bad language

On one forum I go on, it isn`t possible to write the football team Arsenal, comes up as a load of asterisks! On another, if a rude word is used to describe someone, it`s changed to "jolly silly person".

Don't get the idea that I go around swearing all the time. Normally I don't. Just when stressed. I don't consider it a big deal.

I enjoy swearing on here. It can add something to a post.

My grandsons have been known to come out with the odd one or two. Learned off their granny no doubt. So long as it's not within hearing of their mum or dad we're ok.

Just for interest's sake, do those who feel comfortable with swearing also feel comfortable with their/other people's children using swear words?

I find the use of four letter words as a sort of punctuation very depressing, especially when some people seem to have a very limited vocabulary of longer words. (Yes I do use them myself, usually when I'm alone and swearing at myself.) But I did love Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, the way his swearing took flight and became a new art form. It was a use of language way beyond the average hoodie on a street corner.

If anyone reading it is able to fill in the blanks, the rude word is in their mind, not the poster's.

We innocent ones know that F**k stands for flak, doesn't it? As in "Get the flak out of here" - ie, "Go away and take the explosives with you" or "He f****d up the job good and proper" ie, "He demolished it, just like shooting it down"

I object to Granny23's rude soup

If we put a * or two in is it still a rude word?

I remember being barred from posting 'cock-a-leekie' soup on Martins Money Tips recipe section. Somehow 'male hen & leek' soup does not have the same ring to it

I often think 'ffs' in my head, seldom actually say it except when 'venting' and even then usually when I'm alone in a room.

Because I do use it so infrequently it certainly has an impact on anyone within earshot.

The 'c' word, used as an insult, is extremely offensive to me but I have used it once in a scrabble game after giving an 'extreme sweary word' warning!

I'm not offended by swearing, but simply bored with it. There's so much of it around that it just washes over me. English is a wonderful language with a huge and rich vocabulary - why not make full use of it rather than fall back on the same few obscenities to convey anger, frustration or irritation?

Worried now that I may have used it, good chance that I have at some point.

And celeb has it spot on when she says that what offends some doesn't offend others. So, there lies the rub – who decides what is or isn't offensive? Better to leave things open and free.

Besides, there isn't a swearing problem on GN.

When people say "offended", I often wonder if what they really mean is that something makes then feel uncomfortable. I've read plenty of stuff on Gransnet that makes me uncomfortable, and plenty of stuff I dislike. As grown ups I think we ought to be able to deal with a bit of discomfort without feeling the need for censorship. #freespeechandfreely

The fact that I'm not offended by the very occasional appearance of the f word on here does not mean I lack standards, celebgran.

just a question of standards rather than being grown ups merlotgran, just the reverse if we feel need for expletives could not agree more jaineainsworth but I must stress each to his own.

What offends some does not others we are all different.

Why should anything be deleted. We're all grown ups.....aren't we?

your right ana

celeb have you ever looked at Mumsnet? If they deleted our swear words they'd have to delete theirs - there wouldn't be much of some posts left!

I don't think you rattled anyone Celeb.
I have to admit to frequent verbal use of b*gg*r, bl**dy, sh*t and even s*d, but I don't like to hear the F-word or the C-word spoken out loud.
I know that in medieval times the usage was different, but I think that the increasing use of these particular words by young men in recent years is a symptom of increasing misogyny in our society, which has manifested itself in a very ugly way this week in the internet abuse of Prof Mary Beard, as discussed on the other thread.

just puzzled it is not deleted like most Forums really Bags.

Puzzled rather than rattled, celeb. Swearing is used so seldom on GN it's hardly noticeable. No harm in giving the subject an airing now and then though.

interesting, thanks for you comments, always remember our english teacher saying yonks ago similar to harrigran the dictionary is full of other words and swearing is form of laziness, just seems on unecessary on a forum but of course that is just my opinion.

have to admit to swearing quite a bit when rattled with dear OH AND others just hate to see it in print and never think it is necessary as said above.

Thanks ladies sorry if rattled anyone.

Elegran Regardless of the vocabulary used, how often do nuns discuss copulation?