Why do people get offended by the F word?

Question

Why does anyone get offended by the F word? It's just a word to express anger.

For those goofs who think it mean File Under Karnal Nowledge go away. The origins of the word are UNCLEAR and have never been found definately. Barely any record of the word being used.

I think if you are offended by the word it makes me feel good. My intentions are to offend when I say it. I think today, the meaning of the F word is simply to offend, or to express anger. As soon as it becomes as easy to say as "ginger snaps" people will find another word. I know the word "****" is very offensive, probably more than f. So my guess is **** is next on the list... that is... Karnal Under Notty Titilations...

Answer 1

It is a crudity and reflects on the limited vocabulary and capacity of the speaker. It is meant to be offensive because the speaker feels that he (or she) has so little else that he might impress people with.

Answer 2

Most of these answers are ridicules. Use of a word has no correlation to the users mental capacity, I know many quiet astute people who use the word and they all use it for the same reason anyone does; it just feels good to say. There is no other, single, word in the entire English language the feels exactly as it sounds so much as the word **** does. Its linguistic versatility is completely unmatched by any other word because it can be used for literally any part of speech. The "f word" is only as bad as people make it, its only a "swear word" because many people agree it is, it is not "vulgar" when being used as a noun or a describing word as it has nothing to do with fornication under those contexts (however i would agree with those opposed to the word that its tasteless and wasted when used to describe sex.) People who are offended by the word **** under most all contexts are sheep who just agree with what the masses think and are incapable of forming their own opinion. I personally admire the word as there isn't another that can deliver so much emotional impact with just a single utterance.

Answer 3

Because it is a vulgar word, and because of what it means. When people use such a word, it makes them sound so ignorant and trashy. It seems like nobody can express their feelings without using the F-word, especially as an adjective or adverb. You might as well say "that was having sex awesome", or "I have no having sex idea." That makes you sound pretty stupid too. When people use the F-word, it shows me they have a major lack of vocabulary.

Also, those of you who say "it's just a word", imagine being blown away by a tornado, along with your now-demolished house. That being said, saying "words are just words" is like calling a tornado "just a little wind." Like tornadoes, words CAN hurt more than you think! If they were just words, why would we feel a certain way when we are told certain things? Why would everything, for that matter, be so PC all the time?

Another thing, if you like to offend people, please try to find another pastime.

Answer 4

"It's just a word to express anger". Oh ? really ? then why don't you say "Oh, grapefruits ! I am sooo mad ! Grapefruit, grapefruit, GRAPEFRUIT ! ! " there, you see ? you're probably laughing at that crazy suggestion. The "F word" is effective at expressing anger because it isn't "just a word". the "F" word is referring to a very special action, in a very rude way. It takes one of the most tender, bonding experiences a human can have, and reduces it to a mere act of anger. Hey: another thing: how come you don't say "castrate it ! castrate it all !!" ? you could "express anger" that way, too. But no, the "F word" refers to what is done to a woman. It refers to a woman being raped. Rape hurts. It is NOT harmless; it IS degrading. Stop using words that indicate a disregard for half the human race. I dare you to come up with ways of expressing anger that do not involve genitalia or their functions. There's a challenge for you. Good luck.

Answer 5

One's weakness in his lack of vocabulary becomes evident with the frequent abuse of the "F" word in common day language. BUt if you may, at least use a bit of background with it, and therefore you may use it more...

F**k is an English word which, when used literally as a verb, means "to engage in sexual intercourse". It is generally considered to be an offensive profanity.

It is unclear whether the word has always been considered vulgar, and if not, when it first started to be considered vulgar. Some evidence indicates that in some English-speaking locales it was considered acceptable as late as the 17th century meaning "to strike" or "to penetrate."[1] Other evidence indicates that it may have become vulgar as early as the 16th century in England, although neither set of evidence is inherently contradictory to the other, since many words have multiple connotations.

F**k is used not only as a verb (transitive and intransitive), but also as a noun, interjection, and, occasionally, as an expletive infix.

Answer 6

Look it up. If your not a religious person and your not offended by the word it says a lot about you. There are other nicer ways to express your anger besides the f word. Do you even know what it means? Even if you think you do go look up the true meaning of it. Its not a way to express anger like you think it is. Go ask your parents if you truely want to know.

Answer 7

Because the origin of the word is a legal acronym from the old bailey courts in England. It means TO RAPE! That is the charge of the courts when the word first appeared in the English language.
F= for, U= unlawful, C= carnal, K= knowledge.
The rapist was brought to court and charged For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. The courts were swamped with rape cases in the early nineteenth century and to speed things along the courts cut some small corners. One of them was the charge. Instead of the bailiff presenting the prisoner to the magistrate with the charge "for unlawful carnal knowledge" the changed it to the acronym ****!
Now the bailiff would bring in the prisoner and he would be charged with F.U.C.K. literally rape!
So now you know why the language is so foul on the ears and the sensitivity of most ladies.
The origin of the word is most heinous.

Answer 8

Yeah, you're right. I didn't think about that until now. Hmm, maybe they think it's a hate word instead of an anger word. People consider the "f" word to be a swear word meaning it isn't supposed to be said at all. I don't agree with that. I think it's a word that's meant to express strong angry, frustrated feelings. Thanks for bringing it up though. Haven't given it much thought until now:)

Answer 9

Its a cultural taboo that dates from the time England was conquered by the Norman French. In order to emphasize their superiority, the Normans caused Anglish to be considered vulgar. Its still that way, though people don't remember why.

I'm not surprised that (wise) didn't know that and instead took the opportunity to make a racist remark.

Answer 10

Because of its shock value.

It's an old Norse word that simply means to have sex. But its incorporation into English came along with the stigma the English carried at that time that non-English words are the words of barbarians (aka racism), so that's why it's a swear word in English.