The F Word

mrsgreenfingers56 we must be of the same generation. I was also taught that swearing was lack of command of the English Language. I hate hearing the 'f' word on or in public. Recently at breakfast in a hotel, a man who was sitting at the next table used the 'f' word every other word. I asked him if he had to use that language when the room was full of children. He mocked me at first putting on a 'posh' accent but he did stop.

that is another reason I dislike it so much Kerranhappuch

I so dislike it
bought a book, written by the person who wrote the Harry Potter books, under another name,, I was .... shaking head...

just don`t get it..

When I was a child no man would swear in front of women or children and decent women didn't swear either. My mother never swore her whole life. Things have changed, however, and now swear words have become common parlance. I find the f word particularly unpleasant and not one I would ever use but youngsters today hear it all around them and they just use it without thinking.

I totally agree with you! What is worse is hearing this word flung about in the street by people who have no command whatsoever of our beautiful language - usually young lads!

Nowadays it seems that the "F" word means nothing when you hear a group of teenagers using it for virtually every other word!
Maybe they should bring in a new law as they did in Victoria, Australia , that it is an offence to swear in public with on the spot fines. But to make it successful, we'd need more police on the streets !

I'm completely desensitised to it after working with young offenders for several years. In fact I have to work hard on not using it myself in company where it may be offensive!

I sat through a routine by a popluar comedian recently.
I was warned that the performance "contained adult content" so I was alert for that.
I don't think I spotted it.... however the entire script was peppered, in a very liberal manner, with the F word.
I was not hugely impressed.

I think any word in the English Dictionary is part of our rich and varied English Language.

I choose not to use some, others have to make their own choices.

Some of the most educated people I know, Masters, PhD's use profanity more than the builders, tradesman etc. who come into our business premises.

I hate its over-use. If you hit your thumb with a hammer you'd come out with some bad language and that's acceptable but if it's every other word it loses its shock value, which I expect is its purpose. It's not big or clever to go on and on using it with little or no provocation.

Alone, if I'm annoyed I often use language which I'd consider unacceptable in company, then I keep a lid on it.

I completely disagree with the opinion that use of this or other swear word suggests that a person's command of the English language is poor. To me, that claim is just one of the many twee but totally unfounded 'facts' that were traditionally spouted at school children.

There are people of all social and educational backgrounds who swear, many of whom have a far better command of our language than average. Isn't it even said that members of our royal family frequently use some rather 'rich' language?

Dislike the word for whatever reason you like - I'm not very keen on it myself, though I remember with some embarrassment that I went through a phase of peppering my sentences with it as a student - but please don't fall back on this totally untrue twaddle!

I think we have all used swear words on occasion (some more than others). I don't like to hear swearing from some so called comedians who use it because they think it makes them "edgey".

What I really don't like is to hear young children swearing. I recently heard the 13 year old son of a neighbour calling his friend a m*****f*****. I stopped him and asked him to think about what that word literally meant and did he really think that about his friend. He paused, they both blushed to the roots of their hair and ran off. This word is used so often in films, music and tv that children use it without thinking.

Well, I absolutely hate the way it is just used as everyday language by so many. I am no paragon, but that is a word I would never use and I find it unpleasant if people around me are f’ing this or that.
As for so called celebrities and presenters .... it puts me off the film or programme.
Yes, if all this makes me a grumpy old woman or behind the times- so be it.

I recently read a book by a very well known celebrity, not really something I would have picked, but my husband heard her talking on the radio, and thought I’d like it.

It was quite entertaining, but spoilt for me by the amount of bad language, I just don’t think it’s necessary.

I gave up watching soaps ages ago but the content was absolutely ridiculous. No wonder kids are troubled.

I dislike it and dislike ‘f’ being used in posts . But it has become acceptable by many.

I have to say it does not bother me; it depends on the sentiment behind its use.

I agree in that I think its used when the persons command of the English language is poor. I can think of a dozen words Id use in its place with far more effect.

There seems to be , as Grammaretto says a whole slew of people that use it in place of any other term.

I can use it, I don't use it , I don't need to !

I hear it everyday either on the bus or in the street. It's used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, adverb and exclamation as in what the F***!! versatile

I hate it too but have got used to hearing it. I wouldn't want anyone in my family to use it, though I may be guilty of the occasional private outburst when all the strong words I know come storming out.

I agree too about TV programmes. Why the F***?

I dont like hearing it so much in films and TV- a well placed single swear word can be used in a humorous way but its very much overdone down. Perhaps it will be replaced by some other trendy new word.

I agree with Twice. It is just an adjective now. Once the word 'bloody' was unsayable, now it is mild.
The C word is different, it is a noun and if addressed to or about any person is very offensive

The word itself doesn’t bother me but it is the aggression behind it that does bother me.

There is so much aggression and hate being displayed both in the MSM and social media.

Much of what we see and hear is such a recent phenomena, it is linked especially with the rise in the far right.

I hate it as well. The F word is the most vile word and it is used so regularly now. It makes me cringe. Swearing is not necessary and I agree is does show a lack of command of the English language. I am with you all the way on this one!

It does not bother me although I understand why some do not like it. In my work adults and adolescents often swear when they are distressed or stressed and I don’t think then it matters.

I don’t like to hear it in front of small children but have to confess to sometimes using it myself mostly under my breath.

I absolutely hate the C word, that is beyond the pale!