, use 'em or lose 'em. It's the people who insert them into normal conversation who piss me off.

It's on roughly the same level as people who end 'every' sentence with "mate". For some reason round here those two usually go together a lot.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Because it adds so much to a rant or speech; sure its not needed all the time, but using a well timed fuck in a powerful rant just gives it that extra oomph that's needed to get the point across.

Myself, I swear a lot, because I like swearing and I see no reason to stop at this point. I have no need to justify it beyond that. I love to swear and anyone who's been on the mic with me during any of my gaming sessions know I love to swear.

 

[CODE-D]

I dont like how people are now trained seals to laugh everytime a swear is the punchline.

 

[Freaky Lou]

Picked it up in high school, perfected it to an art form in the military. Pretty proud of the fact that I can verbally rip into someone to the point that they cry.

I actually find that swearing lessens that effect, at least on me. I just kinda laugh when someone cusses me out. Personally I find the most vicious verbal lashings are actually pretty clean. Vulgar language always makes the insults/rant too generic and impersonal to have any REAL impact; all it does is communicate anger.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Well I know I swear because the word "fuck" because it's so darn versatile and because it pretty sums up any emotion you can think of.

 

[requisitename]

I generally only swear to emphasize a point when I'm excited or angry. ("Can you fucking *believe* this?!" or "Holy shit, LOOK at that!") This used to not be the case.. my language is much cleaner than it was when I was younger. I try very hard to watch my language around children as well as adults I know (or suspect) don't curse. I simply see no reason to go out of my way to offend others just for the sake of offending them.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Hate bad words..I think the whole country is full of swearing words. As I heard, languages from Europe sounds impolite in America continent. Especially English and French. It's true, why no one appeal to stop these?

What on earth does that even mean!? You want english and french speakers out of America...!?

OT: I'm in the military, and therefore in our all adult environment we swear like... well... the troopers that we are! Some people on training take offence to it, but quickly learn that it's a losing battle, and just shut up and get on with it!

Personally I don't have any qualms with it. I don't swear much, but will if I think its required, ie to make a point, or to show i'm serious. I rarely swear at people either, I'm not one to insult others directly in that way, but I am arround people who do it all the time! I also forget where I am at times too, and the bad man does unfortunately swear in front of the kids! Can't help it! I don't do it on purpose!

 

[Cain_Zeros]

They're fuckin' words, dude. The whipped cream to the English language's pumpkin pie, if you will. Not necessary, but just makes things that much better.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I tend to swear quite a lot because... I just do. It's just become a part of the way I speak and sometimes there really is no substitute for saying fuck/shit/bollox/****. It doesn't mean that I have a stunted vocabulary as some people love to suggest.

 

[Gloomsta]

Their just words.

Swearing is only wrong to those who consider it wrong. But their wrong themselfs about it.

 

[CulixCupric]

because the part of your brain where swearing/cursing is in your brain is the same as your screaming, whimpering, crying, and other highly animistic emotional expressions, not where most your speech is stored. therefore it has the same effect of screaming, roaring, crying, or when cat's hiss.

simple example: when your cat is hissing, it's the equivalent of "F' OFF!"

that's basically it. it's repressed genetic instinct being expressed as language.

 

[ComprehensiveGoo]

Just a reasonably safe way of relieving frustration?

 

[MrGseff]

In my opinion swear words are used like filter words. For when we are in a situation where we cant think of any other word to describe it, we swear.

 

[Jonluw]

Oh gods, I was just about to call you out on how much of a moron you sound like when using egads like "how the fudge".
Thanks for that last paragraph.

In any case: Nobody cares that people swear, dude. It has nothing to do with destroying language. It's a decent way to express agitation or place emphasis on something.
There is, however, nothing special about swearing.
I don't see how it should annoy you more than, like, people who, like, say 'like' every other word.

Basically, I think people who believe swearing to somehow be 'wrong' to be fucing idiots.

There's one person around whom I try not to swear: this one priest I know.

 

[Neverhoodian]

It can often be cathartic to swear in a stressful situation. Sometimes you just need to vent or hammer a point home, and a well-placed swear or two can often work wonders in such situations.

I consider swearing to be like seasoning. A little bit sprinkled here and there can add variety and flavor, but excessive use ruins the effect and is often counter-productive.

Also, one should consider your audience if speaking to someone. I tend not to swear in general conversations or around people with fragile sensibilities. However, I loosen up if I'm dealing with people I'm comfortable with or morons that don't deserve my courtesy.

 

[bindelt]

What on earth does that even mean!? You want english and french speakers out of America...!?

OT: I'm in the military, and therefore in our all adult environment we swear like... well... the troopers that we are! Some people on training take offence to it, but quickly learn that it's a losing battle, and just shut up and get on with it!

Personally I don't have any qualms with it. I don't swear much, but will if I think its required, ie to make a point, or to show i'm serious. I rarely swear at people either, I'm not one to insult others directly in that way, but I am arround people who do it all the time! I also forget where I am at times too, and the bad man does unfortunately swear in front of the kids! Can't help it! I don't do it on purpose![/quote]

Hello, I didn't mean to stop the two languages here, but to speak them with more politeness. Swearing is sometimes funny on shows, but we need to control it from outrage.

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

Just a reasonably safe way of relieving frustration?

One that doesn't involve the cops or blood on your hands?

[sub][sub]Moo! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9iIgQN5uZE&feature=related][/sub][/sub]

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

It can often be cathartic to swear in a stressful situation. Sometimes you just need to vent or hammer a point home, and a well-placed swear or two can often work wonders in such situations.

I consider swearing to be like seasoning. A little bit sprinkled here and there can add variety and flavor, but excessive use ruins the effect and is often counter-productive.

Also, one should consider your audience if speaking to someone. I tend not to swear in general conversations or around people with fragile sensibilities. However, I loosen up if I'm dealing with people I'm comfortable with or morons that don't deserve my courtesy.

Swearing as seasoning. So "Fuck" would be the salt because everybody loves salt. What's the pepper?

[sub][sub]Moo! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9iIgQN5uZE&feature=related][/sub][/sub]