What IS cussing?

[Destructus86]

What IS cussing? Words themselves are abstract. They are sounds we make until they are given meaning by the culture. Those words and meanings change from culture to culture, era to era. A word like “scumbag” used to be just as bad, maybe even worse than the F-bomb and is now socially acceptable. And I suppose that’s the thing…we associate some words as “Bad” because society has deemed it so. What happens then when the F-bomb is no longer a social taboo word? Is it still a cuss word? Or does it simply because as acceptable as “darn”?

Some associate these words as sounding ignorant when used in sentences but that is simply a perception based on the society we live in. That perception would change as society changes it’s ideas on words. Perhaps it isn’t the word itself but the meaning, which as I said before is given based on societies opinion.

I would argue that there are no cuss words. Only language.

 

[Morg]

why are you YELLING?

 

[Destructus86]

why are you YELLING?

What do you mean? Hmm...I looked and the text seems to be the same size as yours. Let me know.

 

[Greens]

If you really think about the F-word, there is no reason it should be taboo. I presume the sexual connotation doesn't mesh with American culture where gruesome violence is preferable to sex in popular media.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

its not really about the actual words, so much as the context in how the words are used

"cussing" is any words said out of anger or spite... rather you're using words that are considered swears or just nonsensically gibberish

the term "cussing" actually come from old superstitions of really being cursed (just saying "I curse you" was a big deal back then)

my views on using swears (whatever you or you're culture believes those words to be) using those words (even if they have no offensive meaning) if those words are socially considered wrong to use (for whatever reason, rather it makes sense to you or not) by continuing to use those words can be disrespectful to those around you and shows a lack of social/cultural awareness, or that you just don't care

that being said, I am hardly innocent of swearing, but I know to use my words wisely in public, or in a professionally environment (like at work)

I usually limit my use to when only around friends and/or in private

I also prefer to limit my uses of such words, so that when I do say them, it has more meaning

I wouldn't say I get offend when I hear people swear around me or in public in general. but, I do find it kinda low class to use them in everyday conversations... or if its like ever other word out of they mouth


so, I can understand people being bothered by them to a degree

 

[Warhammer]

Cussing/cursing = a bunch of words that society has deemed bad

Logically, if somebody called me a motherfarker instead of a motherf***er, am I supposed to be less angry? Even though they have the same exact intent and say both things to be in malice, there is a supposed difference? They try to drill that into your head when you are a child but when you get older, that's when you begin to question things. Then you lump in the people that wake up every morning ready to be offended and boom, we have the phenomenon known as cussing or cursing.

I dare anyone to counter that logic.

 

[Morg]

What do you mean? Hmm...I looked and the text seems to be the same size as yours. Let me know.

It is now, was in big letters that usually means yelling.

 

[jokesonm3]

does anyone know the official SHH rules and regulations of swearing on posts? so far i refrain from using any form of rude word whatsoever in the hopes of my stay in SHH is both long and fruitful!

 

[Dr.]

What IS cussing?

If you search Youtube for “Steven Pinker” + “swearing,” you’ll come across an interesting video (about 20min, in 2 parts) that tackles this very question. It’s a scholarly - but very interesting - presentation. Pinker (a Harvard professor of psychology and linguistics) freely uses the words he talks about; hence, I provide no direct link.

 

[Warhammer]

does anyone know the official SHH rules and regulations of swearing on posts? so far i refrain from using any form of rude word whatsoever in the hopes of my stay in SHH is both long and fruitful!

Basically, you the forum will automatically sensor words. So if you want to make it a point to curse, just put the first letter and censor it yourself. Like f*** or s***. Also, no bypassing the sensor by adding a "y" in s***.

 

[jokesonm3]

Basically, you the forum will automatically sensor words. So if you want to make it a point to curse, just put the first letter and censor it yourself. Like f*** or s***. Also, no bypassing the sensor by adding a "y" in s***.

Ah, that makes a whole lot of sense, cheers mate!

 

[Greens]

its not really about the actual words, so much as the context in how the words are used

Society doesn't look at it that way, though.

The F-word is always frowned upon, no matter the context. If I use the F-word to describe a chair, why should that be considered wrong? If I use the F-word to insult someone, then I can understand why they're pissed.

In discussions about the N-word, nobody is allowed to use the word even if it's just a declarative statement like: Person X used the word .....

It's a weird rule. George Carlin did a bit about this, too. It's all about context, but that's not how society views these things.

 

[Destructus86]

Cussing/cursing = a bunch of words that society has deemed bad

Logically, if somebody called me a motherfarker instead of a motherf***er, am I supposed to be less angry? Even though they have the same exact intent and say both things to be in malice, there is a supposed difference? They try to drill that into your head when you are a child but when you get older, that's when you begin to question things. Then you lump in the people that wake up every morning ready to be offended and boom, we have the phenomenon known as cussing or cursing.

I dare anyone to counter that logic.

I agree with you.

If I say you are a fool then it's exactly the same intent as saying your a motherf*****. The meaning is the same...the only difference is I'm using one word socially found acceptable. But why determine our words based on the culture? Culture is always changing...it seems silly to say we shouldn't use certain words and completely ignore the context.

Just makes no sense.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

Society doesn't look at it that way, though.

The F-word is always frowned upon, no matter the context. If I use the F-word to describe a chair, why should that be considered wrong? If I use the F-word to insult someone, then I can understand why they're pissed.

In discussions about the N-word, nobody is allowed to use the word even if it's just a declarative statement like: Person X used the word .....

It's a weird rule. George Carlin did a bit about this, too. It's all about context, but that's not how society views these things.

some words themselves are viewed as inappropriate therefore the context doesn't matter, rather you're talking about a person or a chair

 

[Assassin32]

You're absolutely right, and this is why censorship is a mother****ing joke.

 

[SoaringSupes]

Back in Third/Fourth grade CRAP was considered a bad word, so yeah the mindset on what's a bad word is always changing. There are words that are considered bad, and disrespectful words/names. We all say ¨bad¨ words. I think the disrespectful words towards a certain race or gender are worse then swear words.

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

Are you cussing with me?

 

[Destructus86]

some words themselves are viewed as inappropriate therefore the context doesn't matter, rather you're talking about a person or a chair

This is true...which makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Erzengel]

I don't know how you can be intimate with someone without cursing?

 

[Duke]

I don't know how you can be intimate with someone without cursing?

Erz, "if I told you once, I´ll tell you 1000 times, stop watching Samuel L. Jackson movies".

 

[Erzengel]

I'm from New Jersey. It's part of my vocab*******ary.

 

[jokesonm3]

I'm from New Jersey. It's part of my vocab*******ary.

South Park: "It's a jersey thing"

 

[Pink Ranger]

I don't know how you can be intimate with someone without cursing?

As in, "****, I just woke up next to Erzengel."

 

[Duke]

As in, "****, I just woke up next to Erzengel."

Is that a nightmare or life long dream?

 

[Erzengel]

As in, "****, I just woke up next to Erzengel."

Still counts.