Very interesting read having traveled and lived as an expat, I find nuance and idioms very fascinating....

I also dislike the "N" work for blacks or African Americans, not really sure of the politically correct term. It is ugly and debasing. I do not care if black people think it is OK it is still wrong. I do not care if they do not understand how wrong it is to call each other by that name. It is still wrong.

I swear but I don't like it. When I get really angry I swear. I really hate that part of me. I find swearing no matter what is debasing to the person using the foul language. You can find and make all kinds of arguments to the contrary but at the end of the day is is vulgar. Using articulate, pointed words can do much more damage and have a longer lasting effect on the receiver. When I lived in France for a few years in my youth I played basketball with an all American player. Most of the other players were from other countries yet they all Koreans, Greeks, French etc swore in English! My friend would always very politely, the first time, explain that if they wanted to swear go ahead just do it in your own language.

"Ass" is the most complicated word in the English language.

It isn't the intention, it is the reception that causes the trouble. Words can never hurt me, unless I let them. I caught hell once for using the word "sissy" in an innocent, "don't be a woos" context.

Interesting but what about using swear words as a form of endearment? Calling someone something that would normally be inappropriate but because of the connection and trust you share with them it IS appropriate.

I'm not offended at any words. Intent is what matters. Cursing has no bearing on intelligence.

I thought the segment about Talking Dirty was interesting.. Some people consider this as intrinsic to the act of fooling around (see I haven't used the word fuck).
Others of a more prudish mind consider talking dirty as lude, rude and dirty..which is sort of what it is supposed to be...I may have gone off topic here..so I will close with someone I like to quote which may explain my pov better..

" Sex is only dirty..if you are doing it properly"
Woody Allen.

Very interesting read. The only words l really find offensive are racial slurs.

Good read. I proves that swearing in the emotional crutch of the fucking ignorant.

Great article, thanks for posting that.

It is a subject I have thought about a lot recently.

Well, I try to stand by Buddhist principles of right speech, where hurtful speech is not done, and so usually take some care to banish strong language. I have to admit, coming here from European and Buddhist forums has been a bit of a culture shock, there certainly is more swearing and language that I'd avoid as being potentially offensive.

Heard someone saying that the origin of swearing words in society has to do with a rejection of culture ideology . I know it works in Québec, we almost exclusively use religious words as swear words. In the US, it's mostly sexually oriented which explains the US's sociological prude approach to sex and sexuality.

[atlasobscura.com]

I lived in the early 90's in Spain. My family is in the hotel and Spanish is our language, First commercial I ever saw on Spanish TV was from a tv station.... it was naked woman buttock, pretty, nice, firm, natural grown buttock. Translation of the voice... "In Spain we called things by their name and this is a tremendous ass. And this is a tremendous television station." Made me fell good of how proud Spain was of the language. The greatest cussing demostration either in spanish or english I ever heard was a 9 year old kid to his 12 year old sister during the Good Friday Procession.