Can I use a rude word in a seminar?

Question

the word begins with B and rhymes with "Ollocks" - I want to put it on a slide

the audience is professional engineering types, generally thirties or below

i won't be wearing a tie

what do you think?

PS not looking for another job - it's my own business.

Answer 1

Why the use of rude words at all? It is unprofessional, undignified and shows a lack of respect, not least to yourself. I realise that in some industries (advertising, etc.) it seems to be 'de rigeur' but you should not feel obliged to "dumb down" in order to appease the lowest minds.
As for the tie issue, I hope you will nevertheless be smartly dressed as this is only a common courtesy to people with whom you come into contact (especially in a professional context).

Answer 2

Surely it depends on the context in which its used, for example used in a jokey kinda way that might lighten the mood of the seminar and grab peoples attention then why not!

I guess with the group of people you're presenting to it'll be generally pretty acceptable but just be confident about it and don't make a bigger deal out of it than it is!

Answer 3

You can, it is your mouth and your slide but should you? For me, the words we use projects an image of who we are to the audience. Rude and crude words may gain you some laughters but may lose you the "respect" of the people you are presenting to. My boss likes to show off by using the "F---" word frequently in meetings, thinking that it makes him look macho and big, but all it does for me and the rest is a loss of respect for him. No one says it because he is the boss but behind his back, they really express disgust and disappointment at his behavior.

Lose your wealth is okay, you have only lost a little because you can earn it again,
Lose your health, you have lost something but you may get well and recover, but lose your character and your integrity and you have lost everything because respect lost is hard to recover!

Think it over, is there is a better word that you can use without having to resort to rudeness and crudity? The final decision is yours.

Answer 4

I don't think it'll shock'em too much, given your key demographic.
On the other hand, although your tielessness makes it sound like it'll be a fairly informal affair, don't confuse informal with unprofessional. They may generally be thirties and below, but there might be a couple of old farts who'll take offence.

Answer 5

Mate, what do you expect to gain by saying it?
A Cheap laugh?

At the cost of professionalism, I would not take the risk but if you know the audience well enough to know they will not be offended then maybe do it

Answer 6

I like when people are relaxed. Don't approve rude words, though. But a single word would not sound too rude, I believe. What I want to say is, Try it!

Answer 7

its not a rude word...there is no such thing as rude words. Words are word.
If people are ingnorant enough to find some words offensive just becouse they are spoken or mention within their earshot, then it is they who are at fault, not you the user.

Pity the fools who cut themselves off from avenues of our language.

Bollocks is, as was proved by the sex pistols in their famous court case (regarding the album ' never mind the bollocks), just another word for a monk (or thereabouts).

Answer 8

If your command of the English language is not as good as the engineer's, then perhaps it would be better not to use the word because you might be thought of as one who always uses the vernacular in place of plain good old English.

Answer 9

i see nothing wrong with it! its not the most formal of affairs and its not a word they havent heard before!
as long as no one is likely to be offended i would say go ahead and put it in - its actually likely to have a posative impact on your presentation as people will sit up and notice!
good luck with it though - i hate public speaking!

Answer 10

Yeah why not? Nothing wrong with a rude word or two once in a while.
Besides, iut's would be easier than saying male genitalia won't it?