Why the **** not?

Question

Different dictionaries will suggest slightly different definitions for the term “curse word” but what they all boil down to is this: “A curse word is any offensive, obscene and/or profane word, generally used to place emphasis or to express anger.” However, with every discovered definition came a problem. Firstly, who is it that decides whether or not the word is offensive, obscene and/or profane? Consider the following sentence:

"Need a hand with any of this sh*t?"

In this sentence the speaker is offering his/her assistance, but the recipient may conceive the speaker’s offer as being obscene due to the fact that the word ‘sh*t’ was used instead of ‘items’; ‘sh*t’ being perceived as a “curse word”. The sentence was regarded as being offensive, obscene and/or profane from the point of view of the recipient but not the speaker because of a single word.

However, from the speaker’s perspective, the word “****” in this context cannot be defined as a curse word as it wasn’t used in an offensive, obscene or profane manner, and wasn’t used to place emphasis or to express anger; it was simply used as a slang term. This is the second problem with the definition of a curse word in that; whether or not it classifies as a curse word is dependant on the context in which it is used. Under the assumption that cursing is a bad habit, many people will replace words like ‘****’ and ‘****’ with “friendlier” words:

“What the CREAM are you doing here!?!”

In this sentence the speaker has replaced the word ‘****’ with ‘cream’, yet the word ‘cream’ was used in an offensive and obscene manner, to place emphasis and to express anger. This shows that any word can become a curse word when placed within a certain context. It is often argued that words like ‘****’ and ‘****’ have negative connotations, and that is what identifies them as curse words. However, as was previously stated, the word ‘****’ can act as a substitute for other words such as ‘items’, ‘stuff’ and ‘excrement’, while ‘****’ can substitute for words such as ‘sexual intercourse’, none of which carry negative connotations themselves (if you have a problem with the natural act of excretion or sexual intercourse then I would advise staying away from other living creatures). Furthermore; many people these days perceive words like ‘god’ and ‘holy’ as carrying negative connotations as well e.g. religious martyrs & the Holy Crusades.

In conclusion; there’s no such thing as a curse word, but there is such a thing as a curse context. So should Yahoo really cover up words from the English language like they did above?

Get the SMURF out of here!!! Really!?!

I'd just like to add that it has recently been proven by psychologists that cursing in anger can have a positive psychological effect.

Answer 1

Very interesting point you made.

I use every single swear word possible.

I do not find them offencive they are just words.

Words mean different things in different languages too.

Here is an example.
In Higher case is the swear word.

Are you going to roll that DIE again, or not?

This word means the F word in Chinese.

Considering the F word is now in the dictionary I think it should be allowed to be used.

And the F word does so much for you when you say it, it makes you feel better no matter how you say it.

Good day to you.

Answer 2

you also forget that curse words are exactly that a word to curse with so the word god can be a curse word and that is why jews arnt allowed to spel gods name, the latter additions were due to aa relaxing of religiouse power and are actually more accurately described as swear words but this initself falls under a word you swear on such as again gods name, so the propper plase to class offensive words is profanity, as a swear word and a curse word in ordinary usage without the use of swearing an oath or cursing are profane, but people don't generally like talking about bodily functioning such as intercourse or bodily wast so these can be classed here to

Answer 3

I'd just like to add that it has recently been proven by psychologists that cursing in anger can have a positive psychological effect.
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I heard that, too! I also heard that dirty words during a sexual intercourse session enhances the ultimate orgasmic goal... but I have a hard time believing it... It may work only with certain kind of people... My wife wouldn't take any of that!

Answer 4

Any word used with the intention of causing offence, or that one could reasonably assume to be considered offensive IS, in that context, offensive. Using such terms is immature.
To give a silly example, if you were in a community that considered the word Jam to be offensive do not say it.
Why should any rational person wish to cause offence?

Answer 5

Using these words may seem okay to a lot of people, but when you use them you need to know that most people look at you like you have no education. It seems you never learned any better way of expressing yourself. It is seen as being of low stature, or trashy. Although I agree that a word is just a word and somtimes just fun to throw around in the right crowd. But I go back to the point the crowd will also be a trashy one.

Answer 6

Yeah because i guess there's no telling what context someone will use it in. I completely agree that it is not really a curse word until there is offense but they're words which are more likely used in offense especially on a website like "yahoo answers" rather than in daily dialogue to your friends.
That's why i think it's blocked out despite the revelation you've made.

Answer 7

what is considered a curse/obscene word is determined by the moral majority in most cases, such a definition is totally subjective depending on the reference, personal/cultural views, etc.

Answer 8

What if you were cleaning out the stables & someone said that sentence to you? IMHO, that would be a proper use of the word but would still be offensive to some.

Answer 9

It is very simple .If you mixed a good food with a bad food, does it taste Good? The good food was spoiled by the bad food so the good food could no longer be eaten because of the bad food which was mixed in it. Understand? OK?

If you are in a group of foolish men, you are already considered foolish because you are with them although you are not doing foolishness, OK NOW? Undserstand Now?
jtm

Answer 10

LOL. I'm going to adopt SMURF as one of my curse words from now on. =D

But, i guess context is really the only decider on whether a word is actually a curse word or not, and especially in today's society.