1/20/07
Cussing
Ok so, lets just skip the crap and get right to it. What makes a cuss word a cuss word? Why is it "cussing" when you say sh*t, and not when you say crap? Is it the tone or intent of your words? You can say crap with the same intent and ferocity that you say sh*t with. Why are those words cuss words and all the rest not? Why do I feel compelled to write sh*t and not cr*p? Is it because I don't want to offend anyone, or because I have been taught that it is a bad word? I just don't understand the whole "that’s a bad word don't say it," when its a word like all rest. Shucks, shoot, snap , son of a sea-snail....what’s the difference? Really...what is the actual difference? It can't be the definition of the words, I mean come on, b*tch= female dog, wow, that’s just got to be the worst cut down ever. Whoever elected that word to be one of the worst in our vocabulary needs to be shot. Ok I think its over now...yeah I'm done.
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3 comments:
son of a sea snail. Now thats a word I will be using from now on.
Im glad you liked it, Jeff read it, and he won't stop saying it now...haha
I can't believe we haven't had this discussion before now! I'm certain we've touched on it sometime in your life, but since it obviously didn't stick with you, I'll put it down in writing. Maybe you can let your kids read it if the archives last that long :-)
It is my learned (must be pronounced learn-ed for the proper effect) opinion, "cuss words", or better yet "profanity", can be labeled such for two main reasons. Some because of their meaning or definition, and others because of the attitude behind the word.
One definition of profanity is: "profane conduct or language; a profane act or utterance", another is "Abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language".
Considering that conduct (I go a step further and say attitude) can be profane, then it wouldn't matter what word you use if the attitude behind it is abusive, vulgar, etc.
At the same time, even if one's attitude is right, the definition of some words are vulgar - profane. And many people use these words in everyday conversations and are not intending the word's true meaning to be inserted there - but words have meaning and if a person doesn't intend it to mean that in their conversation, they shouldn't use those vulgar words - they serve no purpose.
There are many words (cr*p being one of them) that I don't use and prefer my family not use. One relative of mine would often say "Poop in a bottle" when they were exasperated - this sounded vulgar to me because of what is pictured when you think of what is actually being said. That's not what they were trying to communicate, it was just something funny to say. but it was profane.
This is getting long and I have much more to say - but I'll save it for the time being to see if anyone even cares about it.
Later.
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