Why do people cuss?

Question

Why do people cuss? It's so so stupid!
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Who made cussing words up?
Just wondering

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By a show of hands (or words) how many of u cuss?

Answer 1

As other have suggested, your question is hard to give one simple answer to. That's partly because (as others have noted) people may have different REASONS for speaking this way. But it's also because "cussing/cursing/swearing...." actually covers a VARIETY of types of language, which originally had different purposes.

I assume you are referring to :"four-letter words", "profanity", "dirty talk" and such. But actually "cursing" and "swearing" originally refers to something a bit different from that.

"Curse" words were the words/expressions used to pronounce a formal curse of ill-will of legal judgment against someone. Though it might be spoken out of malice or temporary anger, it had a PROPER legal purpose of declaring judgment for those guilty of some serious offense, crime, etc.

A major formal use of curses was in the SWEARING of an oath -- when someone was put under solemn obligation to tell the truth (about a serious matter in a court trial) or to keep a legal promise as in a contract, treaty or 'covenant' between two groups. The curses in these oaths were statements of what should rightfully happen to the person who deliberately LIED or BROKE the solemn promise.

Note too that these oaths were frequently sworn BY/in the name of an important person (often a king) or (esp) a deity, or by something specially dedicated to that deity (sacred object, temple, etc). The idea was that the HONOR of the king, deity, etc was at stake -- if you violated what was declared in their name you brought dishonor to them. For that reason the one you swore by was often expected to CARRY out the curse on the oath-breakers, to vindicate their own honor.

As you can see, there is an important and appropriate place in society for this 'swearing' and uttering curses.
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Now notice the deity or things specially belonging to that deity are considered very special, as "holy", and not to be treated lightly, as if they were simple ordinary things. To treat them with such disregard is to "profane" them or to treat them as "vulgar" (that is, "commonplace"). This "profaning" would, of course, include oaths lightly spoken, or broken.

This is where what we often call "profanity" and "vulgar language" comes in. Certain words which may start out as perfectly ordinary and proper words to refer to a private function (esp. excretory or sexual acts and anatomy), may end up being though of (and/or used as) very flip, even disrespectful or violent ways of speaking about these things, ways that are not acceptable in polite society. (Hence, people often use them when they INTEND to be impolite and to offend... esp. to express anger or animosity.)

Some people think this is all silly and that those who object to such language are prudish or . That may sometimes be true. But in fact the usual REASON society regards these words as offensive is based on a HIGH regard for personal dignity'/honor and esp of sex. That is, it is precisely because sex is NOT just a cheap, commonplace thing, but a wonderful, special (nearly sacred) thing, that it should not be treated disrespectfully.

Be careful though -- it is true that some folks "swear" or "cuss" precisely because they wish to be disrespectful or hurtful. But there are other reasons, including the fact that because we all know these are POWERFUL negative words, often full of anger and intended to hurt, that we easily slip into using them when we are angry -- whether the anger is directed at someone else (who may have hurt us or hurt others we care about) or simply in an outburst of frustration not directed at anyone really, but at the circumstances (esp. in severe pain).

Also, it is true that some who use such language don't mean as much by it as those who deliberately use it in anger. It may have simply become a bad habit, esp. as a way of expressing anger (and even mild anger), without really thinking at all about the meaning of the word.

Answer 2

There are two forms of cussing. One is when a person belongs to a group whose language is so bereft of learning that they fill the gaps with four letter words. In this case it is not "cussing" so much as sound-making.
The other case is where someone receives some kind of shock - stubbing ones toe, dropping a prized piece of crockery, being barged into by some careless thug, for example. Here cussing is a verbal alternative to a violent physical reaction which, in the case of these examples, is impracticable.

Answer 3

I try my best not to cuss. I have let a few slide before but always wish I hadn't. To me it shows not only a lack of class, but a lack of self control. It really bothers me when people do it around my kids. I think for most people it is just an instant reaction to something. But for some it is in their daily vocabulary. I just try to ignore it. You can't control what other people say, so you have to learn how to live with it!

Answer 4

People swear because they get angry or frustrated
and thats how they let off steam.


I don't cuss... There is no need to when I have an entire
dictionary of other words I can use!

Answer 5

is calling a cusser stupid cussing? I prefer telling people that they are a dolt, saying something is stupid is just like cussing.

Answer 6

why do people not cuss? they have a variety of motives and reasons. there is no simple statement that will encompass all the reasons some people cuss and some people don't.

Answer 7

When you are angry the curse words seem to come to mind easier. When one has their wits about them, they have time to speak in a civil manner. Anger seems to block our otherwise intelligent manner of thinking. It takes me quite a while before I resort to cursing.

My family and friends make fun of me at times because I use terms such as:

fiddle faddle
Jimminy crickets
poppycock
for cyring out loud.

I have heard many curses through out my life, but I try to hold my tongue.

Answer 8

My parents used to say that only those people who do not have a good grasp of the English language feel the need to swear. In other words, they are not articulate enough to state what they really mean, so they resort to the vernacular or worse.

Answer 9

I do curse when I'm angry and am far from uneducated or stupid. I have completed a graduate degree. And to answer your question, people curse for different reasons.

Answer 10

1. They think it makes them stronger when in the presence of others, and they have such a small vocabulary that they just CAN'T come up with 'dang' or 'shoot'.
2. I say the Satan - he wants people to follow him *duh* and that is a easy way to get them to do so . God deosn't want people cussing, and we find it so simple and non-sinning.
3. I cuss once in a while, i admit, but i try not to.

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