If swearing is grammatically correct, how can it be bad language?

Question

As opposed to good language spelt incorrectly?

It is here in South Wales where i'm from soobee lol.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=76424&dict=CALD

Answer 1

Good point, next time I swear in front of my boss and he gives me "that" look, I'll use your agument to him...maybe it wont work, but i'll use it anyway! lol...;

Answer 2

Being grammatically correct doesn't make it good or proper language. Only in fairly recent times have swear words been allowed into dictionaries as a sign of modern times. Before then it wouldn't have been grammatically correct because it wasn't in the dictionary.

Anyway, swearing is technically a vulgarity and so isn't really grammatically correct.

P.S. Spelt is the Past Tense and Past Participle of the verb To Spell.

Answer 3

Amen, and thank you. I'm 35, so maybe I'm just an old fart and don't know it yet, but I've always believed in using proper grammar and spelling. Unfortunately, the younger folks are going to have to make a decision sooner than later- either learn to read and write like an adult, or become well versed in learning to say things like "cream and sugar, sir?" when they're at work. It doesn't help when the biggest enablers to this dumbing down are their own tribute to being self-absorbed (their parents). Let's not correct the little buggers; after all, they're learning exciting ways to spell! They're being creative! I love technology (I'd be completely lost without my Blackberry), and yet, whether I'm answering a question in this forum or sending a short reply to an email, I try to answer in complete sentences. As you noted, it's not being a snob or elitist to write in complete sentences with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make the Calder Trophy winners play a best-of-three series with the NHL team with the lowest number of points; winner goes to the NHL, loser goes to the AHL.

Answer 4

It may not be bad to spell but it is offensive for it is meant to be cruel to others. Some words were once meant to be an honorable word and then they became tainted to be an insult to others.Such as the word. I can't say it here so I'll use C U Next Tuesday, used to be a name of a goddess. Men who wanted to oppress women used it as a curse against us.

Answer 5

It's a good point, but I think the term 'bad language' refers to the offencive meaning of the word rather than it being grammatically incorrect. Perhaps however, the term should be 'offencive language' rather than 'bad language' as it is more accurate.

Answer 6

Spelt, is correct. Everyone uses this phrase, in the newest English dictionary it is there, but has two meanings, one as in,
'Is this spelt correctly'. Yeh, I know, quite facinating.

I believe it to be an English thing.. But he sounds American.

Answer 7

Any type of language can be grammatically correct; bad language refers to the fact that it is vulgar slang and not considered "good" to use in the context of being "proper".

Answer 8

I assume you're refering to things such as the line in Lady Macbeth: "Out, out damn spot....". Writers can get by with many things that the general population that aren't of that professional sector can't. That's the way it is. BTW: I'm not being a smart a**, but the correct word in your explanation is "spelled". I thought you might want to know.

Answer 9

it isn't bad language, but bad words
is 'spelt' a word? which English dialect do you speak; I am not meaning to be insulting here, I am facinated by language and I love English; I have never seen this variation of 'spelled' before and I was wondering if in your neck of the woods this is the common form?

Answer 10

It's the way the word is used, nothing to do with the way it is spelt? Either way, spelt or spoken, if said the wrong way it's abusive. xx

Answer 11

It's not brother. What you're experiencing is what us enlightened people call "projecting ones morality on others". You have the right to freedom of speech!!!! Keep using it!!!!