Cuss words

[Tyler]

What moron decided to take a few choice words, call them "cuss words" and decide that they aren't fit to be used in public? Are they really that offensive? Am I really hurting anything if I say "Shit" instead of "crap"? Honestly, does it physically hurt you?

[Puffin]

I only use cuss words if I find them appropriate; that is, if my reaction or emotions are strong enough at the time. I find that it's pointless to use them in completely regular situations, like casual speaking.

[Tyler]

I only use cuss words if I find them appropriate; that is, if my reaction or emotions are strong enough at the time. I find that it's pointless to use them in completely regular situations, like casual speaking. I'm not asking how often you cuss, or why you cuss. I'm asking why cuss words are labeled as cuss words, why they have a more negative meaning. If I drop something important that I'm holding, I might say "Shit!" Others might say "Crap!" or "Jeez!" But some people would hold it against me for cussing. Why? It isn't hurting anyone, and there is no reason why the word "shit" should be any more offensive than "crap" considering they both mean the same thing.

[Xei]

Uh well because otherwise we wouldn't have any cuss words. The whole point of them is to be offensive... cos, y'know... the whole point of words is to have meanings and functions. If you want to talk about poo, say 'excrement' or something. If you want to insult somebody, call them a shit. Swearing is pretty useful if you use it sparingly.

[Tyler]

Uh well because otherwise we wouldn't have any cuss words. The whole point of them is to be offensive... cos, y'know... the whole point of words is to have meanings and functions. If you want to talk about poo, say 'excrement' or something. If you want to insult somebody, call them a shit. Swearing is pretty useful if you use it sparingly. But 'excrement' and 'shit' mean the same thing. It doesn't make sense that 'shit' is an insult while 'excrement' isn't.

[Spartiate]

But 'excrement' and 'shit' mean the same thing. It doesn't make sense that 'shit' is an insult while 'excrement' isn't. But "You little piece of excrement" doesn't have the same ring to it.

[Puffin]

Maybe they just wanted some words to serve a certain purpose; eg. being a stronger or more powerful version of another word. That's how I think of it.

[Xei]

But 'excrement' and 'shit' mean the same thing. No they don't. 'Excrement' isn't an offensive word. 'Shit' is. Look it up in the OED.

[Replicon]

I'm a firm believer that context matters WAY more than content, in these cases. Like if you're crashing at someone's house, and they say "just put your shit over there" it's not the fact that they're saying "shit" instead of "stuff" that makes it potentially offensive - it's the vibe/manner/emotion they say it with. You can say "put your stuff over there" in a real contemptuous manner, and it will be just as "offensive" as saying it with "shit" I think the thing that's real pathetic is that the word "cuss" exists - someone thought it too offensive to use the word "curse" to describe curse words. It's like, double-offended-dereference!

[Tyler]

I'm a firm believer that context matters WAY more than content, in these cases. Like if you're crashing at someone's house, and they say "just put your shit over there" it's not the fact that they're saying "shit" instead of "stuff" that makes it potentially offensive - it's the vibe/manner/emotion they say it with. You can say "put your stuff over there" in a real contemptuous manner, and it will be just as "offensive" as saying it with "shit" I think the thing that's real pathetic is that the word "cuss" exists - someone thought it too offensive to use the word "curse" to describe curse words. It's like, double-offended-dereference! I don't know about using cuss because curse is more offensive, I've just grown up usually hearing it referred to as cussing, but you seem to understand what I mean. If I'm carrying something and I ask someone like a teacher or my dad "Where should I put this shit?" in a not-contemptous manner, and they would get mad because I'm cussing.

[Xei]

I think 'cuss' must be an Americanism... over here it's just 'swear'. I don't recall hearing 'cuss'.

[Puffin]

I hear "cuss", "curse", and "swear". I think it really depends on the person. I've never heard "expletive" other than online, though.

[slayer]

I never cuss in real life.

[Kaizer]

I don't know about using cuss because curse is more offensive, I've just grown up usually hearing it referred to as cussing, but you seem to understand what I mean. If I'm carrying something and I ask someone like a teacher or my dad "Where should I put this shit?" in a not-contemptous manner, and they would get mad because I'm cussing. Interestingly, this is generally how people consider swear words in Sweden. It has a lot more to do with tone than actual wording. Also, suggesting that a swede is dishonest, negligent, unfaithful, or complains a lot will probably get you punched. Whereas if you call someone "knullande idiot" (fucking idiot), they'll probably just laugh.

[Tyler]

I never cuss in real life. You want a cookie?

[Siиdяed]

It's one of the most obvious examples of how powerful words can be. I fucking love that. I wouldn't define them simply as offensive, because context is obviously a large factor, and the use and intent varies wildly, but it has an impact and function same as all language. I agree that censorship should be thought out rather than automatic. I dislike people intensely when they automatically decide swearing in art (film, TV, literature, whathaveyou) either cheapens it or makes it 'edgy and cool'. It does lots of things. Used sparingly and with good timing it can make a beautifully emphatic moment. Used frequently and gratuituously it can make it clear that you can't relax or just idly contemplate the piece, because it naturally makes you uncomfortable or at least aware that something taboo is happening (though this has been misused so many times it's hard to do with any credibility these days). It's a powerful language tool. A gift, some might say. Use it wisely.

[anderj101]

This makes me want to watch Scarface again... LOL

[Siиdяed]

But 'excrement' and 'shit' mean the same thing. It doesn't make sense that 'shit' is an insult while 'excrement' isn't. They're words. Words evolve slowly and have mixed origins and histories that mean mixed connotations and little niche functions and so on. Words are complicated. Shit and excrement only mean the same thing in a rough sense. Using each has a different effect. Same as all synonyms change the meaning and effect. It can be slight or notable. Plus shit is a blunt and sharp sounding word. Same as fuck, cunt, twat, and so on. They're ugly words with harsh sounds when spoken. But there's a whole lot of other historic, social and so on reasons. Anyway.

[slayer]

You want a cookie? Well now that you've asked...

[greenhavoc]

No they don't. 'Excrement' isn't an offensive word. 'Shit' is. Look it up in the OED. i didn't realize shit was an offensive word until you pointed it out to me

[khh]

The other day I watched an American TV-show, in which two teenagers had to shuffle away some cow droppings as a punishment. One of them said "I have never seen so much shBEEEEEP in my life". It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Point of the story: Some Americans have a screwed up view of cursing.

[greenhavoc]

apparently you're right, i've yet to understand your point

[Indeed]

I miss the days when we insulted each other with heart and actual creativity.

[DuB]

Steven Pinker, a psycho-linguist at Harvard and all-around brilliant science writer, has a very interesting discussion of swearing, euphemisms/dysphemisms, and "taboo words" more generally in the online talk embedded in spoiler tags below. With regards to swearing specifically, his main thesis can be very roughly summed up in the following line taken from his powerpoint slides: "Swearing = Using language as a weapon to force a listener to think an unpleasant (or at least emotionally charged) thought." In the discussion, he systematically unpacks this thesis in some very interesting ways. The discussion begins at about 20:33 and ends at about 40:37, so it's about a 20-minute segment. Check it out. Spoiler for video:

[Xei]

Stephen Pinker is a groovy guy... I scanned one of his books when I was younger and he asked some really interesting questions which sparked my interest (questions like China brain). Though I seem to remember really disagreeing with him about something... can't remember what it was now though.