Swear words in online forums

I don’t think Kenneth Tynan ( the first person to use the F word on tv had a lack of intelligence or vocabulary.

There are several articles saying this but I chose the Daily Mail one because... well, just because. Seems apt, somehow.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9189539/Science-reveals-swearing-sign-intelligence-creativity-helps-endure-pain.html

While we were brought up according to the standards that prevailed when we were children (in many cases post-war standards) things have changed, in many ways for the better. These days all generations feel able to express themselves with far more freedom and swear words are no longer considered the province of the illiterate or unintelligent. They are now common currency and, sometimes, nothing says it better than a choice swear word or three.

There is a time and a place for swear words and they are no longer the refuge of the ignorant. Nevertheless I tend not to like too much of it in everyday communication, verbal or otherwise.

volver

There are several articles saying this but I chose the Daily Mail one because... well, just because. Seems apt, somehow.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9189539/Science-reveals-swearing-sign-intelligence-creativity-helps-endure-pain.html

Agree...I aways thought a good swear makes you feel less stressed.
I don't know anyone who doesn't pepper there language with the odd swear word.

I don't think there's many who haven't used a swear word or three when things go wrong but I think they lose their power if sprinkled liberally in general conversation.

Isn't the problem that the use of swear words has become so common place that you hear people using the "f" word in every sentence and it is no longer used just to release stress or because someone has a sudden pain. In order to achieve the same "effectiveness" people are using much worse words - how often do we now see and hear the word c**t!

There are times when only a good swear word will do! And having worked with words my entire life, I'd like to think I have a larger vocabulary than many...

I must move in different circles to you Oldwoman as I don’t hear or see the c word - nor do I want to.
We have so many words to express ourselves with and I hope that word does not become commonplace.

It's really important that the status quo does not change on swear words.

If the percentage of offended people falls too far, I won't get any satisfaction or catharsis out of dropping the odd swearbomb

I do swear occasionally not f or c (well Ok sometimes the former on a golf course but only the bunker and I can hear it) but I just don't like the sound of it in general use it is unpleasant and harsh and for me it spoils some really good TV and films. Nothing to be done about it I suppose.

I was brought up to believe all sorts of things that I don't now. I have a mind of my own.

I think that there is a time and a place for swearing - if there weren't, the words would lose any power they have. I'm not interested in shocking people, and wouldn't swear if I thought someone would be upset by it (ditto, and more especially blasphemy). Deliberately causing offence is childish, IMO.

I do swear though, and only c**t offends me. Not the word itself, but the fact that an intimate part of the female body is considered to be the worst insult that can be used. It's even worse when people use it, then apologise and say that extreme circumstances made it ok by exception.

I can cope with the occasional F word when necessary but hate to hear it sprinkled casually in conversation. I really love Gervais but just hate his frequent use of the c word. Grrrr!

Also my big NO NO is mother******. Absolutely horrible, and Americans seem to use it a lot in their movies, and very casually. What is going on there? Why would anyone except scumbags and drug dealers want to use that word?

There are regional differences in levels of acceptable swearing but it's only the middle classes who judge people for it

I dislike the c word too, even though it's a very fitting word for some people

It's even worse when people use it, then apologise and say that extreme circumstances made it ok by exception.

I used to work in a very male organisation. One colleague in particular, younger than me, used to use the f-word then apologise to me. I guess he thought I would melt into a puddle with shock at hearing such a word, but wanted to use it anyway.

Things changed the day I told him to get tae f***.

I agree Chestnut, I hate the 'C' word, it makes me flinch and the casual use of mother***** is appalling, the odd F doesn't bother me , if in context, and I have been known to use it myself, generally in private, often when watching Question Time

I never hear the 'c' word used at all. I'm an inveterate swearer but that word is a step too far even for me to use.

Sometimes only a swear word will do - b*****r being my one of choice. most recently when I put milk in my mum's warm squash drink instead of my coffee.

I think comedians over-use swearwords and I don't really understand why they do - the shock value has long gone.

On forums, which the OP was talking about, there is time to consider language used, so I guess swearing indicates a strong feeling about something. I understand the sentiment but prefer the use of asterisks rather than the complete word just because I'm a bit of a prude I suppose.

c**t t**t and motherf*****r are complete no-goes for me and I walk away from conversations where they are in use.

I do like the mumsnet favourite 'goadyf*cker', it usually seems so apt.

But when the f*ck replaces 'um' or 'err' in a conversation it gets very boring.

Lixy
At a quick glance I thought your favourite swear word was the same as mine but then I saw it wasn’t enough letters 🤣

I think swearing, with some discretion, is perfectly fine. On GN, I'd be inclined to use the asterisks, just to avoid offending anyone. The most intelligent person I know uses a generous peppering of the f word in everyday speech, as emphasis - unless small children are present.

I'm known to use the odd cuss, but I do find that overuse does lessen the impact. I have to remind one of my grown sons to take it easy, he has become too easy with sprinkling in swear words in everyday conversation, even when children are around.

I think there's a time and place. I remember when my DH went from a workshop environment to working in the hospital he had to change his ways. I do find that 'shop talk' is often sprinkled liberally with swearing, and some people find it harder than others to turn it off for a different environment.

I once tried using the 'f' word to express anger or frustration or something, but it didn't help, so I haven't bothered since.

The Germans have a few words which are really beyond the pale but they don't get the concept of wear words being unacceptable in certain circumstances. I once told a colleague of DH ( an English teacher!) that f* would be bleeped out on YouTube and American TV and radio. He had no idea!

I have to admit that I too "admire" (is that the right word?) some of the swear words used on MN. Cockwomble is a good one as is Cocklodger (used to describe a male partner who doesn't contribute financially or emotionally. I also snigger at the word wankpuffin although I don't know what it means. I am rather childish really.