Just some ponderings of the “F” word. In some places it is not suitable to use, in others outright banned or censored. This is unfortunate in my view because sometimes the word can be very effectively used to illustrate a point, describe a situation etc. etc. “IT’S A BAD WORD!” Heard that before? I, like some of you, first heard that statement at the age of five. In my case it was a teacher who delivered the blow but not long after my Mom busted me and then the minister and by the age of seven I knew well where I could and could not use the word socially. My friends and I swore like truckers when well out of earshot of those who considered it a bad word. Today I was passing by a playing field and heard from the mouth of a five/six year old “I hadya down…You’re f___ing dead so it’s his turn” The word has forever been hidden from children and yet they all grow up to use it as adults…In certain circles of course! Maybe it retains forever its stigma as a bad word because we never forgot the sermon on how bad the word was when we were little. My point I guess is that as much as we try to protect our little people from this “BAD WORD” it is with us more than ever today. I think I’m going to have to do a thesis on this, maybe a novel to get my point across but hopefully someone gets my drift. Also, this has no bearing on whether we can or cannot use the word here, it’s just me tossing around ideas again.
Can't help it my brain just went this way
- Thread starter Mino
- Start date
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
If it was widely accepted, I think I'd have a little less fun saying it. 
Although I do disagree with censorship. I leave it to the writers to know the audience and choose the right dialog for the right scenario.
EDIT: I like your avatar face. I imagine that is the face you make while contemplating this question.
Although I do disagree with censorship. I leave it to the writers to know the audience and choose the right dialog for the right scenario.
EDIT: I like your avatar face. I imagine that is the face you make while contemplating this question.
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DivotDan
Veteran
This weekend, while filming a wedding none the less, I heard the Officiant via his mic though my head phones drop the F-bomb more than once as he was having a discussion with the bestman. This happened while the happy couple had just walked out the door and I'm filming them in their newly wedded embrace. Kinda had to refocus myself as that was a first for me.
Man if I had a dollar for everytime I've heard that word on a set of com headphones During the gigs I tech, I'd be living in a big old house in yonder hills
I heard it used in passing a couple of times today in what were very hushed but still audible (by me) moments and the one guy was pitching to some pretty heavy investors who never heard it...He was quietly ranting about his laptop to a peer.
ConspiracyPenguin
Nosey Penguin
The word has become commonplace in my High School (and, sadly, in most elementary schools too) I say "sadly" because it is considered to be such a bad word. I, for one, don't understand why certain words are "bad words." What the hell difference does it make, a word is a word. I think if everyone accepted it for what it is (just another WORD) it wouldn't be such a big deal at all.
Personally, I get much more satisfaction from shouting "Jesus Christ!" than I do from dropping the F-Bomb (as it is called). Blasphemy is just rarer in these parts than "bad words" which makes it more pleasing to me.
Personally, I get much more satisfaction from shouting "Jesus Christ!" than I do from dropping the F-Bomb (as it is called). Blasphemy is just rarer in these parts than "bad words" which makes it more pleasing to me.
Richard J. Johnson
Joystick Member
are we allowed to type it here?
" I think if everyone accepted it for what it is (just another WORD) it wouldn't be such a big deal at all."
True...The word is just a word, it holds value to me and a few associates but somehow it's gotten itself a bad rap for no seemingly good reason, deep rooted within the collective psyche of our planet if you will. For the living to accept it for what it is (just another word) is a huge leap in faith concept for me at least within the knowable future.
True...The word is just a word, it holds value to me and a few associates
but somehow it's gotten itself a bad rap for no seemingly good reason, deep rooted within the collective psyche of our planet if you will. For the living to accept it for what it is (just another word) is a huge leap in faith concept for me at least within the knowable future.Loren Simons
DVXuser Sponsor
I can't count the times a day i hear it, either from me, my parents, passing in the halls at school. I've gotten quite bored of the word, so i make my own variations of the word, as well as some pretty awesome dances i have to say....hahaha
Luis Caffesse
Admin
A word is not simply a word -
Words have meaning - meaning which we all agree upon in order to build languages and communicate.
These are not simply random sounds and groups of letters.
Granted, meanings can shift and change over time - but the general connotation of the F-word has always been a negative one.
Personlly I've never understood the 'word is just a word' approach.
It's fine to say you're not offended by words (I know I'm not) -
but they do have meaning, and connotations - and so you can't really be surprised when
people react in certain ways when they are used outside of their appropriate context.
Words have meaning - meaning which we all agree upon in order to build languages and communicate.
These are not simply random sounds and groups of letters.
Granted, meanings can shift and change over time - but the general connotation of the F-word has always been a negative one.
Personlly I've never understood the 'word is just a word' approach.
It's fine to say you're not offended by words (I know I'm not) -
but they do have meaning, and connotations - and so you can't really be surprised when
people react in certain ways when they are used outside of their appropriate context.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
It's the most versatile word we have.:beer:
movies aren't a bad influence
movies aren't a bad influence
F(V)K yeah.
I was seven when I first heard the word . I think the teenagers here
at least were in to Punk . When ever I think of the first time
I was introduced to this word I'm remembered of the movie
"Class of 1984."
I tried that word out the whole weekend like it was a new toy.
That monday morning my mother told me to stop using it ,cause
nice people won't love you anymore.
So I went to school and started cursing in my own language again, Dutch and Sranan Tongo.
Teacher Teacher.
movies aren't a bad influence
F(V)K yeah.
I was seven when I first heard the word . I think the teenagers here
at least were in to Punk . When ever I think of the first time
I was introduced to this word I'm remembered of the movie
"Class of 1984."
I tried that word out the whole weekend like it was a new toy.
That monday morning my mother told me to stop using it ,cause
nice people won't love you anymore.
So I went to school and started cursing in my own language again, Dutch and Sranan Tongo.
Teacher Teacher.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
i suppose i'm obligated to show my face in a thread like this, considering how much mileage i've gotten out of the word. luis is right. the word is not meaningless (aka "just a word"). it's loaded like few others.
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Words do have meaning. But the F-bomb's meaning and connotations are arbitrary and perfectly worthy of being challenged. Swearing and "foul" language are all arbitrary and definitely not in the same class as words with real connotations, like the N-word.
Mattykins
Cute Member
I use it a lot. I never used to really "swear" but then as it got integrated into conversation more often. It's become commonplace. So there is really no meaning attached to the words with many people. Though it still can pack a punch when used right or by someone who doesn't use it. For me and my friends - it's just used like we would use "crap".
BobDiaz
The Professor
Maybe I'm the odd-ball here, but I don't use any bad words ever.
To me it's more a matter of self control and character. I can fully express myself without the need for any bad words.
As a teacher, image and credibility are very important to me. Both how I dress and how I act in the classroom will have an impact on how the students react to me. Students take the classes to get a degree and get a better job, but there's more than just knowing a lot of "stuff". It's also a matter of being able to look and act the part.
If one goes to a job interview looking like a slob, chances are you won't get the job. Even how you talk will impact your success or failure at getting the job.
Once you get the job, the future chances of moving up are related to how your boss sees you. Thus, if you look, act, and sound professional and motivated, your chances are greater than if you look, act and sound less than professional.
Bob Diaz
To me it's more a matter of self control and character. I can fully express myself without the need for any bad words.
As a teacher, image and credibility are very important to me. Both how I dress and how I act in the classroom will have an impact on how the students react to me. Students take the classes to get a degree and get a better job, but there's more than just knowing a lot of "stuff". It's also a matter of being able to look and act the part.
If one goes to a job interview looking like a slob, chances are you won't get the job. Even how you talk will impact your success or failure at getting the job.
Once you get the job, the future chances of moving up are related to how your boss sees you. Thus, if you look, act, and sound professional and motivated, your chances are greater than if you look, act and sound less than professional.
Bob Diaz
Any word can be foul or profane, dependent on context. If the word - any word - is used against some one with the intent to insult, harm, or otherwise belittle, then that word is profane. For example, "scum" is a term used to describe a stinky, smelly slime that floats on the surface of a pond (or sits at the bottom). A perfectly acceptable word, right? Yet, we refer to "unpleasant" people often as "scum," which is really a nasty insult when you sit down and define it. And yet, no one even blinks at this use of the word... not even the FCC.
I halfway agree with the OP here, though I do know that we have to be careful of the beliefs and values of others as well. A word used to exclaim surprise, excitement, pain, etc., really has no profane value to it whatsoever except within the history of the word. If I stub my toe and scream, "S**t!" in response, is it really any different than what kids see when Spongebob yells "Tartar sauce!" in the same situation? (But then, to me... both smell foul and I try to avoid eating either...)
Biologists and zoologists use the term "scat" in reference to animal droppings. It's poop. Yet, do we really stop to think what we're saying when we call some one a scatter-brain? We laugh, even though we've just labeled some one as a s**t-head. And for that matter, "poop" is a safe word that means the exact same thing. So what makes that acceptable and the other not?
I think, in the long run, our values are a bit out of whack with some words. But even with this point of view, I also know that I have to watch what I say and when/where I say it.
I halfway agree with the OP here, though I do know that we have to be careful of the beliefs and values of others as well. A word used to exclaim surprise, excitement, pain, etc., really has no profane value to it whatsoever except within the history of the word. If I stub my toe and scream, "S**t!" in response, is it really any different than what kids see when Spongebob yells "Tartar sauce!" in the same situation? (But then, to me... both smell foul and I try to avoid eating either...)
Biologists and zoologists use the term "scat" in reference to animal droppings. It's poop. Yet, do we really stop to think what we're saying when we call some one a scatter-brain? We laugh, even though we've just labeled some one as a s**t-head. And for that matter, "poop" is a safe word that means the exact same thing. So what makes that acceptable and the other not?
I think, in the long run, our values are a bit out of whack with some words. But even with this point of view, I also know that I have to watch what I say and when/where I say it.
Luis Caffesse
Admin
I don't see swear words connotations or meanings as being any more arbitrary than any other word - these are words that have been added to our language over the years, and society (through it's usage and repetition of the word) has decided on its connotation and meaning. The F-word has always been seen as a loaded word with a negative connotation. It's been used for centuries (at least) and has never been considered by society as a whole to have a positive connotation in all that time.
You can say otherwise if you want, because you personally don't find it offensive, but that ignores the whole of society and history that disagrees.
To say the connotation and meaning is arbitrary is analogous to saying "What is dog was spelled c-a-t?"
It just doesn't mean much of anything - because in the end it does carry a connotation with it, whether we like it or not.
And dog is still spelled d-o-g...otherwise it wouldn't be "dog".
Like I said - I don't really find swearing offensive - In fact I think some of you might be surprised how much I sound like a dock worker in real life (no offense to dock workers).... but that doesn't mean the word's connotation has changed to society as a whole. There is a reason I don't use profanity on the boards (very often), and there is a reason I don't use profanity with clients. It's because these words do have meaning - and that meaning is not arbitrary in regards to society as a whole.
Just my 2 cents.
We may have to agree to disagree.
Capt Quirk
Veteran
My wife took our oldest son into Sunday School at about age 5. The teacher was talking about "bad words", when my son raised his hand. He then stood up and announced very clearly, "My Papa says 'Fu*k'!" My wife just about died on the spot.