2007-06-20 05:49:21 · 11 answers · asked by Jonathan B 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
This is an interesting thought, isn't it? To your point, if someone came up to you and started using all kinds of vile words from a language you did not understand, it's not likely you would have the same reaction as someone who speaks and understands the language. I think this is true even if you could get some clue the person was upset with you just from their demeanor. Those foreign words are not even words they are just sounds.
As others have pointed out the impact of words has a lot to do with context and conditioning. As an example of how this works, try the following test:
Below are two lists of words. At the end of each list is another word with a letter missing. After reading each list, determine what the missing letter is that completes the last word.
Moan
Complain
Argue
Whine
Pout
GR _PE
Apple
Pear
Banana
Orange
Cherry
GR_PE
For most people, the first list would lead them to believe the final word was "GRIPE". But, the second list would lead most people to believe the final word was "GRAPE". In both cases, the incomplete word you are given with the missing letter is exactly the same. The difference in the two answers for filling in the missing letter has to do with what you have been exposed to leading up to deciding your answer. The same thing happens with so-called "bad words". For ages, our various cultures give us experiences (like reading the list of leading words) that clue us in that certain words are "bad". Therefore, when we are exposed to these "bad" words we perpetuate the sense we have been taught about the words; we react to the context and conditioning that has taught us to see "GRIPE" instead of "GRAPE".
2007-06-20 10:17:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is the meaning behind the word that makes it bad. For example B*t*h when used towards a woman it is considered a curse but when it is used in its literal meaning as in a female dog then it is not considered a curse word.
2007-06-20 12:54:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A word is considered "bad" when there is a large portion of the population that finds the words offensive. Such as if you were to walk up to me on the street and say "**** you" I would find that offensive. Hence, **** is considered a "bad" word.
2007-06-20 12:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Nell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are just words but, when said with a certain attitude or level of emotion, become bad words. One could say any word with a certain attitude or connotation and that word could become a bad word.
2007-06-24 01:23:30 · answer #4 · answered by nursy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And a gun is just a tool that projects a pellet in a desired direction.
Both have the ability to be useful or hurtful. It's how they are used that makes the difference.
2007-06-20 12:57:57 · answer #5 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
good question, i wonder that to. but this is what i think, once apon a time there were 2 drunk hobos that made up words and decided that to offend others they made up bad words.
2007-06-20 12:56:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because they hurt. When I was a litlle girl, I used to say stuff not beeing aware of their actual meening. So then my mom used to go like "don't say that it's bad"
2007-06-20 13:02:09 · answer #7 · answered by stinky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Especially the word "ni gger".
2007-06-20 12:53:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's the meaning behind the words that makes them taboo, not the words themselves
2007-06-20 12:57:35 · answer #9 · answered by emily m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats just the way it is
2007-06-20 12:51:49 · answer #10 · answered by EAZY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋