Why do we Swear?

[sonicmega]

After coming across a particular article yesterday that discussed how the inclusion of swearing in our language is connected with the human psyche, I couldn't help but look into the aspects of my own swearing habits.

It may be hard to believe, but my language is a lot more colorful than it is when I chat to people over email and such, but don't think it's bad as in every other word, however. It's more of a "I use it when it really isn't necessary" kind of bad.

What it brought to mind is this: Why do we swear? Why do I swear?

It certainly, at least for me, isn't because of the fear of looking weak to those around me, as they frankly couldn't care less about my vulnerabilities. Nor is it because of peer pressure, since I am just about the most resistant person ever when it comes to social activites.

That doesn't mean it can't be peer pressure, however. I am reminded as I write this of when I went around town Saturday with a few friends of mine, one of whom is a girl I know quite well in regards to her religion. Nevertheless, I can't tell you how surprised I was at the fluency of "f*ck" and "damn" that came out of that mouth of hers. And knowing how often I swear?... that's bad. Not that religion means she shouldn't swear, but you just don't expect it.

I found out later that she always gets nervous when she's next to the person she's secretly in love with (who was driving HER car that night, FYI), and swearing is her way of relieving that stress. Sure, it may work, but is it worth it?

Although I doubt the article will have any impact on my state of swearing, it did allow me to come up with an interesting perspective; has swearing perhaps become so commonplace with adulthood that we have come to attach it as an inevitable sign of growing up? That may explain why younger kids have begun using such swear words after hearing them, under the impression that such language makes them older (which so many of us at the age of 6 wish for... silly, silly us.)

I can only hope it doesn't come to the point where a parent's reprimand to a child who lets out a bad word is, "watch your f*&%ing language". If it does, though, we are defintiely doomed.

discuss?

If I can find the link to that article again, I'll happily post it here.

[Zerok]

At 2/20/07 08:17 PM, sonicmega wrote: I can only hope it doesn't come to the point where a parent's reprimand to a child who lets out a bad word is, "watch your f*&%ing language". If it does, though, we are defintiely doomed.

That point has come and passed many years ago.

The article sounds like it'd be an interesting read.
Swearing, like many things, can be considered a rite of passage.
First, it's crazily taboo. Then it's sort of a grey area. Finally, it's commonplace.
Swearing can also be a great communication device, signaling urgency or emotion.

[AlphaCentauri]

Swearing is just a way to show you aren't intelligent enough to have better vocabulary to think of a more intelligent insult.

[BOZARTH187]

I like to fucking swear

[SonicKB]

If you wanna see some one who swears click that link down there

http://www.screwattack.com/Flash%20HTML/ANN/K arateKid/KK.html

[sonicmega]

At 2/20/07 08:20 PM, Zerok wrote:

The article sounds like it'd be an interesting read.

It was, trust me.

First, it's crazily taboo. Then it's sort of a grey area. Finally, it's commonplace.

The article mentioned at one point how some words that were considered bad words back then, such as "zounds" or "sucks", have been used so often yb today that they've literally lost their negative impact, and have basically become part of normal language. The same thing is starting to happen to tits, which is now even being heard in PG-13 movies.

I don't even want to say how often I've heard a character on Cartoon Network say "boob" (as in stupid person) while the younger kids were watching it.

[IdiotClown]

Some people swear just for attention. Others don't mean to swear, but words just slip out of their mouth.

[Electric-Bla]

watch your f*&%ing language".

Hey, I do that all the time. Of course, I use it as a joke. And I rarely swear, other than bloody.

And I'm not British so it doesn't count :P

[BMTSWhoIsJesus]

I have 4 words to answer your Question.

Fucking Freedom Of Speech.

[SonicKB]

Swearing is the fucking shit ya fuck!

[cookie-monsta1]

sometimes swearing is fun just in quantity like *holy shit that mutha fuker just got mutha fukin capped mutha fuka had two fukin kids shiiiiiiiit ar well bitch life goes on dikhead* as many black people in brooklyn say ^if u wanna be precise its like sheeeeeeeeeeet for some reason

[Zerok]

At 2/20/07 08:21 PM, AlphaCentauri wrote: Swearing is just a way to show you aren't intelligent enough to have better vocabulary to think of a more intelligent insult.

You're so wrong it hurts.

At 2/20/07 08:23 PM, sonicmega wrote: The article mentioned at one point how some words that were considered bad words back then, such as "zounds" or "sucks", have been used so often yb today that they've literally lost their negative impact, and have basically become part of normal language.

"Zounds"? Doesn't like, whatshisname from Scooby Doo say that all the time?

The same thing is starting to happen to tits, which is now even being heard in PG-13 movies.

Dude, you're behind on the times. They say "bastard" and "shit" on primetime TV nowadays.

[Bus-Driver]

Swearing is just a way for people to use a more intersting vocabulary than they actully have.

I say words that people then yeel at me for saying a swear!

[E-2]

I'll tell you why we swear.

FUCK YOU BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats why

[piemold]

Because swearing is the beloved crutch of the intellectually challenged. And humanity is fucking stupid.

[sonicmega]

At 2/20/07 08:26 PM, Zerok wrote:

At 2/20/07 08:23 PM, sonicmega wrote: The article mentioned at one point how some words that were considered bad words back then, such as "zounds" or "sucks", have been used so often yb today that they've literally lost their negative impact, and have basically become part of normal language.

"Zounds"? Doesn't like, whatshisname from Scooby Doo say that all the time?

Yeah, and the article even made a mention of that. "Zounds" was originally a combination of the words "God's" and "wounds", and was considered highly offensive. Now it's a cartoon character's tagline. Funny, huh?

And as for those of you who say "Freedom of Speech" to this, you always forget the SECOND part of that right; SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T INFRINGE ON SOMEONE ELSE'S RIGHTS. A right to the pursuit of happiness includes the right to bar yourself from hearing negative language, and unless the person hearing it doesn't care, you're breaking their rights.

[Puzzled]

We all swear to make ourselves look slick and cool but what we don't realize is that it makes us look plain old stupid and badly brought up.

[Flash-Rape]

we sear because we get mad and thats just expressing our anger.....
ppl who swear in ever sentence are the ones who are as intelligent with words......

[vWits]

Swearing lets people express how angry they are. I mean you wouldn't say "Get distant from my house! You prostitude!"

You would want to say, "Get the fuck out of my house, you skank!"

People may also you it in ways when something is awesome or amusing. For instance, "This is the most excellent game I have ever played."

People usually say, "Damn this game is the shit!!"

Case closed.

[Peaceblossom]

This year was the first year I heard any of my teacher's swear, and recently, my humanities teacher dropped the F-Bomb. Not so bad normally, however he used it as follows:

Kid: If I had a cathedral I'd turn it into a nightclub
Teacher: Stoppit, you are really annoying... really FUCKING annoying

yeah, must have made him feel bad.

[ObsessedOne]

go to the link "swearing" in my signature RIGHT NOW!

[ragingfred]

because its not cool to swear and we are all trying to be losers?

[Menace1989]

people swear to express emotion, to keep themselves from feeling weak, when they're around someone else who swears alot they may swear more often too, etc etc. That's lik asking why people live, every reason will be different, but many will not know why themselves.

[GoryBlizzard]

I don't swear to look cool or gain attention. I do it simply because it seems so natural to me. It's a habit acquired over many years and it would be difficult to give up swearing altogether.

[sonicmega]

At 2/20/07 08:49 PM, GoryBlizzard wrote: I don't swear to look cool or gain attention. I do it simply because it seems so natural to me. It's a habit acquired over many years and it would be difficult to give up swearing altogether.

It's hard to admit, but it's the truth. Once you start swearing on a regular basis, it feels as though you're throwing away a part of yourself if you throw away that habit.

[Seasons]

At 2/20/07 08:17 PM, sonicmega wrote: I can only hope it doesn't come to the point where a parent's reprimand to a child who lets out a bad word is, "watch your f*&%ing language". If it does, though, we are defintiely doomed.

That's a bit harsh of an example, but i think what's even worst for society is the fact that people would think this is such a big deal. People may be dying of starvation, but let's start a breaking news report about bad language around minors instead. Things like these aren't big deals.

I think parents should swear around their kids, and encourage their kids to swear as well. Removing the idea that swearing is bad, since they're all just words, would remove their appeal as 'cuss words'. They would be average words, and the kids would probably even start using them less, basically because they lost their 'flavor'. Maybe then society could move on to something that's actually important. It's small pettys like these that cause massive road blocks. Gay marriages are the same issue; These things shouldn't be a big deal.

All pro family christian groups should die out as soon as possible, so our world can try to move on and away from these annoying topics.

That's all extremely off topic, though.

[Para-Noid]

I swear when i'm mad, upset, sad, angry any kinda of mad only because It's a habbit I think.

[Latecks]

I don't swear, unless I'm really trying to make a point. I don't just go running around yelling bad words all the time.

[sonicmega]

At 2/20/07 09:07 PM, LateckS wrote: I don't swear, unless I'm really trying to make a point. I don't just go running around yelling bad words all the time.

It just makes it sadder that there's at least one person who DOES do that, because they think it makes them cool.