why are some words offensive?

Question

why do we find words offensive such as the F word what makes it more offensive than other four letter words it still contains the same characters of the same alphabet it is technically just a word its not illegal to say it yet frowned upon if you do!!! jus wonderin if there is any explanation i think its stupid myself!!!

Answer 1

You seem to begin with the assumption that a word is "JUST a set of sounds". But in practice you know this is not so. It is part of a system -- human language-- and IN that system (for the system to WORK) it must have a meaning.

Think about it: What makes ANY word "good" or "bad" ? It is all based on the agreed upon meaning of the word in the particular language--the very thing that makes language possible.

So it's not making the sounds themselves that is at issue, nor is it (usually) about what's in one particular person's head. It is that you CHOOSE to make sounds (that is, speak a word) that you KNOW are used to convey that particular meaning in the language you are speaking.

In other words, o if someone chooses to use a "bad word" BECAUSE they understand that this linguistic symbol has been agreed on as a way to express something offensive. (So it usually isn't correct to say "it is offensive because the listener chose to take offense". No, ordinarily, the SPEAKER chose the word --whether in a moment of anger or after some consideration, precisely with the intent of expressing something offensive.)

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, we don't simply pick an arbitrary word (or 'set of sounds') and claim "well *I* meant something ELSE by it". This would make communication utterly impossible!


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

It is found offensive because of the negative connotatoins associated with the word. Like you said, it is just like any other word, however within our society it is used in a negative and sometimes hurtful way. Think about other extremely offensive racial slurs or names......technically they are just words, however due to our society and history, those words have lost their orignial meaning, and adopted a more negative and offensive tone- therefore the word can not even be used for it's original meaning because it is so offensive (and rightfully so).

Another reason might be because It is frowned upon, and to some people who do not use the word, feel it is somewhat "common" or used due to the lack of other/better vocabulary (meaning the person using it can't find a better more "educated" way to express what they have to say other than saying f__).

Answer 3

The word is offensive because it is used as an offensive term. Just like the term "******" or "*****." This word was used in Britian to describe a bundle of sticks. Now if you hear the word ******, you don't think about a bundle of sticks because it is commonly used as a derogatory term. If you started calling people any common word in an offensive manner, they will take offense to it.

Answer 4

It's a stupid concept structurally but it serves a pretty important purpose. Language would lack some pretty important dimensions without them. When you're really angry, or you hear profanity used with literary license, it can be really powerful.

For Unlawful Common Knowledge was a military acronym meaning adulterous or otherwise illegal sex. Most others have origins that can also easily be traced.

Answer 5

Words are not in and of themselves offensive. The situation in which the words are spoken and the context of the society in which they are spoken may result in certain people being offended.

Answer 6

$h** is conseder a bad word because of its meaning it mean poop right.? So you don't go up to people and be like poop so that is just a naster word for it. People stopped saying it and the it became taboo. Hope this helps!

Answer 7

i guess its because if there were no bad words such as the F word than people wouldnt appreciate good words.

Answer 8

Cause people are f*ckbags and don't know how to respect our first ammendment! I get messages from people who read my answers on here, saying things like, "this is a public forum and children are on here, you need to watch your language." Well, guess what I reply to them with? ***** YOU! I am an American and I will use the hell ot of my rights!

Answer 9

because of there meaning

Answer 10

Fu*k off no offence