"hell"I said it in front of a woman and she didn't know what to make of it.She had this look on her face like i needed to have my mouth rinsed out with soap or something.
2006-12-03 14:34:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yes, but not just "technically".
There seems to be some misunderstanding here about what a "swear word" is. Some people think it refers to a "dirty" word (one used to refer to some private bodily part or function in a 'coarse' manner). True, the expression is now used to cover that sort of thing, but also --and ORIGINALLY-- a "swear word" is a what you call a word associated with sacred things WHEN it is used lightly or disrisepectfully. Another word for this is 'profane' language, which refers to mistreating something that is considered holy.
One step further back -- these are called "SWEAR words" because such words related to sacred things are the sort used to swear an oath. Now swearing an oath is a perfectly acceptable activity, BUT it is not supposed to be done lightly. SO, if someone throws around oath language lightly they are said to be "swearing" (in a negative sense), and the words they speak are referred to as "swear words."
One other piece of swearing oaths -- often when someone swears a solemn oath they will include a CURSE, that is a declaration/wish for something horrible to happen to them.. in this case, if they BREAK their solemn oath.
So, the language of swearing an oath -- in a proper way-- would include, first of all, sacred names (esp. "God" and titles for God... in Christianity this would include things like "Jesus Christ") BY which the oath is sworn (e.g., "I swear to/by God" or "In God's name. .. ")
And then it would also include some words used to pronounce the curse, such as "hell" and "damn" [e.g. "my I be damned to hell if I break my word "]. And either sort of word used loosely, e.g., simply for strong emphasis, rather than carefully in an oath, can be called a "swear word".
In other words, "hell" when used in the way just describes (e.g., shouted all by itself ...esp in anger), is very much a "swear word".. and not just "technically" so.
(By the way, the reason that "dirty" language is now given the same label(s) is that it is also treating things disrespectfully -- as common or "profane" or "vulgar" [another word for "common"]-- which ought not to be.)
Another expression that pulls all these together is "strong language" (so called because it is important and is used to accomplish important things -- oaths, for instance, are considered to be serious things).
By the way, though different people may react differently, the word is STILL a 'swear word", still "strong language", however you personally happen to feel about it. In fact, the language wouldn't even be USED for emphasis if it weren't for the fact that i
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/curse
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/swear
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/profance
2006-12-04 14:56:13 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any consonant-crammed language has a tendency to have impressive, extreme-sounding swearwords. German is reliable, fantastically in case you could carry close the /ch/ in Bach sound, as is, especially, Portuguese, fantastically in case you do not attempt to modify your accent a lot. Russian has a huge form of swear words (with complicated guidelines for grammar and utilization) and all are impressive. If that doesn't artwork, make up your human being meaningless ones. Yagfracketing mogglebarks! to replace b****, I advise the be conscious "harridan." attempt it out in a sentence. "You valueless harridan!" It ability shrew-like, gruesome, and gossipy. yet truly, something can sound like a swear in case you assert it with feeling.
2016-11-30 02:49:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is somewhat a swear word. I think that it really has to do with the context in which you use it, like if you were meaning to swear than it is a swear word, but if you were talking about the place then it isn't really.
2006-12-03 14:46:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends who your talking to and in what context. Hell is considered "negative" because of its association with the devil and evil. So for those that don't believe in those things they will barely bat an eye, but most god fearing Christians will give you the stink eye for bringing up such awful things.
2006-12-03 14:40:57 · answer #4 · answered by snowboarder_girl33 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, but it will offend some people. My 10 year old got in trouble in school for calling some one a dumb ***. I dont believe that is a swear word either, and her teacher agrees, but because others may think so, I told her she has to choose when it is ok to use. (and by ***, we mean jackass)
btw, when I previewed this answer before hitting submit, Yahoo put the stars in, not me!!!!
2006-12-03 14:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by diques1018 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Older people would think it is, unless you are speaking of the Biblical location of punishment. For most people it is as common as hell.
2006-12-03 14:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's in the "ear" of the beholder.
It matters what context it was used in and to whom you talking to.
Best to save the strong words only when you need them.
;)
2006-12-03 14:46:57 · answer #7 · answered by Robert E 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically not. Hell is a location, so you could say "Fresno" or "Muncie"
2006-12-03 14:46:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
for older people, yes. but are you young? because if you are she likely was thinking that you are too young to say such stuff! :)
2006-12-03 14:44:49 · answer #9 · answered by wat_more_can_i_say? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no its a place where bad people end up
2006-12-03 23:31:19 · answer #10 · answered by John B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋