How moral are swear words?

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

By that definition then...the F word could be used in a postive way. IE "I [censored] love that person!"

Absolutely not! That word is clearly rotten, putrefied, and corrupt in the context of what it means vs. the function it describes!

IThe word might be considered crude to some, but not others.

The words are universally considered crude and inappropriate, whether a particular user thinks of them as such or not. Try using that word in a four-star restaurant and see what reaction you get. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus with insight into how most of them -- and likely, most of Ephesus -- felt about the language which he was addressing.

And by the way, the first reference to that word was sufficient. We consider even veiled uses of the word to be rotten, putrefied and corrupt. Inappropriate, in other words.

 

[farouk]

By that definition then...the F word could be used in a postive way. IE "I f**king love that person!"
The word might be considered crude to some, but not others. So, who is right? Is it up to each person individually to decide then?

Confused...

 

[Classik]

Truth is, there are cultures who may not know the origin of the words - but use them.

 

[farouk]

Truth is, there are cultures who may not know the origin of the words - but use them.

C: I think the negative references apply to the particular language and culture in question.

If someone's grandmother says something inoffensive, she doesn't need some etymologist to do a lengthy exposé of why, in the light of something hundreds of years ago, she was supposedly wrong.

 

[Knotical]

As we in America know, a word does not necessarily have to be designated as a "swear" or "cuss" word to be used as such. There are plenty of words in our dictionary that we apply numerous unintended meanings to.

 

[Classik]

As we in America know, a word does not necessarily have to be designated as a "swear" or "cuss" word to be used as such. There are plenty of words in our dictionary that we apply numerous unintended meanings to.

True :nod

 

[farouk]

Think of the example given by linguist Noam Chomsky, for example:

"He called her a Republican and she insulted him."

Unfair, but this is how academics and media people so often talk: they take hold of terms that are not necessarily inherently bad and trash them.

 

[Classik]

Yep!

 

[evenifigoalone]

Without the culture factor in mind, I tend to think that it's more how the word is used than anything. But, like I said, the Bible does say to avoid the appearance of evil. Even if something isn't wrong, if it's perceived to be wrong and you do it, you're giving the appearance of evil.

In some cultures, swear words are considered just words. Japan, for example. (Or so I'm told.)


I tend to "pseudo swear". I'll say things like "dang", "crap", "freaking", etc.
Although I will admit that I've developed a habit of swearing when I'm by myself with no one around to hear me...

 

[evenifigoalone]

Think of the example given by linguist Noam Chomsky, for example:

"He called her a Republican and she insulted him."

Unfair, but this is how academics and media people so often talk: they take hold of terms that are not necessarily inherently bad and trash them.

The word "stupid" can be used in that way, too. I've heard kids use it like a swear word.

 

[farouk]

Without the culture factor in mind, I tend to think that it's more how the word is used than anything. But, like I said, the Bible does say to avoid the appearance of evil. Even if something isn't wrong, if it's perceived to be wrong and you do it, you're giving the appearance of evil.

In some cultures, swear words are considered just words. Japan, for example. (Or so I'm told.)



I tend to "pseudo swear". I'll say things like "dang", "crap", "freaking", etc.
Although I will admit that I've developed a habit of swearing when I'm by myself with no one around to hear me...

questdriven:

So you kind of use 'dang' and 'freaking' as proxies for the real words, you mean?

(Except when no one is listening you prefer to use the real words...)

 

[evenifigoalone]

questdriven:

So you kind of use 'dang' and 'freaking' as proxies for the real words, you mean?

(Except when no one is listening you prefer to use the real words...)

Yeah.

(Er...sorta. I'm not proud of it, and I don't condone it, but it's a hard habit to let go of...)

 

[Classik]

Swear words are like firstnames. At times you answer a name whose meaning and origin you don't know...and it sounds okay and formal to you who bear it

 

[evenifigoalone]

What if someone were to say, "what the flip?" Basically, swearing without actually swearing? What are your opinions on that?
Personally I'm not against that. I'm just curious what people think.

I do wonder, though, if that's okay, why would it be any better than using the actual word? Aside from the command to avoid the appearance of evil, is there any reason that one word should be any worse than another?
I'm not trying to argue or anything, as I myself do not condone swearing; just a question.

 

[farouk]

What if someone were to say, "what the flip?" Basically, swearing without actually swearing? What are your opinions on that?
Personally I'm not against that. I'm just curious what people think.

I do wonder, though, if that's okay, why would it be any better than using the actual word? Aside from the command to avoid the appearance of evil, is there any reason that one word should be any worse than another?
I'm not trying to argue or anything, as I myself do not condone swearing; just a question.

questdriven:

I don't think there would be many people for whom 'flip' would be coarse or obscene. I strongly doubt it. (Maybe Rachel, who commendably seems to have a highly developed sense of propriety, could comment, too?)

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I know at least one person who considers it too close to swearing. But yeah, probably most people wouldn't care.

I'm interesting in hearing anyone's thoughts. Discussion is a good way to learn.

 

[farouk]

I know at least one person who considers it too close to swearing. But yeah, probably most people wouldn't care.

I'm interesting in hearing anyone's thoughts. Discussion is a good way to learn.

questdriven:

You mean, s/he thinks it's inherently obscene? or that it merely represents some other unspoken word that someone might think was obscene?

Scripture says about not making offenders for a word (Isaiah 29.21).

 

[RachelKeeth]

questdriven:

I don't think there would be many people for whom 'flip' would be coarse or obscene. I strongly doubt it. (Maybe Rachel, who commendably seems to have a highly developed sense of propriety, could comment, too?)

Blessings.

Thank you, Farouk. I would not see it on the same level as swearing, but I would caution against using any word in that way. I don't see the need for "swearing" even if it is not a swear word. Why use any words in that way?

 

[evenifigoalone]

questdriven:

You mean, s/he thinks it's inherently obscene? or that it merely represents some other unspoken word that someone might think was obscene?

Scripture says about not making offenders for a word (Isaiah 29.21).

I don't think they think that the word itself is obscene, just the way that it's being used like a swear word. They're also not sure about other replacement words (like "darn"), though they're not necessarily against them.

If I were to reveal that this person is one of my parents, would the same principle apply? I do try to respect her and that as long as I'm in her house, I'm supposed to abide by her rules.

 

[farouk]

Thank you, Farouk. I would not see it on the same level as swearing, but I would caution against using any word in that way. I don't see the need for "swearing" even if it is not a swear word. Why use any words in that way?

YW, Rachel & thanks for your comment.

I guess my instinct would be to be careful, but in the light of verses such as Isaiah 29.11 not to imagine things that really aren't there, either.

Another thing; questdriven and I like some of the same Christian hard rock / heavy metal music, and it's not unusual for lyrics to reflect vigorous thoughts and feelings. I would definitely agree that some rock music has very unsuitable lyrics, but on the other hand sometimes an exclaimed expression, often in a throaty, deeply breathed voice, is all part of the hard rock aesthetic, if you see what I mean.

Thanks for responding with your thoughts. Blessings.