What makes cuss words bad???

Question

I don't Cuss I am just curious, All they are is just different spelling and different sounds??? right

Answer 1

What makes ANY word "good" or "bad" ? It is all based on the agreed upon meaning of the word in the particular language. It is not making the sounds themselves that is at issue. It is that you chose to make sounds (that is, speak a word) that you KNOW are used to convey that particular meaning in the language you are speaking.

I'm sure you know this, or you would calmly, even joyfully, cuss out a small child or someone you love deeply.

In the same way, "Fire!" is just a set of sounds too -- but if you holler it, willy-nilly, in a crowded theater, it will have an effect for which you are morally, and probably legally, answerable.

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The point is that language is a SOCIAL activity -- to work, it depends on people's sharing an understanding of what the symbols will mean.

And so, it's not OK to simply use any word you choose any way you choose and claim "well *I* meant something ELSE by it".


My favorite illustration of this point comes from *Alice through the Looking Glass*:

""There's glory for you!"
"I don't know what you mean by 'glory,' " Alice said.
Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. "Of course you don't—till I tell you. I meant 'there's a nice knock-down argument for you!' "
"But 'glory' doesn't mean 'a nice knock-down argument,' " Alice objected.
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less."
"The question is, " said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty. "which is to be master—that's all.""
http://www.wordspy.com/words/HumptyDumptylanguage.asp

Answer 2

Right. Cuss words when you really break it down are just words; plain and simple. It is obviously the meaning behind the words that cause people to get so offended, but often times there is another word that means the same thing, but people won't be bothered by it. Take Shi or *** for example. There are plenty of other words that mean the same thing. Besides, cussing is fun.

Answer 3

Local authorities last summer reinforced a dormant law which outlaws the use of curse words during public addresses and performances. This was as a result of a ‘last straw’ on-stage clash of words between two rival DJs at the annual Reggae Sumfest festival, which spurred widespread bottle-throwing and a stampede resulting in a premature end to the concert.

Since reinforcing a ban on the popular “F” word among other expletives, many dancehall artistes who once thrived on the use of ‘bad words’ to add venom and energy to their performance have been crying foul.

The move to, under the Town and Community Act, ban expletives from being used by any performer on local soil sparked debate until last summer when several artistes were for the first time fined for the use of profanity on stage.

While the ban on ‘bad words’ is embraced by one sector of the society, which sees this as a step in the right direction to clean up a filthy dancehall, the others have sided with the guilty artistes.

Answer 4

When someone speaks cuss words it sounds hateful,nasty and has a serious wicked tone. I don't understand why people cuss and I'm not a pure angel myself. I believe men would be the worst. It's really unlady like for a woman. How beautiful are the gentle voices and words that comes from a ladies lips!

Answer 5

Cussing is bad because we are using foul words in the heat of anger to hurt and destroy. And I like that one answer about not taking the Lords name in vain. I cuss, but that is one cuss word I do refuse to use. That's a real no no.

You don't cuss. Good for you. It's really foul and it makes us females look bad. We sound like sailors!

Answer 6

Curse words are just different forms of a rude word. For various examples, F*** means to have sex, C*** means to drop your waste, C**t is a reference to a woman's "place", and D*** is a man's "place". These words tend to originate from other words. For example, a f*g is actually a name for a cigar or cigarette, a d*** is a persons name, etc.

All and all, people think using the lighter forms of these words aren't as bad, but the actual words are. This is a form of hypocrisy.

Answer 7

Society standards and the FCC.
For example, remember back in the days when "hell" and "damn" and "*****" were bad words? Well, now you'll hear them on regular TV. Society accepted those words. Of course, there are still words that are unaccepted by society for whatever belief.

Answer 8

The bible says to refrain from foul language, and depending on the word, you can definitely tell whether or not it's appropriate by the context it is being used in.

Answer 9

When a person cusses it shows lack of education...which usually starts at home...and ignorance

Answer 10

the definition of the word is what makes it what it is.

What makes sky mean the sky? the definition

The same aspects aply to "curse" words, the meanings are what make them bad. You don't say a "curse" word when you mean window.

It is a simple abstract concept.