Swearing

Otis Driftwood

When I was younger I had a horrendously foul mouth but as Ive gotten older Ive noticed that I swear less and less and for the most part I only use it for emphasis (or when watching football).

I think part of it is Ive just gotten older and realise that its not nice to hear a constant blue stream from anyone.The other main reason I think would be because up until I was 25 I worked in manual labour jobs,always outside,always lots of banter but then when I graduated from college I started working in an office so obviously had to rein it in.

So what about you gents and ladies.

Do you ever swear?

abouttobebanned

A well timed "fcuk" can be quite hilarious. Overusing any swear word is extremely unattractive.

charlemont

I curse like a drunken sailor. Iv a foul tongue..

Joey the lips

My other half just commented last night that my swearing has got bad. I agreed with her. I am under a lot of stress at home with my child so i am putting it down to that but when i met her i never swore. Even though i would in all manors of jobs.

I just seem to curse a lot of occasions.

Like F... it raining again.

F.... clothes have to come in off the line.

F.... washing up.

Clareboy

The Irish male must be the most foul mouthed individual on the planet. Its only in this country that one has to listen to such foul language on a daily basis. We have had over 50 years of free education in this country and we are still breeding the ' Thick Mick' who cannot hold a conversation without using the four letter word. It's no wonder that we are losing out in the jobs market.

stupidusername

I swear quite a bit. probably should work on toning it down a bit. it depends on who i'm around though. a sign of how comfortable i am - the more i swear the more comfortable i am around you.

I don't like the whole idea of it making someone less attractive because they curse. i wouldn't want to be around someone who doesn't curse at all, or if it makes them uncomfortable.

Count Duckula

Clareboy wrote: »

The Irish male must be the most foul mouthed individual on the planet. Its only in this country that one has to listen to such foul language on a daily basis. We have had over 50 years of free education in this country and we are still breeding the ' Thick Mick' who cannot hold a conversation without using the four letter word. It's no wonder that we are losing out in the jobs market.

Can I just say that's pretty much all bollocks!

I can assume you've never had to spend time in the United Kingdom if you think that's the case.

TouchingVirus

I do it a fair bit, but tone it right down in work or when not with friends. With family and in my own house though there's a fair bit of swearing, calling each other names and banter like that - nothing wrong with it in my opinion.

My sister doesn't tone it down when out in public and I will admit it's a bit awkward when she starts going on

syklops

Clareboy wrote: »

The Irish male must be the most foul mouthed individual on the planet. Its only in this country that one has to listen to such foul language on a daily basis. We have had over 50 years of free education in this country and we are still breeding the ' Thick Mick' who cannot hold a conversation without using the four letter word. It's no wonder that we are losing out in the jobs market.

You should visit eastern europe. If you think the Irish either drink or swear the most in the world.

mood

I meet a guy who cursed a lot about a year ago and it is a major turn off!

Stheno

I'm female and have no problem with swearing.

I do however adjust it to the situation I am in. E.g. last week I had a client tell me the deadline they were under was next week as opposed to three weeks time. In my head I had a very healthy and unsavoury rant, but in person I worked out how we could achieve it. Then I went back to the office and had a rant, but didn't swear

The less you use it the more effective I find

jmn89

It's the weirdest thing... when I'm at college, on college placement, speaking to family or to female friends I'm good as gold! Doesn't even occur to me to curse except in exceptional situations (well, never of placement...)

but... when with the lads it just seems that my speech is riddled naturally.

Definitely going to start to make an effort to just stop swearing in general - it's an awful habit.

D'Agger

I'm going to refrain from putting a curse into this post in a vain attempt to appear humerous and cool....

So yes, I do indeed swear quite alot

Otis Driftwood

Stheno wrote: »

The less you use it the more effective I find

Pretty much this.I use it for emphasis mostly.

Abi

I've just thought about it, and it's normally down to stressful situations and for emphasis. Events in my life over the last 2 years have really tried me, and as a result I know I curse a lot more than I did before. But I know how to tailor it to certain company, if that makes sense.

Dravokivich

I swear all the time.

A lot less in work over the last couple of weeks...

Otis Driftwood

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

When I was younger I had a horrendously foul mouth but as Ive gotten older Ive noticed that I swear less and less and for the most part I only use it for emphasis (or when watching football).

I think part of it is Ive just gotten older and realise that its not nice to hear a constant blue stream from anyone.The other main reason I think would be because up until I was 25 I worked in manual labour jobs,always outside,always lots of banter but then when I graduated from college I started working in an office so obviously had to rein it in.

So what about you gents and ladies.

Do you ever swear?

I do on boards a bit, especially when having a good old rant, but not really in real life. Just not my thing really.
I don't like hearing excessive amounts in other people but it doesn't bother me too much.

enda1

Swearing is a great asset. A proper fuck, shit, cunt in the right place really seals a point. Those who get "offended" by swearing, are never actually offended themselves, but are pretending to be offended for others, which is just pathetic.

Otis Driftwood

enda1 wrote: »

Swearing is a great asset. A proper fuck, shit, cunt in the right place really seals a point. Those who get "offended" by swearing, are never actually offended themselves, but are pretending to be offended for others, which is just pathetic.

Disagree with you there.

A friend of mine hate's the c word.Ive seen her reprimand people for using it in her company.

OldGoat

My youngest (in one of her many money making scams) instigated a swear box - 10c a pop. I entered the cavait that excluded me when I'm driving.
After 6 months she only has 10c.
Behind the wheel all bets are off. Funny moment was when my other daughter at the age of 3, when I had just slammed on the breaks piped up from the back seat - "Thats a bugger isn't it dad".:o

Funnily enough I find that the company I keep has a great bearing on my cursing. One bunch of friends are foul mouthed particulary when watching sports in a bar and I find that after a day in their presence I'm ****ing and blinding for a day or two after. Perhaps it's nurture rather then nature.

D'Agger

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

Disagree with you there.

A friend of mine hate's the c word.Ive seen her reprimand people for using it in her company.

I have a bit of a grievence with people who take offence to the c word to be honest.

It's the same as using the f word as far as I'm concerned, people have just associated a worse meaning to it.

I'm sure alot of people will disagree with that but at the same time words only have power to insult if we give them that power via interpreting them as being offensive/abusive.

Otis Driftwood

I think her major issue is because of the female/sexual connotations of the word.I was on the end of a tongue lashing from her one night so needless to say,I havnt said it in front of her since!

D'Agger

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

I think her major issue is because of the female/sexual connotations of the word.I was on the end of a tongue lashing from her one night so needless to say,I havnt said it in front of her since!

Fair enough...I'd annoy her into submission about what in particular about the word annoys her, why is she letting it get to her, where does she believe this hatred for the c word started, tell me about your childhood etc.

Works a charm anytime I'm challenged about this type of thing

stupidusername

I kinda do and kinda don't get the offence taken by women over the c word. i mean it's surely much about how often you hear words, and cunt is less commonly used on tv at least than fuck or shit. I know my mother used to hate it, and my sister does. but I don't. I mean i like to reserve it for maximum impact as many have said. I suppose because I just see them as words. like paulie said it's about what you perceive the words to mean. well we all know what they 'mean' but you know the impact they have comes down to your own perception. which is of course relevant, but still... ah i'm babbling now. tired.

Apolloyon

I used to swear quite a bit when I was younger. Actually scratch that. I swore a lot when I was younger! I've found from living abroad that Irish people tend to swear a good bit more than others - in public I mean. It varies a bit in private company obviously.

I swear very rarely these days and when I do, it's to make a point. People realise this is serious business with me when it gets to that and it makes them far more effective that way.

I've noticed at times that some people say that they can't stop swearing or that they've tried etc. I think this is a bit of nonsense. They simply like swearing. Be open about it if it's your thing. Don't try and fit in if it doesn't work for you.

I've been told once or twice that it's not 'manly' or 'normal' not to swear constantly. If that's their definition of manliness or normal, I'm glad I don't meet their criteria. On those occasion, I told them where to go...politely of course!

Sonics2k

I swear quite a bit, but not one of those people who use Fúck as every second word, which is just obnoxious.

Words are just that, but like any other word, over-using it can ruin it's affect and frankly, make you look like a tool.

Galvasean

I'm always effing and blinding. very theraputic

overshoot

abouttobebanned wrote: »

A well timed "fcuk" can be quite hilarious. Overusing any swear word is extremely unattractive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MhLS2q24RQ
he has a point!

Poor Craythur

I swear for emphasis but when it's every second word, it's bad.

But I have a female friend who swears a lot with absolute aplomb. She pulls it off!

FWIW, there are banal phrases that offend me more than a swear word such as "At the end of the day..." :mad: Nothing wrong with a well-placed swear word.

I hate when people complain about swearing in films or TV shows. One guy I know recently said to me "I love the Sopranos, but the swearing shows a lack of intelligence", WTF? Right so one of the most intelligent TV shows ever made has unintelligent writers because they have included characters who swear. RRRRRiiiiggght.

Latchy

Not like I use to and have toned it down as I've got older .A continious line of swear words out of somebodys mouth is not very pleasent for anybody to have to listen to .

Poor Craythur

Latchy wrote: »

Not like I use to and have toned it down as I've got older .A continious line of swear words out of somebodys mouth is not very pleasent for anybody to have to listen to .

Once I was stuck across the aisle from a guy on the train who spent the entire journey roaring into his mobile. As if that wasn't bad enough, every single sentence was peppered with swear-words. The guy across from me was getting really pissed off at him.

Latchy

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Once I was stuck across the aisle from a guy on the train who spent the entire journey roaring into his mobile. As if that wasn't bad enough, every single sentence was peppered with swear-words. The guy across from me was getting really pissed off at him.

In a lot of situations the person swearing like this on public transport dosen't realise or understand how offensive it is to those around and people will get angry because it's like a spoilt child screaming '' I'll do and say what I like, when I like ' but from an adult it's just not acceptable and also might mean the person has serious anger issues .

beks101

I used to swear a hell of a lot before I left Ireland and didn't actually become conscious of how much until moving abroad. I think as Irish people we definitely use it more loosely than many other countries.

I'm in Canada now and work in a newsroom (a haven for prolific swearers!!) and even at that, it's noticeably alarming when someone drops a swear word into a sentence. I was working on an item last week with a male colleague my own age (mid 20s), cool guy, something went majorly wrong and I slipped out an accidental 'boll1x!' and he looked at me like I had just shot his mother or something. It's just not the done thing. I'm very wary of editing myself and watching my language as a result and have even found myself saying things like 'oh my gosh!' where I once would've said '**** it anyway!' :o

I like it for dramatic effect and it definitely can be funny and lighten the mood, but every sentence is a bit offensive and a bad representation of yourself IMO

Jimmy Bottlehead

I tailor my swearing depending on the crowd / situation; with people I don't know, or if publicly speaking, or in a professional environment, I can turn
It off. But with friends I like to let loose.

I do hold a particular love for the word c-unt though, especially when drama queens make a big deal about it. Terrific fun. My ex actually hated it and I could never use it around her. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense :P

PeakOutput

for some reason i never ever swear in front of my parents or relations but when they are not around I curse a hell of a lot and have a hard time controlling it

I imagine if I really put my mind to it i could control but sometimes its just too much fun to watch the reaction you get with a well timed c word

kfallon

Amongst my mates I swear like a trooper but we all do tbh! With some people at work I do too but I'm aware of my surroundings most of the time and tone it down or eliminate it completely depending on the company I'm in!

I still like to swear a bit when I'm home just to annoy me ould lad (tho I think he's gotten used to it), I'm pretty sure me Ma finds it funny!!!

IrishEyes19

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

Disagree with you there.

A friend of mine hate's the c word.Ive seen her reprimand people for using it in her company.

Absolutely hate the C....word as well. I dont know why, as its actually one of the oldest swears in history....ie going back to Shakespearean times and before Im sure..........theres a bit of knowledge thrown in now for you hehe

But besides that, I dont swear at all to be honest. Not on any moral grounds by the way, just that I never heard it growing up at home, and when I got to an older age, didnt really pick it up at all.

Im not uncomfortable around it, but I am certainly uncomfortable with the C....word, really sickens me.

minidazzler

I curse ALOT, in every conversation I will curse not that I want to, but it's just how I speak.

If someone gets offended by my cursing, I will apologise but if they give out about a particular word (eg cnut) I won't apologise if I have been cursing as it was, because I won't consider one word worse than the other.

kfallon

I love the 'c' word, infact I even use it as a term of affection too

Poor Craythur

kfallon wrote: »

I love the 'c' word, infact I even use it as a term of affection too

I have a female friend who loves it too and carries off using it with absolute aplomb. I think it's because she's otherwise well-spoken.

kfallon

Poor Craythur wrote: »

I have a female friend who loves it too and carries off using it with absolute aplomb. I think it's because she's otherwise well-spoken.

I got one too but I'm interested in meeting your lady friend too, we could start the 'C' Club

PeakOutput

kfallon wrote: »

I love the 'c' word, infact I even use it as a term of affection too

In the states its far more of a taboo then it is over here but funnily enough it is a great way to get a cute american to notice you if other methods fail, don't know why, feminists will forever hold this post against me but a well timed playful 'ah shut up ya c**t' or 'cheers c**t" instantly intrigues them

just throwing that out there

parker kent

kfallon wrote: »

I got one too but I'm interested in meeting your lady friend too, we could start the 'C' Club

I've a friend from Limerick and I've always regarded her as the C-word queen. It just seems to suit her accent perfectly and she knows how to use it to perfection!

Swearing really is a case of knowing your audience. I'd never really swear if I didn't know the people well.

keane2097

Otis Driftwood wrote: »

I think her major issue is because of the female/sexual connotations of the word.I was on the end of a tongue lashing from her one night so needless to say,I havnt said it in front of her since!

Does she know what the word "fuck" means?

When people act as though they are physically distressed by hearing a word - any word - it's 99.99% of the time an affectation, and it's about as annoying as it gets.

syklops

keane2097 wrote: »

Does she know what the word "****" means?

When people act as though they are physically distressed by hearing a word - any word - it's 99.99% of the time an affectation, and it's about as annoying as it gets.

Can I have a vowel please Carol?

I dont know why someone would be offended by the C word. I mean it refers to a very beautiful part of a female, so why the offence?

parker kent

Whilst I don't mind people swearing amongst friends or in TV, movies etc once the situation suits it(as is pretty clear with post above), I don't think anybody can judge somebody for taking offence to a word that is loaded with negative connotations. The c-word is not intended to show affection towards females or the female genitalia. Sure some people can be too sensitive, but we must also have empathy for others. The same way I'd never judge a black man that takes offence to racist language. Some people have valid reasons for taking offence.

Sofiztikated

I work in a very customer facing role, and am polite and proper for at least 8 hours every day. When people can hear me.

Outside of this, it depends. Depends on the company, depends on the mood, depends on the weather.

I rarely curse in front of my mother. It's a mark of respect. She brought me up well, and taught me that cursing was good manners. And she rarely curses at all. But when she does let a fúck slip, you know she's very worked up!

With the lads, the curses run freely. With the ladies, maybe not so much. With my ladywoman, I curse a fair bit in conversation, but would rarely curse directly at her. As in I could say, "D'ya know, I think he's a bolix!" but would never say, "You're a bolix." It's the context.

Also, nothing annoys me more than hearing a young child curse. My lady's sister has a 3 year old, and thinks it's hilarious that he can call people "a hairy bolix", or to tell someone to "get ta fúck," but my heart sinks every time I hear him do it. A little bit of manners would go a long way.

And the people that get offended by the See You Next Tuesday? G'way ta fúck! They'd be the same people to call someone a prick, or a dickhead.

parker kent

Swearing can have unreal power in certain circumstances. Totally forgot until this moment that the worst I have ever felt was reading a message that ended "F**k you". No other word would have had the same impact and it genuinely hurt me.

Obviously it hasn't traumatised me forever and swearing can be funny, endearing, a way of letting out frustration and all manner of other things, but I can see how some people who have been the victim of a tirade of abuse (the way many black people will have been, or the way some women will have been) would become sensitive to use of bad language.

Thats being said, the most I have laughed in the last week was watching a repeat of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry is charged with writing an obituary for an Aunt and....this happens (beware those of you delicate or sensitive ears!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpDiZLrTHX4

LimeTime

Wouldn't curse too much now. Only everynow and again or when I forget what I was about to say I usually end up saying ****ing........rather then ehhhhhhh.

Imhof Tank

I don’t know if this is a particularly macho area of business, but in my work (legal profession) any meeting etc with men only involved will nearly always feature a lot of swearing for emphasis. These would be well educated, middle aged guys.

If the people present haven’t met before then usually the most alpha male character will throw the f word into the conversation, the others take that as a sign and will respond in kind to validate the alpha. Possibly some sort of “win friends and influence people” process?

If a woman joins the company, the lads will close ranks and cut out the swearing immediately. Dont know why this is but there would be an definite unspoken understanding that you should tone it down in front of the ladies

Clareboy

Imhof Tank wrote: »

I don’t know if this is a particularly macho area of business, but in my work (legal profession) any meeting etc with men only involved will nearly always feature a lot of swearing for emphasis. These would be well educated, middle aged guys.

If the people present haven’t met before then usually the most alpha male character will throw the f word into the conversation, the others take that as a sign and will respond in kind to validate the alpha. Possibly some sort of “win friends and influence people” process?

If a woman joins the company, the lads will close ranks and cut out the swearing immediately. Dont know why this is but there would be an definite unspoken understanding that you should tone it down in front of the ladies

You mean to say that a highly educated section of society like the legal profession cannot comunicate without swearing. But you can stop the bad language when a lady joins the company. What happens when a gentleman joins the company? What is an alpha male?

It's no wonder that Dublin is now regarded as the ' Gutter Language Capital of The World'.