The Irish relationship with strong language

KingOfFairview

A perception exists that Irish people are unusually fond of doing "strong" language, i.e. cursing. It's a trait we share with the Scots.

So my question is this? Why? We are a nation of literary big-hitters, yet often find ourselves reduced to dropping f-bombs, rudely cursing at each other down the pub or telling people to 'ask my ass" when a simple no would do.

So; why?

0byme75341jo28

Coz we're a bunch of cunts.

Toto Wolfcastle

I've never heard anyone saying 'ask my ass'.

I love cursing though. It's fcuking awesome.

KingOfFairview

Guys please, no cursing HERE.

Iwasfrozen

I never curse. I hate it and would find it hard to take anyone who does seriously.

KingOfFairview

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I never curse. I hate it and would find it hard to take anyone who does seriously.

that must be difficult, because as the OP proves, we are a nation of cursers.

Fr_Dougal

KingOfFairview wrote: »

A perception exists that Irish people are unusually fond of doing "strong" language, i.e. cursing. It's a trait we share with the Scots.

So my question is this? Why? We are a nation of literary big-hitters, yet often find ourselves reduced to dropping f-bombs, rudely cursing at each other down the pub or telling people to 'ask my ass" when a simple no would do.

So; why?

Ah sure that's Fairview for you.

Birneybau

Go fcuk yourself.

krudler

I was told before moving to Canada that people here don't swear, my ass they don't.

C.K Dexter Haven

TheZohan wrote: »

Ah sure that's Fairview for you.

It was neither fair, nor a view

KingOfFairview

TheZohan wrote: »

Ah sure that's Fairview for you.

An old man once called me a 'cockbucket' as I took in my milk bottles one glorious summer morning. Ruined my whole day and if I may say so, he was quite the bollix himself

Iwasfrozen

KingOfFairview wrote: »

that must be difficult, because as the OP proves, we are a nation of cursers.

Actually I don't think we are. I can only think of a handful of people who curse regularly.

MRnotlob606

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Actually I don't think we are. I can only think of a handful of people who curse regularly.

Really ?

enda1

Cause swearing is great.

krudler

enda1 wrote: »

Cause swearing is great.

When done properly it is, if someone was saying fuck every other word it just gets annoying but well placed swear words can make something funnier. Fuck and it's variations are brilliant words, can be used in nearly any context or meaning.

Iwasfrozen

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

Really ?

Yeah. Really.

RedemptionZ

Gonna be a cynical cnut here and say this is yet another example of thinking something is uniquely Irish when in fact, it's the same in nearly any place.

In general(and this is a generalisation I know) 'strong language' will be a lot more common the more working class the area is. Worldwide.

Been to Spain? When you are able to speak spanish you learn very quickly that they are, shall we say, very creative with some of their swear words. Same with Russian. Then closer to home we have the British, 'are you avin a fuckin laff' types.

Basically we have no special relationship with strong language. And going to the pub isn't an exclusively Irish thing either.

KingOfFairview

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Gonna be a cynical cnut here and say this is yet another example of thinking something is uniquely Irish when in fact, it's the same in nearly any place.

In general(and this is a generalisation I know) 'strong language' will be a lot more common the more working class the area is. Worldwide.

Been to Spain? When you are able to speak spanish you learn very quickly that they are, shall we say, very creative with some of their swear words. Same with Russian. Then closer to home we have the British, 'are you avin a fuckin laff' types.

Basically we have no special relationship with strong language.

Nonesense.

krudler

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Gonna be a cynical cnut here and say this is yet another example of thinking something is uniquely Irish when in fact, it's the same in nearly any place.

In general(and this is a generalisation I know) 'strong language' will be a lot more common the more working class the area is. Worldwide.

Been to Spain? When you are able to speak spanish you learn very quickly that they are, shall we say, very creative with some of their swear words. Same with Russian. Then closer to home we have the British, 'are you avin a fuckin laff' types.

Basically we have no special relationship with strong language.

That really, some people swear, some don't. Geographical location doesn't really have much to do with it. I've heard Americans swear like sailors, and met Americans who "damn" was something they'd never even say.

krudler

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Yeah. Really.

I seriously doubt that tbh

Iwasfrozen

krudler wrote: »

I seriously doubt that tbh

Doubt it if you want but it's the truth.

KingOfFairview

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Doubt it if you want but it's the truth.

No it isn't. They must just know you have a bug up your ass about cursing and hold back in front of you. Even my mom-in-law says awful things when she thinks no ones about.

Dirty Dingus McGee

What the hell is wrong with a supposedly bad word.

For me saying something is a load of bollocks or pure sh1te is a far better way to describe something than saying its rubbish.

Swear words are fairly harmless. You could eff and blind your whole life an be the nicest person around and the fella who uses nice language could be the biggest **** you'll ever meet.

Gbear

KingOfFairview wrote: »

So my question is this? Why? We are a nation of literary big-hitters, yet often find ourselves reduced to dropping f-bombs,

I'd consider it to be absolutely the opposite. To be reduced to not cursing would make language a far more boring experience.

Catharsis for the user, comedy for the person hearing it.

The content of what's being said - the meaning behind it - is the most important, but swearing is an invaluable tool in any person's verbal arsenal and to eschew using because you're, well... a giant pussy, is ignorant and a missed opportunity.

Iwasfrozen

KingOfFairview wrote: »

No it isn't. They must just know you have a bug up your ass about cursing and hold back in front of you. Even my mom-in-law says awful things when she thinks no ones about.

You think it's more probable that the majority of people I know, family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances would indefinitely abstain from cursing in front of me because they know I don't like it rather than simply preferring not to curse? Seriously?

You're clutching at straws there dude I'm not that scary.

Iwasfrozen

With regards to people who curse a lot I think there tends to be a large degree of narcissism and lack of self control involved.

The "society can't tell me what to do" crowd.

krudler

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

You think it's more probable that the majority of people I know, family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances would indefinitely abstain from cursing in front of me because they know I don't like it rather than simply preferring not to curse? Seriously?

You're clutching at straws there dude I'm not that scary.

No I just doubt that the majority of people you know never swear, it's pretty logical to assume you know a few people who do. What company you're in can affect how much you swear too, I'd rarely curse in front of my parents, which is probably silly being that I'm in my 30's, but still swear around friends.

Skylinehead

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Doubt it if you want but it's the truth.

Based on?

RustyNut

Turtyturd

The OP proves f*ck all tbh.

I reckon most people switch it on and off given the situation. In work meetings I never use it, around the kids I never use it, with clients I would occasionally use it, same with co-workers, in informal conversations with them I would use it more often, and with friends I would use it more regularly.

I reckon most people are the same and those who use it every second word are the minority.

Iwasfrozen

Skylinehead wrote: »

Based on?

What?

DazMarz

I can switch it on and off like a tap. In certain company, I will never, ever swear. When around friends and certain family members, I'm a fierce thing for swearing and I am very creative with it. "A foul-mouthed Shakespeare" was how one person described me once.

And if I wasn't able to swear, I'd have died of a stroke years ago. It's a great way to let off steam.

ElvisChrist6

KingOfFairview wrote: »

A perception exists that Irish people are unusually fond of doing "strong" language, i.e. cursing. It's a trait we share with the Scots.

So my question is this? Why? We are a nation of literary big-hitters, yet often find ourselves reduced to dropping f-bombs, rudely cursing at each other down the pub or telling people to 'ask my ass" when a simple no would do.

So; why?

I don't know if you meant reduced to as I read it, but many people do. We are not reduced to (as you put it) "f-bombs"; it's purely a way of speaking that our country has taken to. It's the way we are and there's nothing that someone should be talked down to for. A lot of people I know, me included, use fucking as an expletive, just a filler word, like indeed or something - it doesn't take away from language and does not mean a person is not eloquent as some suggest. It's just a way of speaking that many in this country grow up with and into. As some are saying in this thread, it's not uniquely Irish, but I've met many people from different countries who were quite surprised by our level of swearing.

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I never curse. I hate it and would find it hard to take anyone who does seriously.

Here's an example of that, someone is too precious to listen to someone curse. By saying "Grow the **** up" I'm using two more words than I could have otherwise, and it's a lot more effective.

Skylinehead

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

What?

"It's the truth" referring to a minority being swearing?

Iwasfrozen

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

Here's an example of that, someone is too precious to listen to someone curse. By saying "Grow the **** up" I'm using two more words than I could have otherwise, and it's a lot more effective.

I can't take anyone seriously who curses. If you can't get your point across without resulting to curse words then your point probably isn't worth much to begin with.

Iwasfrozen

Skylinehead wrote: »

"It's the truth" referring to a minority being swearing?

Go back a couple of posts. What was my original statement? The one Krudler was responding to.

It was my second post. I can't link it on my phone.

Lenin Skynard

A well placed curse can colour a sentence nicely. When overused though it is a bit annoying to listen to. I know a lad who between thoughts where most people would say something like "erm...", he says "erm.. sure ****in'..."erm.

It's a bit overkill. Would hate to let him anywhere near my granny or the local priest.

Mardy Bum

For the vast majority of people it is down to a limited vocabulary and a fear of expressing oneself articulately in case they would be ridiculed. There are few Armando Iannucci's among us.

krudler

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I can't take anyone seriously who curses. If you can't get your point across without resulting to curse words then your point probably isn't worth much to begin with.

Anyone? really?

deseil

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I can't take anyone seriously who curses. If you can't get your point across without resulting to curse words then your point probably isn't worth much to begin with.

But it is funny sometime,
my mam is a very well spoken lovely, kind, gentle woman but when she loses the head the profanities that come out of her are unbelievable.
It's like she stores it all up and then blows and you can physically see her calm down with each curse its hilarious.
Jesus Mary and f%%king Joseph is my personal favourite.

Iwasfrozen

krudler wrote: »

Anyone? really?

Yep.

krudler

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Yep.

Plenty of scholary, intelligent people swear occasionally. What about them? or comedians?

ElvisChrist6

Mardy Bum wrote: »

For the vast majority of people it is down to a limited vocabulary and a fear of expressing oneself articulately in case they would be ridiculed. There are few Armando Iannucci's among us.

That's just not true.

Iwasfrozen

krudler wrote: »

Plenty of scholary, intelligent people swear occasionally. What about them? or comedians?

If a scholary person started cursing in the middle or a debate or presentation I'd think very little of them and couldn't take them seriously.

As for comedians, you're not supposed to take them seriously and their cursing actually helps to trivialise and juvenilize them.

I can definitely switch it on and off. Professionally, and around people I don't really know, I wouldn't say a thing. Yet, if you know me and I'm comfortable around you, I blurt them out left, right and centre.

krudler

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

If a scholary person started cursing in the middle or a debate or presentation I'd think very little of them and couldn't take them seriously.

As for comedians, you're not supposed to take them seriously and their cursing actually helps to trivialise and juvenilize them.

I dont mean in a professional sense, blurting out swear words in the middle of a lecture, just in general. Like I said the company you're in affects people's swearing. I worked with someone who cursed like a sailor but not in front of customers, didnt mean she couldnt be great at her job.

FunLover18

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I never curse. I hate it and would find it hard to take anyone who does seriously.

I understand that there are a lot of people who use swearing just for the sake of it, but to reduce all swearing to that level is quite prudish and is the equivalent of me saying "I can't take people who don't use swear words seriously, because they're all prudes". I think everyone puts their own meaning on swear words, but I think this attitude of "not taking people who swear seriously" is almost as immature as replying to said people with "Grow the fúck up".

truedoom

to quote tommy tiernan.

"The english language is a wall between you and me, and f**k is my chisel"

fryup

KingOfFairview wrote: »

A perception exists that Irish people are unusually fond of doing "strong" language, i.e. cursing. It's a trait we share with the Scots.

So; why?

it dates back to our colonial past, we are the inheritors of a peasant mentality i.e. chip on shoulder/begrudgery

and i bet those scots you refer to would have an irish background

csallmighty

Ever told someone to "f*ck off"?

If you're angry with someone and need them to leave you alone there is no better way to express it. A sentence sometimes can lack conviction without swearing.

beks101

I think it's about time and place. Obviously you're not going to go into a job interview or work presentation effing and blinding like an idiot, but sometimes there's just no other way to describe someone than as an absolute fcuking arsehole.

I'll sometimes throw a well-placed swear word into a sentence when I'm with at work or with my folks or some other kind of authority figure and in a sense it can break the ice and help people to relax in your company a bit more, lead to more informal banter.

I find it hard to be around people who never swear as a matter of principle, which is ultimately probably why I found living in Canada a bit difficult at times. They can be the nicest person on earth but it's like being in the company of Ned Flanders, you have to sanitize your conversation and censor everything you say because it's more 'alarming' to throw out an aul 'bollix' or 'fcuk that' that it would be at home. It was 'aw shoot' and 'yikes' for more than three years.