Profanity
Jan 7, 2016 17:58:15 #
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even by prayer." -- Mark Twain
I remember having a conversation many years ago with my Grandmother. She told me basically the same thing.
My Grandfather did not tolerate "Colored" language very well.
My Grandmother had a much better understanding of its place.
I remember having a conversation many years ago with my Grandmother. She told me basically the same thing.
My Grandfather did not tolerate "Colored" language very well.
My Grandmother had a much better understanding of its place.
Jan 7, 2016 18:28:10 #
Jan 7, 2016 18:29:28 #
I am not in favor of unbridled profanity such as we hear from a lot of people. Profane words are useful stress relievers (as Twain notes), but overuse makes them commonplace and meaningless.
When I resort to profanity, it means something.
When I resort to profanity, it means something.
Jan 7, 2016 18:42:27 #
My grandmother told us that people using profanity were to dumb to use better words. - Dave
Jan 7, 2016 19:07:18 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
My grandmother told us that people using profanity were to dumb to use better words. - Dave
I told my students the same. And that if they developed a big enough vocabulary they could insult someone and be out of range before they realized it.
Jan 7, 2016 19:09:13 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
My two cents, aka comments on some of what you wrote. My apologies for capitalizing a few select words to show the differences in my view from DirtFarmer. It is not done out of anger, etc.; rather, it's too damned tedious to use the brackets to under or boldface words when I wish to opine quickly.... Profane words are useful stress relievers (as Twain notes), but overuse makes them commonplace and meaningless. When I resort to profanity, it means something.
1. I almost agree with the 1st clause of the 1st sentence above, that profanity MAY be an effective stress reliever for SOME people, but that doesn't mean one can use it just anywhere out loud.
2. I agree completely with your 2nd clause regarding its overuse. With respect to the stereotypical portrayal by U.S. TV & Film regarding the overuse of profanity by some some teenage minority groups, unfortunately, I have witnessed such on many occasions when I lived in San Francisco.
3. Generally, I believe the same as you do of myself regarding when I've employed it. I learned a long time ago that the rest of the world does not respect it. Using profanity in front of strangers almost always has the effect of lowering one's standing.
Jan 7, 2016 22:55:06 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
My grandmother told us that people using profanity were to dumb to use better words. - Dave
To dumb? Maybe too dumb, but never to or two.
Jan 7, 2016 23:40:39 #
I still remember the day, over twenty years ago, when our older daughter came home from kindergarten and asked "What is a custom word?" Further discussion revealed that she had been talking to a friend on the bus about her fears that a certain relative was going to hell, and a busy-body on the next seat had told her that she shouldn't use language like that, only she misheard his rebuke as "custom word" because she was unfamiliar with the concept "cuss word". Today, as a working professional, she has way too much familiarity with cussing, but I am glad that we raised her in a pond of civility.
Jan 8, 2016 02:40:02 #
Earworms wrote:
To dumb? Maybe too dumb, but never to or two.
:thumbup:
Jan 8, 2016 05:59:19 #
Jan 8, 2016 06:01:08 #
Earworms wrote:
To dumb? Maybe too dumb, but never to or two.
Give Wilsond a break. After all, he could have made a simple typo error and not that which you have assumed.
Why don't we TWO agree TO not be TOO harsh on the guy ?
Jan 8, 2016 06:25:58 #
I have met people where TWO dumb might be appropriate.
Jan 8, 2016 06:27:18 #
rehess wrote:
I still remember the day, over twenty years ago, w... (show quote)
I think almost all of us resort to "custom words" at one time or another. I don't understand those who have to pepper every sentence with it.
Jan 8, 2016 06:58:35 #
Frank1
Loc: Shorewood, MN
Long, long time ago, in Army basic training, a drill instructor used an enormous amount of profanity laced with total indignation for humankind. I found his profanity disgusting and made note of it in writing, only to be ripped apart by a group of instructors later that day. Then, a short time later I was sitting in a day logger ambush in Viet Nam, using the same profanity learned in basic training...not proud, still use it on occasion, hard to break a bad habit. Words are sometimes just words.
Jan 8, 2016 07:03:01 #
I find 'Oh Fudge' and "Mother Duck and all her baby chickens!!" to be suitable substitutes most times. I save the profanity for true anger.... they probably hear that right before my fist makes contact with their chin :) :)
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