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What is your attitude to swearing?

(67 Posts)
kittylester Sat 21-Sept-13 15:29:09

Does it offend you?
Do you think it's a lazy way out?
Do you think it's funny?
Do you do it?
Are there different levels of swearing?

Maybe we can reach some sort of consensus on what we want on GN. sunshine

thatbags Sun 22-Sept-13 19:18:30

Used impersonally, such as when you drop a hammer on your foot, it doesn't bother me at all.

Occasional use for emphasis doesn't bother me either. Sometimes a swear word really is appropriate.

Much of the stuff that was regarded as swearing when I was a teenager (such as bloody hell, damn, oh hell) doesn't really count, to me, as swearing nowadays.

Perhaps it will be the same with the f and c words eventually. They will lose potency.

j08 Sun 22-Sept-13 19:18:17

People got themselves in an uproar Ariadne.

petallus Sun 22-Sept-13 19:14:20

kittylester grin

Ariadne Sun 22-Sept-13 19:13:46

It's not necessary, though, in public, is it? I think it shows a lack of self control, and, as we have seen, does nothing to aid the purpose of a conversation, if, ineed, one was even anticipated by the swearer.

BUT I am ready to admit that in the throes of fury, swearing happens; just so long as it is not used solely just to shock and offend and to get people in an uproar over the word rather than the purpose, should there be one.

Penstemmon Sun 22-Sept-13 19:05:15

I swear..to myself, sometimes at my DH, with (not at) good friends but never at work, in front of kids or with anyone i know may find it offensive!
I try not to use blasphemous language in the company of people that either I do not know or who I know will be upset by it.

I am not upset if I hear swearing but I might be upset if the swearing was part of a verbal abuse towards me or anyone else..and always if directed at a child.

kittylester Sun 22-Sept-13 19:02:45

J52 jingle will be with you before long. Then you'll have to fight over your number.

Kiora Sun 22-Sept-13 18:35:21

Oh dear I can really let rip but only in adult company and only ever in front of adults I used it about my daughters ex who made her, our grandchildren's and our life a living hell over 15 years. I'v recently used it a lot after my 2 sisters ruined my fathers funeral and treated our youngest sister abominably.there are probably lots of occasions when i'v used foul language I really should be ashamed but I'm not because. I don't use it as part of my every day language or in public. It's always privately with people who know me well. My husband is Irish and both he and his family say the f word starting with fe and I don't know why but it never sounds offensive mostly it makes me laugh. ..... Will I be expelled now that i'v admitted it?

J52 Sat 21-Sept-13 21:30:28

Hi Galen, no J52 all the way through- just like rock! X

Galen Sat 21-Sept-13 21:24:13

Hi J52! Wondered for a moment if you were J08!
I agree with your post!

J52 Sat 21-Sept-13 21:16:46

If the F word is used to describe a noun then offence can be taken if that noun is a person or implies a person's particular belief or racial observance.x

Atqui Sat 21-Sept-13 21:08:33

IMO it's a matter of consideration for others. Attitudes have changed. I'm sure my children use the F word frequently amongst their peer group, but they don't use it amongst older family members,or in the street (I hope). I sometimes swear to myself ,or when in company of close friends whom I know will accept it in dire circumstances. However, when in the company of people I don't know so well,Iwouldnt dream of using F word in case it offended someone. It's no hardship not on swear in those circumstances.
I hate blasphemy, due to my Christian upbringing I suppose. I certainly wouldn't swear on a forum, as it has many readers of different sensibilities, whom I would not wish to upset.

bikergran Sat 21-Sept-13 20:28:38

lol lol @ Greatnan lol. oh that tickled me ,,grin

Greatnan Sat 21-Sept-13 20:01:23

I have decided I like 'Jesus in a burka' for next time I stub my toe. I don't subscribe to blasphemy, as I am an atheist.
The Americans seem to be more inventive with their swear words, such as the one that implies the person being sworn at has had carnal relations with his mother.
Billy Connolly's swearing seems benign, whilst that of Frankie Boyle seems vicious.
Having had men in various countries try to chat me up, I have found that 'piss off' said with vehemence is universally understood.

Anne58 Sat 21-Sept-13 19:50:44

I can swear like a trooper if it comes to it, but ultimately I think it comes down to a matter of a time and a place.

PS. I still think that there is a good argument/reason for adopting the rules of other forums, i.e. no swear words in the title, but feel free to say what you like in the actual post.

BTW, it was Bad Mothers Club (which I think is now Real Mothers Club?) that had that rule, and that forum was pretty up front, in that usually it was no holds barred, language wise. Although I haven't been on there for a while, I don't seem to remember quite as much bloody discord as there currently seems to be on here!

(Tin Helmet, wait for the fall out/ricochet/dissension/ delete where not effing applicable.)

Nelliemoser Sat 21-Sept-13 19:43:59

I have been very bad in the past with swearing. I think it has been something to do with a constant admonition from my mum "Don't get cross." So I use/d swearing as a release of frustration, or anger instead of getting angry or, god forbid, crying in front of others. I do my best not to issue the F word but it does not always work.

absent Sat 21-Sept-13 19:37:04

Strangely enough – oh no, I sound like an ex-poster – I never swear when I am seriously hurt. I just go silent – I even cry silently. I do swear at other times, sometimes copiously. However, I tend not to swear in writing. If there is a god or are gods, I can't help feeling that he/she/they can take perfectly good care of themselves whatever names I take in vain.

Galen Sat 21-Sept-13 19:28:34

Merde is good!

janerowena Sat 21-Sept-13 19:23:19

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.

vampirequeen Sat 21-Sept-13 18:50:54

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

gracesmum Sat 21-Sept-13 18:49:27

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

vampirequeen Sat 21-Sept-13 18:45:53

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

Anniebach Sat 21-Sept-13 18:30:33

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

Divawithattitude Sat 21-Sept-13 17:53:41

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!

PRINTMISS Sat 21-Sept-13 17:35:14

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.

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 17:24:26

It's baaad !!!