Swearing

Well, I don't think that you're alone, by any means. I hate it, too - most of the time. The strange thing is that, it seems, a few people can carry off using variations of the 'F' word almost effing every second effing word. I don't know why, but in a few people I know, I find it almost endearing. They are, I have to say, mostly locally well-known 'characters' and one clearly likes them because, despite their obsession with certain interjections and adjectives, they have a heart of gold. In general, though, callow youths (and lasses, too) should have their mouths forcibly washed out in the nearest horse trough ... uh ... but where can you find a horse trough these days?

Both you and the Earl are correct. I work in customer service, and answer calls all day long. It is amazing how many people (of all ages) reach out and call me, and need my help and yet they swear so many times during any given sentence that they say. And all that I can think is that you are insulting me and yet you want me to help you. Its disheartening, I am especially offended when they take the Lord's name in vain-I cannot stand that. Yes, if I stub my toe or drop something unexpectedly I might say crap-using another word of course, but not that other word, its not part of me.

We have a lot of ear pollution these days.

The dictionary has them which means they are in use. I do not think anyone likes to hear those words - certainly not me.

It's become so commonplace these days. I'm not a fuddy duddy either but you're right about it being interjected into everyday conversation. How did it become so acceptable?

I am very careful about using swear words I remember getting a right telling off from my grandmother for saying blimey! I have never forgotten it as she made me feel so bad!

It is just the way I talk, thank the Marines for making it worse. I know what you mean and have actually tried to watch myself in the past. It does get a bit out of hand and becomes ugly at a point. I remember when I got out when was one of the first times I visited the local bar. Miss bartender loved me already but was telling a story and her friend goes, geez, the mouth on this one. Sorry, how I speak.

this is part of their language.They hear this every day and see this in movies.Most movies use the F words.So no big deal to them.

I often think that the swearing takes place from having a lack of vocabulary.

It is horrible at the school where I work. The teenagers will drop the F bomb right in front of a teacher and have absolutely no shame about it at all.

you are right, some people really use it too much, there is no need of it.

I do catch myself saying it a lot but i also only use it around certain people. Older people like my grandma, my uncles, my mom etc I will not cuss at all out of respect and also around children because I don't want to be the one to add it to their vocabulary but I agree people say it a lot. I know people who say it around everyone and anyone at any time

Not alone at all, it seems to be accepted by all ages and it is a disgrace.

Are certain words made acceptable by the "tuff" crowd where to survive means becoming rebellious and hardened? When you used the phrase fuddy-duddy instead I just had to look that one up. Some say it was a Scots phrase changed from duddy fuddiel, a ragged fellow or originally from Shakespeare duddy betheral possibly meaning scarecrow. The point being some words become popular from difficult times and then catch on in everyday street lanquage.

I agree with you. I have known people to pepper their sentences so much with profanity that I'm not actually sure of what they're saying. I don't like it but I can put up with the odd swear word. When it's every other word, though, I just stop listening as I find it too much effort to pick out the actual words. Also because I assume they don't have anything worth saying. I have recently read something that claims people who swear are more intelligent. In my opinion, that was made up by someone who swears a lot and thinks it's OK. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe that swearing is a sign of a limited vocabulary. I don't swear - not even if I whack myself with a hammer. My partner doesn't swear (except in his sleep on occasion). He said that his daughters swear (not that I've heard them) because of where they're from but I think that's just an excuse for the fact they have a rubbish mum who didn't raise them properly. I realise that there are places where certain words are deemed worse than others, and certain places where swearing is not considered as bad as it is elsewhere. I'd be disappointed with my children if they swore. They never have done, and I don't feel they would think they ever had reason to.

I prefer that just out of respect, they don't say it around me... at least that is what it was like, when I was a teen. Doesn't happen anymore!!

You are not alone.I feel the same way. To people who use the F word, it's like any other word to them.

I totally agree with you and the Earl. It usually shows a lack of vocabulary, but it's just becoming too common. I refuse to get used to it.

I will admit that I have a nasty mouth @jaboUK . My sister reminds of that often.

I don't use them in my everyday conversations. I certainly do not like hearing swearing in the language I speak as well as mother tongue either. However, I notice that swearing in English seems to get the pass around me. Even on social media, people will object to swearing in Hindi, or any other Indian language among themselves but let English swearing go. I find it strange.