really people! No it isn't!
2006-12-20 12:34:38 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
a cuss word that offends people usually.
2006-12-20 12:36:40 · answer #1 · answered by SpongeBobCoolDude 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Heck, I don't know. How do you come up with these darn questions?
To swear means to make an oath using the Lord as witness. Thus, the words normally associated with such solemn declarations are called "swear words". So, in its original sense, to swear is not a bad thing.
I guess at one time, a popular formulation may have been along the lines of : May I go to hell if I lie, thus making "hell" a swear word.
Later, to swear was given the sense of "taking the Lord's name in vain", this being perceived as forbidden by the Bible. This is when one uses the Lord's name (or any other swear word) for a purpose other than to make an appeal to God.
So, if you say "I'll be damned if I lie" when making a formal declaration, that fits the description of making an oath (the wording is not "in vain"). But if you go around yelling "I'll be damned", some people are afraid that you may get your wish... ;-) and they don't want to be too close to you when it happens.
As to who decides what words are "swear words", it changes from culture to culture. In French, for example, "enfer" (hell) is rarely considered a swear word.
Blasphemy is something else: words uttered impiously against God. To blaspheme is to talk against God or against the sacred, whatever the words you use to do it (i.e., the sin is based on the meaning of what you say, not on the words you use to say it).
There are places (some in USA, maybe) where some words are defined as "swear words" or blasphemous by law. You are not allowed to use them in public (regardless of your personnal convictions)
2006-12-20 22:36:31 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't understand why people classify swear words as swear words... cos if u swear at someone in enlglish and the person doesn't know a word of english... they won't really care. words are made by people and people have just classified some words to be offensive... words are just air being breathed out like cats saying "meow" and dogs saying "woof".
2006-12-20 20:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by Bhavesh.Chauhan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the hell it isnt... (john wayne)
depending on your religious constrictions, anything which mentions him downstairs is considered blasphemous...jesus forking christ almighty... thast frowned upon as well...
we cant win. anyway, hell doesnt really exist, its what the catholics invented as a method of control... well how else do you persuade a morally corrupt population to toe the party line?
heaven and hell are only constructs in the minds of men who would seek to control others, and subjugate tehm to their will, and do their bidding. two things cause war, religious ideology, and teh desire of arms manufacturers to get incredibly rich.
only two things leave teh battlefield, the dead, and the dead rich. and while were here, can anyone explian why the church of england owns stock in BAE... who own the likes of Glock... and make heavy artillery, land mines and anti personell bombs...
i have two words..ferkin hypocrites... child abusing paedophile protecting hypocrites... and if theres any justice from on high, when they get there the big pearly gates will be slammed in the pious righteous faces..GOD KNOWS...
2006-12-20 20:56:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Hell" is a place. I guess many people think it is vulgar language because their religions say Hell is a bad place. Personally, I don't know what the hell they are thinking. ;)
2006-12-20 20:46:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since this is astronomy your question should have been is hell a place and if so where is it in the universe - and it STILL wouldnt have deserved a sensible response.
2006-12-21 14:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't tell u what we learned if i don't say hell
well, i guess that's all right then.
hell hell hell hell hell hell
hell no
(Bart Simpson)
one of those LOL moments from that lovable dude!
2006-12-20 20:41:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gehenna,(Hebrew)the rubbish tip,were the fire never went out(in those days).
Jesus used it as a metaphor.To burn forever in(at) ghenna.
P.S probably spelt it wrong.
Look up Bible(the four Gosples)for proper spelling.
2006-12-23 22:20:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree, hell is not a swear word! maybe you should try **** or **** next time!
2006-12-20 20:40:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why is bloody a swear word?
2006-12-20 21:12:41 · answer #10 · answered by BERNON W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It refers to the place of damnation
2006-12-20 20:37:52 · answer #11 · answered by colin050659 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋