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Cirque du So-What

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22. As a society, we've overused our curse words to the point that they're practically meaningless

Thu Feb 20, 2014, 08:40 PM

Feb 2014

IMO swear words should be used sparingly in order that when one is tactically deployed (the f-bomb, for example), it has maximum effect. At least in my case, when I'm around someone whose every third word is 'fuck' or 'shit,' I very quickly tune out their prattle. After all, curses are meant to convey *STRONG* emotional responses. What, then, are we to make of the guy who asks you to 'pass the fucking sugar'? Like the world's most interesting man, I don't always swear, but when I do, I have a good fucking reason for it!

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When is it acceptable to use what some call vulgar language [View all] clydefrand Feb 2014 OP

Whoa. Are we not allowed to use obscenities on the interwebs? Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #1

Often at DU, the "bad" words are used. I don't have a problem with it quinnox Feb 2014 #2

In my mind there is a huge difference etherealtruth Feb 2014 #3

The N word is never acceptable. Ever. KentuckyWoman Feb 2014 #4

I think the OP included that word from hearing it in rap music. alp227 Feb 2014 #48

Yeah, it's fucking ridiculous. They ought to take that shit out of the movies or give us earplugs. jsr Feb 2014 #5

Beats the fuck outta me... zappaman Feb 2014 #6

There's no excuse to use the N, C, or Z words, EVER NightWatcher Feb 2014 #7

Z word? quinnox Feb 2014 #10

Good one, almost made me type it. NightWatcher Feb 2014 #15

Zippedy-doo-dah? Art_from_Ark Feb 2014 #17

zombie krawhitham Feb 2014 #24

Bingo! billh58 Feb 2014 #32

Zark! as in Zark off you kneebitter, you don't even know where your towel is. TheKentuckian Feb 2014 #41

..Zardoz. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #62

Heh. +1 n/t lumberjack_jeff Feb 2014 #83

Zzyzx! cherokeeprogressive Feb 2014 #63

This is going to bug me until I figure out what the z-word is... penultimate Feb 2014 #75

Zounds! An archaic oath from the 1590s meaning "By God's Wounds." FSogol Feb 2014 #101

Zorro? edbermac Feb 2014 #18

Zwieback etherealtruth Feb 2014 #26

I know hundreds of people who love it . pipoman Feb 2014 #78

zenzizenzizenzic penultimate Feb 2014 #76

I leave DU homepage and LBN up on my computer.... Uben Feb 2014 #8

What a god damned fucking stupid ass question! Dumbass! :-) Logical Feb 2014 #8

Alert, alert...he made a nasty! Uben Feb 2014 #11

Well fuckity fuck fuck. Vashta Nerada Feb 2014 #12

When you want; which is also the acceptable time to call someone on it Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #13

This is a site for adults and there will be vulgar language used here. Autumn Feb 2014 #14

What the fuck are you on about? Pretzel_Warrior Feb 2014 #16

We don't tolerate that fuggin shizz here struggle4progress Feb 2014 #19

Never. Plus sex is bad.. and so is nudity. Everyone needs to cover up, stop cussin', stop spittin', Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #20

Get off my lawn, you right-wing divisive infiltrator! LadyHawkAZ Feb 2014 #34

Yeah... Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #37

And *GET OFF MY LAWN, DAMN IT!!!* nt tblue37 Feb 2014 #80

Yep Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #82

Maybe a pastry will clam nerves. blkmusclmachine Feb 2014 #21

Oh, clam up! randome Feb 2014 #58

As a society, we've overused our curse words to the point that they're practically meaningless Cirque du So-What Feb 2014 #22

I agree with you. Jenoch Feb 2014 #31

I disagree Scootaloo Feb 2014 #81

You are correct they is no excuse for ignorance, They are only WORDS! krawhitham Feb 2014 #23

Words dictate how people percieve reality. nt ZombieHorde Feb 2014 #60

It's actually therapeutic! kentauros Feb 2014 #25

Thanks, that was fuckin' interesting. ~ nt antiquie Feb 2014 #38

Well shit! I didn't know we shouldn't use the fuck word. In_The_Wind Feb 2014 #27

Yes, this post deserves nothing but the "derp" response. HuckleB Feb 2014 #49

If a word offends someone you should not use it The Straight Story Feb 2014 #28

Good one! oldhippie Feb 2014 #30

When meeting soneone new, always ask for their list of banned words, so you don't offend them. RC Feb 2014 #54

... cherokeeprogressive Feb 2014 #64

I have watched this little piece of brilliance... 3catwoman3 Feb 2014 #70

Beat me to it. nt MrScorpio Feb 2014 #86

Good fucking luck with that! oldhippie Feb 2014 #29

Derp. HuckleB Feb 2014 #45

I ask myself that fucking question all the time Vinnie From Indy Feb 2014 #33

And.... Derp. HuckleB Feb 2014 #46

Right back at ya! Vinnie From Indy Feb 2014 #53

OK, then. HuckleB Feb 2014 #65

Many of "those" words are legitimate Golf terms! OffWithTheirHeads Feb 2014 #35

For fuck sake, they're just shitty fucking words, use them when the fuck you fucking feel like it. dorkzilla Feb 2014 #36

No, no; don't play the "just words" card. Or else you'll have to defend the "N" word, will you not? WinkyDink Feb 2014 #51

of course the n word is never okay, but im perplexed that it was lumped in with the others dorkzilla Feb 2014 #88

Then don't say that ANY words are "just words," simply because you are comfortable with vulgarisms. WinkyDink Feb 2014 #92

I'll say whatever the hell i want. dorkzilla Feb 2014 #94

Hence, not all words are just words? LanternWaste Feb 2014 #95

I'm not playing this stupid fucking game. dorkzilla Feb 2014 #98

Little League? JoePhilly Feb 2014 #39

In most Little Leagues, such terms lead to ejections. HuckleB Feb 2014 #44

... well fuck. JoePhilly Feb 2014 #47

Derpity. Derp. Derp. Derp. HuckleB Feb 2014 #50

Racial slurs and sexist slurs I do not tolerate proudretiredvet Feb 2014 #40

Likewise...and I include sexual orientation slurs. Lizzie Poppet Feb 2014 #42

LOL yep. proudretiredvet Feb 2014 #55

If you have to ask, well, then you're not ready to use such terms. HuckleB Feb 2014 #43

When dealing with shrink wrap, recalcitrant computers, or stubbed toes. Tierra_y_Libertad Feb 2014 #52

Add "when doing general household and automotive repairs", and I'm right there with ya. opiate69 Feb 2014 #59

Just pretend you're edited for TV Revanchist Feb 2014 #56

They're acceptable words because they're words. randome Feb 2014 #57

well, CUSS YOU! kwassa Feb 2014 #61

The f word is safe...for now. Old and In the Way Feb 2014 #66

Damn! You actually know fuckers who use the N word? riderinthestorm Feb 2014 #67

Go and boil your bottom, you son of a silly person! edbermac Feb 2014 #68

I'm going to limit pipi_k Feb 2014 #69

As I posted earlier, the are times and places Jenoch Feb 2014 #71

To the OPer. If you find yourself using the word "should" vanlassie Feb 2014 #72

Oh look! Le Taz Hot Feb 2014 #73

Why the Fu*ck word offends anyone is beyond me... penultimate Feb 2014 #74

Know your audience. Iggo Feb 2014 #77

+1 nomorenomore08 Feb 2014 #90

This message was self-deleted by its author HangOnKids Feb 2014 #79

When last I checked the internet wasn't my grandmother's living room. LeftyMom Feb 2014 #84

Vulgar you say ? SamKnause Feb 2014 #85

Fucking A! nt MrScorpio Feb 2014 #87

I have no problem with the use of vulgarity, but when it is aimed at someone I think it is abusive davidpdx Feb 2014 #89

due with education? CBGLuthier Feb 2014 #91

When the "Murder, She Wrote" marathon gets preempted by sports. opiate69 Feb 2014 #93

fuck conflating the N word with garden variety fuck/shit/asshole, etc cali Feb 2014 #96

THANK YOU nt dorkzilla Feb 2014 #99

you're more than fucking welcome! cali Feb 2014 #100

You fuckin' rock cali! dorkzilla Feb 2014 #103

Do you have to use so many cuss words? deutsey Feb 2014 #97

thursdays. unblock Feb 2014 #102

Or Tuesdays dipsydoodle Feb 2014 #104