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How often do you curse?

mr_fegelien

I think I'm a relatively polite person but some times let out the old f*** when angry or fustrated.

I hear loads of people who openly curse with friends, coworkers but not family members. Is there a difference really? Especially as an adult?

Is there a difference between cursing in frustration and cursing someone out (i.e. you bloody w*nker!)

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Boom_Bap

For the life of me, I have never
uttered a
curse word or
killed anyone.

You would think
one would have done this at my age
under some circumstance.

Potential-Monke

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

I hate swearing or swear words in general conversation, I cringe when I hear it.

It really gives off a bad impression.

I'd have to be very cross to swear, if it's got to that stage then I'm basically apoplectic with rage.

(Of course I've used swear words here, but that doesn't really count )

But why though? Is it just your own opinion that it gives a bad impression or is it based on something? Genuine question. From what I can see, the people who don't curse (politicians, judges, people in power, etc) are far worse than those that do. To me, cursing is honest. Granted, it can go beyond that, but I've found those who curse are more honest and open than those that don't.

Then again, I'd imagine we had very different upbringings, I wouldn't even know when to use the word apoplectic! Had to Google the meaning tbh. In fact, science has found that people who curse more often have a better/larger vocabulary, and to give a very early quote in the article by Stephen Fry:

"The sort of twee person who thinks swearing is in any way a sign of a lack of education or a lack of verbal interest is just f*cking lunatic."

Not having a go at anyone, each to their own, but I would like to see why some people would consider cursing a negative, when it's better at expressing emotions than most non-curse words.

Rhyme

It goes up and down but more to illuminate a point I'm making. If I can get the same emphasis and import without cursing, I usually do but sometime it's therapeutic to let out a "f*ck that" or "b*llocks to you" or even a "you sh*tting d*ck-nipple" on occasion.

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

Badly Drunk Boy

Potential-Monke wrote: »

But why though? Is it just your own opinion that it gives a bad impression or is it based on something? Genuine question. From what I can see, the people who don't curse (politicians, judges, people in power, etc) are far worse than those that do. To me, cursing is honest. Granted, it can go beyond that, but I've found those who curse are more honest and open than those that don't.

Why do you think that these people don't curse? Maybe they don't in their professional lives, but that would go for most people, especially when dealing with clients/customers.

In a casual setting, that changes.

fmpisces

The odd time, but it really depends on who I'm around. It's not very lady-like for every second word out of your mouth to be a swear word, so I try to keep it to every third word instead.

Potential-Monke

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

Why do you think that these people don't curse? Maybe they don't in their professional lives, but that would go for most people, especially when dealing with clients/customers.

In a casual setting, that changes.

And this is why I think cursing should be welcomed. I'd be more likely to believe a politician, banker or other 'professional' if they let out the odd curse, makes them human imo and much more believable to me. Politicians already have a fake persona, not cursing adds to the fakeness which makes me trust them less (if that's possible, I pretty much don't trust a single politician. Maybe Ming, but that's because he's pushing cannabis legalisation, no idea what else he does!).

I think cursing still being taboo is an attempt to hold onto an older life which just doesn't exist anymore. Cursing is now part and parcel of language, and indeed there's no other single word that has as many uses as fück in so many different ways/meanings.

MayoForSam

I generally avoid the need to curse as it's uncouth and my vocabulary is wide enough to generate alternative and appropriate phraseology when the need arises.

My 16-year old son however, oh dear. I thought I was raising him to be a gentleman. But whenever he goes to GAA training, he comes back effing and blinding like there's no tomorrow.

Flipping football, it's like finishing school for Anglo-Saxon expletives.

bigar

Rarely. So much so that my friends are quite startled when I do utter one.

[Deleted User]

This is it wrote: »

Theres rarely, if any, need to curse though. Generally it's due to not being able to think of a better word. As you said, fûck can be used in so many ways like most curse words. If I'm on a work call and the lad on the other end can't discuss something without throwing a few fûcks in here and there, I wouldn't be bother dealing with him to be honest. You should be able to express yourself without cursing.

Obviously in the heat of the moment, like standing on Lego barefoot (the worst pain imaginable) then an odd curse slips out, and is expected, but to hear it in every day language would be awful. A social setting, not too bad either in some circumstances. But imagine...

-Can I get €20 diesel please.

Yeah no bother. Isn't it a lovely fûcking day out?

-Fûck yeah, fûcking lovely!

No thanks.

I have to say I hate this attitude. Cursing is as legitimate a way to express yourself as any other.

Your example on the diesel there would be me too, I’d throw in a few curses in nearly any sentence as it’s just the way I talk.

debok

Words are just words. Just because someone decided one word is bad over another word. It's just sounds. I don't get why people can be disgusted because someone said a certain word.

Potential-Monke

Yeah, having been bullied all through primary and secondary school, I reckon I've developed a thick skin to insults/cursing. Then add in 9 years as a Garda and I've basically lost any empathy for people in general, I think it allows me to have a more independent view on things as I can remove the emotion from basically anything. But having being bullied for most of my school life, due to being ginger, I was always told 'Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you', whereas now it's 'sticks and stones may break your bones but words will cut deep into your soul and you'll need a safe place afterwards'.

Maybe that has added to my normality of cursing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Regarding not being able to find another word for it, if that word is obscure then why would I know it to begin with? Not everyone is a fan of linguistics and ensuring they have all the words for things that most people wouldn't know. And the people that use these words know this, and I believe it gives them a feeling of superiority over people who may not be as linguistically advanced. All personal opinion of course.

ILoveYourVibes

Rarely almost never.

BeerWolf

I don't curse, I hex.

Church on Tuesday

Potential-Monke wrote: »

But why though? Is it just your own opinion that it gives a bad impression or is it based on something? Genuine question. From what I can see, the people who don't curse (politicians, judges, people in power, etc) are far worse than those that do. To me, cursing is honest. Granted, it can go beyond that, but I've found those who curse are more honest and open than those that don't.

Then again, I'd imagine we had very different upbringings, I wouldn't even know when to use the word apoplectic! Had to Google the meaning tbh. In fact, science has found that people who curse more often have a better/larger vocabulary, and to give a very early quote in the article by Stephen Fry:

"The sort of twee person who thinks swearing is in any way a sign of a lack of education or a lack of verbal interest is just f*cking lunatic."

Not having a go at anyone, each to their own, but I would like to see why some people would consider cursing a negative, when it's better at expressing emotions than most non-curse words.

No, I take your point. For me, I feel that cursing has it's time and place. I wouldn't consider anyone (in any context) beneath me who swears I just think it's not appropriate in certain situations.

I have a friend who swears like a mad but she's a great person and interestingly as you mentioned, tends to be very honest.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I never fúcking swear, it’s so fûcking vulgar and rude and not one bit fücking impressive to anyone other than dim witted bastards.

Roger_007

Are the Irish, (particularly Dublin Irish), the only nationality who manage to put an expletive in the middle of another word e.g. Absofcukinglutely?

Badly Drunk Boy

debok wrote: »

Words are just words. Just because someone decided one word is bad over another word. It's just sounds. I don't get why people can be disgusted because someone said a certain word.

Okay, it came about that certain words are 'bad' but knowing this, you have decided to use that word over another. You used that word because it is deemed to be bad. (I know that in different groupings in society, words can have different severity and acceptance.)

Roger_007 wrote: »

Are the Irish, (particularly Dublin Irish), the only nationality who manage to put an expletive in the middle of another word e.g. Absofcukinglutely?

Australians definitely do that, and Brits probably do too, to a lesser extent.

Odyssey 2005

Mind you're own fukin business. Hope your not going to one of the affected schools.

Graces7

debok wrote: »

Words are just words. Just because someone decided one word is bad over another word. It's just sounds. I don't get why people can be disgusted because someone said a certain word.

You mean you have no idea what the f word means? or why it is inappropriate and offensive? wow.

mr_fegelien

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

No, I take your point. For me, I feel that cursing has it's time and place. I wouldn't consider anyone (in any context) beneath me who swears I just think it's not appropriate in certain situations.

I have a friend who swears like a mad but she's a great person and interestingly as you mentioned, tends to be very honest.

Would your friend ever swear at someone?

People seem to think its ruder to swear at someone that to swear in general? Is that true?

IamMetaldave

Way too often.. I have cut it back recently, but it’s still there.

[Deleted User]

It's punctuation.

Greyfox

Graces7 wrote: »

You mean you have no idea what the f word means? or why it is inappropriate and offensive? wow.

No they just pointed out the fact that its inappropriate because people decided it was inappropriate. Words can change there meaning over time e.g people don't get offended any more if there called a basterd

It's all about how the word is used, used correctly f*ck is one of the most versatile words in the English language. Sometimes saying the x is f*cked or holy f*ck when something shocking happens is good use of the english language. Calling someone a f*cking b*tch in an angry voice is never ever ok though

So I use curse words often in a context that's grand and very rarely in a bad context

Graces7

Greyfox wrote: »

No they just pointed out the fact that its inappropriate because people decided it was inappropriate. Words can change there meaning over time e.g people don't get offended any more if there called a basterd

It's all about how the word is used, used correctly f*ck is one of the most versatile words in the English language. Sometimes saying the x is f*cked or holy f*ck when something shocking happens is good use of the english language. Calling someone a f*cking b*tch in an angry voice is never ever ok though

So I use curse words often in a context that's grand and very rarely in a bad context

You clearly do not know the basic meaning...a demeaning one.. also I would be mortally offended to be called a bastard for any reason.

and it is never holy... and never necessary.

But then we live and walk in different circles. and I am very old now and was brought up not to swear.
When I was market trading, one day in Donegal a man stopped to talk to a neighbour by my stall. and every other word was the f word,,, gross... on and on he went, So I started singing softly and he stopped and told me I had a lovely voice.... singing now!

as I walk away into the wild wind and sunshine to clear my head of these curse words! Most folk I know never curse and I respect that

Graces7

circadian wrote: »

It's punctuation.

:eek: what are they teaching over here!

The Crazy Cat Lady

i curse in my head a lot but rarely out loud, sometimes it does slip out though

Greyfox

Graces7 wrote: »

You clearly do not know the basic meaning...a demeaning one.. also I would be mortally offended to be called a bastard for any reason.

and it is never holy... and never necessary.

But then we live and walk in different circles. and I am very old now and was brought up not to swear.
When I was market trading, one day in Donegal a man stopped to talk to a neighbour by my stall. and every other word was the f word,,, gross... on and on he went, So I started singing softly and he stopped and told me I had a lovely voice.... singing now!

as I walk away into the wild wind and sunshine to clear my head of these curse words! Most folk I know never curse and I respect that

I know where the word came from and its meaning and its meaning is due to what we decided it meant, its still just a word. mortally offended? its used all the time in Ireland in jest, been offended by basterd today is like been offended by been called a fruitcake, the b word has lost is meaning as people have enough common sense to know there's nothing wrong with been born out of wedlock

I don't like swearing either but f*ck has now become a normal part of communication if its said the right way, sometimes the f word can come across as funny. Its now only sometimes inappropriate or rude

I have been in the company of people who rudely curse quite often and its a really horrible experience

Church on Tuesday

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Would your friend ever swear at someone?

People seem to think its ruder to swear at someone that to swear in general? Is that true?

Nah she's not a **** like that.

Potential-Monke

I do think it's changing with the times. My parents, now in their 70s, would have been warned not to curse, and chastised for it. As mentioned above, bastard is a word that had very strong emotional connections back in the day, as being a bastard was looked down upon, thank you Catholic church (in Ireland anyway). Now, children are born outside of wedlock more often than in wedlock and the Catholic church no longer has the strong hold it once had on our nation.

I do agree that constant, non-stop cursing in every sentence can come across as bad, and i'm guilty of it myself, depending on how bad of a day I had. I personally think we should be teaching kids that words are just words.

maudgonner

Malcolm Tucker ruined cursing for me. I mean, if you can't do Tucker-level cursing, then really, what's the point.

In the words of the great man: “You are a real boring f***. Sorry, I know you disapprove of swearing, so I’ll sort that: you are a boring ‘F star star C**T!'”