What is your attitude to swearing?

I have never actually written an 'f' or 'c' word. I would never use the 'c' word, anyway but have used the 'f' word when furiously angry. If I think about it, I've used it only when furiously angry with DH, but never my children.

We could just copy and paste our opinions from the Burka thread...

I hate swearing. My father was a violent, abusive man and constantly used foul language in the house in front of us children. I think since then I have associated swearing with horrible people although I realise that is not always the case.

I will occasionally use the f word to myself when very frustrated by something going wrong. I'm more likely though to say 'merde'

My dad was a naval man, Im married to a builder, and spent most of my life in male dominated environment - so I have heard people swear all the time, I don't like it around little children and don't like the c word much, but honestly? Blaspheming annoys me more - they are the only words the bible tells us not to use, yet people say God and Christ and Jesus all the time

I think swearing is just laziness basically

I swear lavishly with DH at times and to a lesser extent with one particular male friend. Not with anybody else, friends or family, because I think they would not like it.

I never mind hearing or reading the f word. Not so keen on the c word except in the funny and feisty way it is occasionally used on Mumsnet.

Oh I have occasionally used the f word in road rage or other rage incidents with strangers.

Why do we have to have a consensus, why can't we agree to disagree on a topic, let's face it you are not going to get everyone to agree one way or the other.

I can't think of anyone I know who feels comfortable with a young child swearing and as I have always believed in modelling the behaviours I want from my children and grandchildren I don't swear (actually I have never sworn except for repeating verbatim what others have said). I was brought up in a house where swearing was the norm and like KatyK I hated it. Similarly I don't blaspheme. Having said that, I rarely pass judgement on what others choose to say, but none of my swearing friends or family seem to swear in my presence except on very rare occasions.

When in labour (no anaesthetic) I had the midwives in hysterics by saying "oh dear, oh dear" very forcefully!!

I swear most of the time. But not in public [except once when I thought I thought I'd finished at work and someone came in at the last minute as I was shouting 'oh bo****cks' because I'd dropped something]. Just heard this voice saying 'Tegan, I never thought you spoke like that'. Never in front of the grandchildren and never in print. I do swear a lot when working with one boss who swears more than I do, but not with any of the others [who don't].

It's clearly been around for a wee while judging by some of the quotations I have come across:

"Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent." - Dionysius of Halicarnassus

"To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise." -Alexander Pope

But on a more positive note - reminding us of what we can do, I like this one by Tom Stoppard:

"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little."

I swear myself, but weigh up where it's appropriate or not. Definitely not in the presence of children. I appreciate that some may be offended and curb it in those situations.

I do swear occasionally. It relieves the tension/anger/frustration or whatever. Having said that, I hate hearing women swear, particularly in public, and each time I vow I will try to curb my use of naughty words. Some horrible swear words seem to be used in every day life by many people and that shocks me. Billy Connelly used the 'f' word in his show with gay abandon and now that word seems to be almost accepted in everyday life.

Don't like to see the 'f' word either written down or on stage unless it truly enhances the storyline. In look back in anger 'pucillanimous bitch' (apologies for spelling) had such a wonderful ring to it who needed the 'f' word? Like Marelli OH gets the 'f' word when I am furious with him and ex son in law often gets it said to describe him

As I have mentioned before on another thread I am more likely to be upset by blaspheming so I do agree with you susieb. Occasionally one of my granddaughters oversteps the mark and that is when grandma looks over the top of her glasses at her!

Most of my swearing is done in the car - on my own. But today in the garden when caught up in a mess of invading brambles... I hope my neighours didn't hear me.

It's baaad !!!

My grandmother who was partly responsible for my upbringing could swear like a trooper, and did, my mum, when she was tired or angry could also let forth a salvo, but my dad, never in my presence, although he mixed with people on the edge of the law. Neither my other half nor I swear - although I am sure the other half does in the company of men. These days the 'f' word has absolutely no effect whatsoever, young people seem to use it all the time. I don't get offended if people swear in my company, just as long as they do not start swearing at me. They might be surprised if the did, I know a few ripe words, and might retaliate,although I would be mightily ashamed of myself.

I sometimes wish there was a function like on facebook where you could just'like' a response to a thread without actually having to make a comment yourself, boy would it have had some use today!

I swear when in my home if angered, not with my children or grandchildren, I accept the fact that people swear, I would be cross if anyone swore at me but it is blasphemy which causes me upset. I don't like swearing used in conversation but have no problem if anyone swears if distressed, angered , troubled

I was taught to swear as part of my therapy. The harsh guttural sounds in Fuck Fuck Fuck help to reduce tension.

You could say "Duck, duck, duck" in that case.

Doesn't have the same effect. Has to be a swear word with a guttural sound. It's all to do with release.

I have a couple of favourite mild swearwords - cr*p and S**t but only for use when in pain or really really annoyed. Thus Ex knew he had really done it this time when I swore at him in far more forceful terms, the only time I have ever done so. I don't mind other people doing it but hate to hear it in every sentence. Blasphemy - no problem. I can't even work out why it is a problem for other people, I probably need a good explanation but have never been given one.

Merde is good!