Is the word "damn" offensive to Americans? On a question earlier today there were some 20 answers, yet my rather brief but mostly none committal answer which included the word "damn" was the only one that got the thumbs down?? Why??
2007-01-28 18:25:38 · 11 answers · asked by sonny 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
It is more offensive to some Americans than others, but it *is* still considered a swear word--especially with the word "God" in front of it--which is why some people use the gentler "darn" instead.
That said? I checked the answer you got thumbs-downed on, and that's one of the least offensive ways to use the word, so who knows what was up? Two thumbs down isn't that bad. You got worse for liking Bush :-)
2007-01-28 18:29:00 · answer #1 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It may not have been an American who gave you the thumbs-down. I can think of a few words from other cultures that seriously offend decent Americans, but damn is not considered that offensive to most.
2007-01-29 03:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you are old-fashioned enough, "damn" is offensive. I don't use it myself, but that's partly because I am old enough that lots of things which are in common use now would have been enough to get you smacked when I was a kid.
The reason "damn" is offensive goes to the fact that it is blasphemy. A Christian is not supposed to want anyone, no matter how nasty, be damned for real. So they developed the term "darn" to mean "if I wasn't a Christian, I'd damn you!"
Now that I'm no longer a Christian, I realize the potential of the word, and reserve it for when I mean it.
You do not want to hear a witch use that word, my dear, no you do not.
2007-01-29 02:31:49 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just an example of American ignorance - you'd be surprised, most of us don't know what 'shag' means... LOL!!!
Some idiots get offended by ridiculous things - had a dear co-worker who freaked out about the number 666...
Damn and damnation - some people just don't get the whole free speech thing.
I apologize.
Oh and as a mark on the retardation of our censors - been watching comedy central - and the censors bleeped little stuff, but let slip repeatedly an extremely offensive Spanish term for women...
-dh
2007-01-29 02:37:29 · answer #4 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It might have been the context in which you used it. Since I don't know the question or answer, then I can't help you further.
Edit: I check your answers. It was the manner in which you answered the question, not because the word was found offensive. Your answer has two thumbs down.
2007-01-29 02:29:12 · answer #5 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The word is considered offensive to many people. In some ways I think that it is because there are so many people over there who keep telling others that they are damned for not going to the same church as them.
2007-01-29 02:37:38 · answer #6 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would have to say that Damn, is not very high on the offensive list ! It would probably be considered very mild profanity !
2007-01-29 02:30:23 · answer #7 · answered by g_man 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Damn" is a swear word but, considering all the much more vile words that are in common usage, it is really very mild.
2007-01-29 02:29:41 · answer #8 · answered by Ellen J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are people like that on answers. Be happy you didn't get a quote to go with it.
2007-01-29 02:30:42 · answer #9 · answered by Eva 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the reference to context.
2007-01-29 02:29:33 · answer #10 · answered by Sam 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋