I just got a lecture from someone who didn’t like my use of “profane” language. I generally avoid it, and I’d go so far as to say I almost never use language that people would call profanity. I do, however, have a problem with people who take offense at the mere use of a word, regardless of its context or meaning. People who would be perfectly fine if I used a synonym of the word, but take offense at the use of the word itself.
There is no point in this sort of self-censorship. It is hypocritical to label certain words as taboo, but allow the actual meanings of the words to be discussed openly. People who think in this manner are simply giving in to an outdated and illogical cultural standard; they are refusing to adapt to the modern useage of the English language.
So, in reference to the title of this post: shit piss fuck cunt cocksucker motherfucker tits.
Fuck that bullshit.
But seriously, yes, I fully agree. The aggrandization and censorship of a given word is an indicator of cultural immaturity, directly akin to giggling at the word “penis”.
lol, you can say “making love,” but you can’t say “fuck.” No one cares about the meaning of the words anymore. It’s the words themselves that piss them off so much… And that’s why it’s so much fun to swear in front of all those “family values” fundies, and maybe tell a few dead baby jokes.
Profanity is often seen as a demonstration of stupidity and boorish behaviour. I believe it is simply an extreme expression of one’s feelings and thoughts. Profanity should be used to reinforce one’s view but is not always appropriate.
As an expression of shock it’s fine “Fuck…… was that a UFO”. As an expression of appreciation for a fine cup of tea it is not “Awesome fucking tea mutherfucker”.
As with most things, the context is important, I think the disagreements regarding profanity is actually a disagreement of its use in the context. After all one person’s Muthafucka is another’s father.