Thread: Why is swearing taboo?

Just curious, why exactly is swearing percieved as impolite and rude? They are just archaeic words, why are they wrong? And why when we say them when we are angry or happy, or more accuratley, experiencing intense emotions use them and only them for they are the only words that satisfy that emotion, such as when really angry: F&%K YOU YOU MOTHER... you get the point. Or HOLY S%&t that was awesome!

What is the purpose behind swear words being taboo and why are they words to use when feeling intense emotions?

I've had the thought that it shouldn't be so much the words themselves, but the way in which we say them/the context in which they're used. For example, the f-word is really just a word like any other word, so how can it be 'bad'? Well, it isn't, in my opinion, unless it's used in a derogative way such as "f-you" or whatever.

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

yes, but

F&%K YOU YOU MOTHER... you get the point. Or HOLY S%&t that was awesome!

are two examples in which God's name is not used. Unless his unofficial name is MOTHER...!

i'm sure you'll take offense if i call you a lame homosexual pig.

Originally Posted by dejawolf

i'm sure you'll take offense if i call you a lame homosexual pig.

only because it is the truth.

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

[

F&%K YOU YOU MOTHER... you get the point. Or HOLY S%&t that was awesome!

are two examples in which God's name is not used. Unless his unofficial name is MOTHER...!

However, the first, arguably breaks another commandment.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

In the second instance I am sure SV will acknowledge that only God and things directly associated with God are Holy. Therefore the expression Holy S%&t is an indirect abuse of the Lord's name.

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

[

F&%K YOU YOU MOTHER... you get the point. Or HOLY S%&t that was awesome!

are two examples in which God's name is not used. Unless his unofficial name is MOTHER...!

However, the first, arguably breaks another commandment.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

In the second instance I am sure SV will acknowledge that only God and things directly associated with God are Holy. Therefore the expression Holy S%&t is an indirect abuse of the Lord's name.

are these substitutes ok then? Surely God isn't a motherf***** retard.

He must understand what "Darn" stands for.

I'm agreeing with Chemboy on this one, all though you make a strong point Ophiolite.

I think it is just as bad for someone to use f*ck when they're angrey as if they are to say grape in the same context.

Just curious, why exactly is swearing percieved as impolite and rude?

Because that's what "swearing" means. If it isn't rude and impolite, it's not "swearing".

Webster defines swearing as "using profane or obscene language". Now you can follow up on the definition of those words. Both of them are inherently rude and impolite, by definition.

I think your question is ill-posed. I suppose you are really trying to ask why certain words are considered "swearing".

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

[

F&%K YOU YOU MOTHER... you get the point. Or HOLY S%&t that was awesome!

are two examples in which God's name is not used. Unless his unofficial name is MOTHER...!

However, the first, arguably breaks another commandment.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

In the second instance I am sure SV will acknowledge that only God and things directly associated with God are Holy. Therefore the expression Holy S%&t is an indirect abuse of the Lord's name.

Honour thy mother and father so thou may live in the house The LORD has provided you. Again another interpretation. I only say Holy sh!t once a day if such an event causes me to say it, and that event must be a positve one. Coming from me saying that is a huge compliment. Like when Demen Tolden in the maths section under his calculus chapters when he was describing with ease a lot of complicated mathematical text, I complimented him by saying those two words.

i don't remember the bible or the 10 commandments saying anything about scathological remarks

Originally Posted by marnixR

i don't remember the bible or the 10 commandments saying anything about scathological remarks

It's all in the interpretation of the words.

surely it is ok for atheist to swear then.

They don't live by the bible.

Should they be discriminated because other people believe in a book?

Damn that's right fuck of bitches.

I'm glad I live in a liberat country.

swearing isn't taboo everywhere.

Yes, if you've ever met any miners, you'll find swearing's the norm. Not swearing is considered taboo. Well, not really taboo, but they'll think you're effeminate and probably gay.

idem ditto for steel workers

and Jerry Springer attenedee types

really, you chaps should get out more.

Meanwhile, tv would suggest it is not taboo, rarely find a single film without it.

It's because you can't be "tough" without swearing or smoking.

Originally Posted by KALSTER

It's because you can't be "tough" without swearing or smoking.

well

if I watch a foreign film, I can detect the tough guy and have NO idea whether they are swearing or not, so yes, one can be tough without swearing BUT, they add swearing as they feel the public desire to hear it.

Thus not taboo anymore, else it would remain banned as it was in the 50's.

Swear words are even creeping into the oxford dictionary are they not?

Originally Posted by TvEye

Yes, if you've ever met any miners, you'll find swearing's the norm. Not swearing is considered taboo. Well, not really taboo, but they'll think you're effeminate and probably gay.

When I worked offshore on drillling rigs it was ****ing mandatory to say **** in just about every ****ing sentence, whether it was ****ing relevant , or ****ing not. Some ****ing people, ****ing said ****ing even more ****ing often than that. I mean, ****!

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

Originally Posted by TvEye

Yes, if you've ever met any miners, you'll find swearing's the norm. Not swearing is considered taboo. Well, not really taboo, but they'll think you're effeminate and probably gay.

When I worked offshore on drillling rigs it was ****ing mandatory to say **** in just about every ****ing sentence, whether it was ****ing relevant , or ****ing not. Some ****ing people, ****ing said ****ing even more ****ing often than that. I mean, ****!

Right, to some Londoners is good manners to swear:

"Fu>k off and have a break I'll cover yer shift you fu>king cnut".

sv, i think your example still has the intention to be offensive
ophi's isn't : miners, steel workers + offshore workers use the f-word as structural filling in their sentences, a bit like extra punctuation

Well he was looking out for me on my shift and his tone was friendly so as you say it must have been punctuation. Never the less there was no offense intended in it. Its my topic anyway so I'll post what I like marnix.

Originally Posted by svwillmer

Well he was looking out for me on my shift and his tone was friendly so as you say it must have been punctuation. Never the less there was no offense intended in it.

i take back what i said
now that you've explained the circumstances under which it was said, i agree that it is an example of the same

which goes to show : it's not the words that are offensive, but the way they are said (or not, as the case may be)

Which supports that tone and body language makes up 90% of human communication.

I figure it is taboo as long as it's geting shaded in posts, and I don't mean to be rude when I say fuck, You see it posted the full word. Each of you shaded out the words your self. Why would you do that if it isn't taboo.

many forums would translate your 'fuck' automatically to '****', so people have got into the habit of self censure

Yeah, good point.