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How do you feel about obscene language??

There is a new series out with Ted Dansen called “The Good Place”. It is about an imaginary place (sort of a funny heaven) where people’s obscene language is not allowed. Kind of like one selection we can make on this site.

When I first started my military service I noticed swearing was rampant (despite what you hear in the media the F word was seldom used; this is a recent phenomenon) and I succumbed for a while. I later thought why should I let others control what I say so I stopped. I hear/see it more and more often and feel it undermines a language (it seems to be a world-wide phenomenon).

The way I see it this practice has little social value aside from blowing off steam. To me there is basically 2 types of foul language: swearing and dirty. The dirty often has sexual connotations and, again to me, its use can have a proper time and place (the place thing can open up a range of possibilities)?! I think its excessive and misplaced use can undermine its pleasurable, prurient value.

Silvereyes – I was in a military hospital @Ft. Sill, Lawton, Ok. When I got out of the hospital I went to Europe. Several years later I met a woman and we dated and got close. One day she announced she was returning to the US to go to school. Her dad had been in the military and, with the military there is what is known as a home of record. I went on vacation and visited her and decided I would also go to school, which I did. Out of all the places in the US guess where her home of record was and guess where she went?? My daughter was born in the same *&%#^ hospital (Reynolds Army Hospital) where, 5 years previously, I had spent 9 months. We lived there about 2 years before returning to Germany. I understand your feelings.

JackPedigo 9 Nov 26
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Growing up in a religious household, swearing was not allowed. As an adult, I still rarely swore but now that I'm older, I like to swear! I don't know why?? LOL. I try to be respectful to others, but if I think the company I'm keeping won't be offended, I don't hold back.

Somewhat related:
[sciencealert.com]

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I love that show. It's very funny with a lot fo unexpected twists Can't wait until season 2.

As for foul language. I seldom use it. When i do it is to make a point or just used for emphasis. If a person uses foul language every sentence, then it loses all meaning... and it also hampers good communication.

agree. It is the overuse that is so irksome.

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I think language without curse words is like cooking without spice. The right amount,well placed,gives your conversation flavor. I will agree it's easy to over do sometimes though.

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There a time and place for everything and sometimes nothing else make an impression. We know pretty much if people don’t swear and I don’t swear around them. On the other hand I hate people that continually make a federal case out of a book or a movie that has a f*** in it. Don’t go to the movie or don’t read the book. My wife is a librarian and there are quite a few folks that come to her demanding that books be removed from the shelves because of language or content. After being raised very religiously and then leaving being able to use a few appropriate swear word was a hell of a lot of fun and a load off my shoulders.

gearl Level 8 Nov 27, 2017

The big problem is one often doesn't know beforehand. I have seen videos (I just saw one titled "Obit" and it was one of the most interesting documentaries I have seen in a long time. I was surprised at a film clip where president Kennedy said F***. The word was used a couple of times in the film) It was a bit annoying but did not detract from this great video. Same with books, one doesn't know beforehand. To me this is often unnecessary and is cheapening our language.

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Southern ladies,just say.. How nice for you .

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I'm kind of stuck on, Whoa!, Geeze!, Damnit gets me in trouble with my wife.

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Swearing is not a problem in my opinion, it's all about context. If I'm playing a competitive game with a friend and they get an easy kill or something like that and I say in jest "You can go eff yourself." or something similar no one is offended, we laugh and continue to enjoy each others company. Then there's people like my step grandmother who despises cursing in all forms but has no problem making sideways comments, in public, about things like other ethnicities, interracial couples, or unconventional couples. I can't visit my parents without having to hear her comment about Jim Parsons every night when my father watches Big Bang Theory. But if I stub my toe in her presence and curse at the ether she acts like it's the end of the world.

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Words don't possess any particular power themselves. We assign their significance. Personally, I am not offended by swearing. However, others might be. To be free with swearing risks some judgement and possible consequences from others.

That said, such language has its place. Certain words can lose their punch when over used (will we need a new F-bomb soon?). I prefer to conserve them for certain inevitable future opportunities.

Also, I find a lack of creativity, and possibly even intelligence, in the overly frequent use of swearing.

Zster Level 8 Nov 26, 2017
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I use ‘foul language’ very often. It’s not foul to me, it’s descriptive. It offends me when people tell me not to speak a certain way. People who purposefully use big words to intimidate, are more offensive in my book. I understand them, but the average person does not.

So it seems languages are and have always been polarized. One side uses common, low brow speech and the other side uses big, high-brow, uncommon words. I prefer to be in the middle with obscene words in their place (as I suggested in my question) and not too big words but those that are more descriptive when I feel they are needed.

I addressed this very topic in one of my earlier questions ( How do you feel about obscene language ). I have a different take on some words with sexual connotations.

I feel language can be infectious and we can go in either direction. I try to be conscious of what I say and use 'expletives' when I feel it can serve a purpose.

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I have used up my quota of foul language, maybe even gone over, at the fact that Season One of the Good Place isn't available as free on demand or even on Hulu+ or anything. We caught the first 2 or 3 episodes of S1 when it was still on demand and then it went away. Foul language made me feel better.

On the other hand, as a bicycle commuter, I'm frequently hooked or cut-across by cars; even when there is a "Left Turn Yield to Bicycles" sign. I generally attempt driver education in these cases; in the past, cussing up a storm. Being in Manhattan, the bikes are faster than the cars and I can generally catch up to the offender if I want to expend the time. I found that that didn't do much, so I switched to "Sir (or Madam), are you aware that Section 4, paragraph 12, item 🎁 requires you to... whatever it is the driver didn't do. Works better than cursing.

Funny, here on the other side of the country it's just started on Netflix.

@JackPedigo hey, thanks! Who says the internet is a waste of time?

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Gratuitous obscenity bothers. One can accomplish the same thing with a good "damn" or "hell".

Or lots of #**%+&$ uppercase symbols

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