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Swearing

(78 Posts)
thatbags Wed 12-Oct-16 16:06:36

I love the photo from The Conversation's article on swearing.

Haven't read it yet. Photo's great, except that not all swearing is shouty or angry, which it does rather imply.

Swanny Thu 13-Oct-16 11:04:03

Playing darts with some friends and missed the shot that would have won me the game. Stamped my foot and without thinking said 'knickers, knackers, knockers'! Much merriment from everyone and I've never been allowed to forget it! Not swearing but shocked them all as I'd normally be more inclined to say 'oh dear' smile

Wobblybits Thu 13-Oct-16 11:11:16

GAN, yes that's the one. Thanks. Must get that LP out.

POGS Thu 13-Oct-16 12:11:04

Depends on the timing, the context of it's use.

However strong language in children's company is a no no.

sunseeker Thu 13-Oct-16 16:03:16

I don't often swear but it doesn't bother me to hear it. However I was shocked to hear a father the other day ask his young daughter (about 10) why she was being a dickhead!! She and her brother and sister didn't bat an eye so I assume they were used to it.

One time my (adult) nephew was pontificating about something and I said I had never heard so much bullshit at one time. He looked totally shocked - I then remarked to my brother how sweet it was that he thought his generation had invented swearing!

lizzypopbottle Thu 13-Oct-16 22:28:39

There's nothing wrong with having a good shouts swear but I can't bring myself to use the F word even if I'm all alone! I grew up knowing it and its related gesture were unacceptable. Obviously, I hear it a lot in everyday life and it has certainly lost its shock value but part of the reason is that I'm pretty mild mannered and rarely feel the need to shout obscenities! I do shout other words and phrases that my dad used to use. Some of them might be considered as oaths so apologies to religious members. They often cause great hilarity among my children ? I enjoy ringing the changes with them e.g. Hell and damnation! Dash, bother and blow! Blood and sand! For the love of Pete! Bu**er it all to hell! (That's not butter!) Bloody hellfire! Damn and blast it! Rats! Fishcakes! Fiddle faddle! There's loads more. I won't shock you further...

lizzypopbottle Thu 13-Oct-16 22:29:51

Shouty not shouts! Bl**dy predictive text!

lizzypopbottle Thu 13-Oct-16 22:32:42

A male friend once commented he'd never heard anyone swear so politely!

kittylester Fri 14-Oct-16 07:39:45

If it involves the Idiot (ex Sil) then any swearing is not only acceptable, it is compulsory!!!

Wobblybits Fri 14-Oct-16 08:49:07

Something I find odd.

If I am on my own I will use the F word. although mostly S..t or Bo....s. Prompted by a mistake or accident.

In front of Mrs P. I would never use the "f" word.

In front of children or strangers. I would never swear.

How come I can sub-consciously switch off the swearing gene. Many men are the same, they swear at work, but not at home. ladies may be the same, but don't have experience of that.

Marmight Fri 14-Oct-16 09:22:46

I once, in temper, called my Mum a 'silly clot' and was banished to my room for the rest of the day. blush. However, now I am all growned up, I do find myself swearing out loud when I hit the proverbial thumb with a hammer or can't fix something. I have to remind myself that hearing a woman saying f** or anything similar, is not a pleasant experience and I should try to avoid doing so - not always achievable. In Australia it is common place to use 'bugger' and it is often heard on the tv as an every day referral to a bloke. I was mildly surprised at first but, when in Rome ...... I did once explain what it meant to one of my daughters and surprise surprise, she wasn't shocked. I think today's generation use swear words as we used gosh, crumbs and good heavens.

annodomini Fri 14-Oct-16 10:35:14

I am quite profane in my own company, especially when commenting on other people's driving. But I keep it clean within earshot of others and especially the GC, though I fear that they hear worse in the playground.

grannypiper Fri 14-Oct-16 11:29:11

norose4, i am with you there, here in S.W Scotland a small % use that word constantly even calling their children that ! it is awful. I can swear like a fish wife when its warranted but have never ever uttered the "c" word.

Luckylegs9 Fri 14-Oct-16 16:53:28

Everyone uses the odd swear word, to just use it in every sentence as if it didn't matter is awful. Would steer clear of anyone like that, I find it offensive, like someone chain smoking in my space. The new Bridget Jones film, apart from it being load of rubbish, so one pushing 50 having unprotected sex and behaving like a teenager in an aging body using the f word in every sentence, even the children were using it. What a message to send out to youngsters, no wonder the youngsters think it normal it saves them thinking about what they say.

Spangles1963 Tue 18-Oct-16 18:47:55

For some reason if I hear someone swear who normally doesn't or only very rarely,I find it hilarious. About 20 years ago,when my DD was only 12,my late DM,DD and myself had gone to a buffet restaurant. My DD and I had queued up and got our food,but my DM had been delayed,because the couple in front of her were having a bit of an 'issue' about a plate (had a crack in it apparently). By the time she got served and came and sat down,DM was decidedly irritated. She said 'For god's sake! I thought they were never going to stop pissing about'. Relatively mild by most standards,but strong stuff from my DM. DD and I fell about laughing.

Grandma2213 Wed 19-Oct-16 02:39:17

Wobbly I agree the gene can be switched off. On my own I can swear like a trooper, mild swearing with DS but not in front of DGC. I admit to saying 'Flippety Floppety Floo Fla' in front of DGC which quadruples the 'F' word and they are now starting to say it too. Is that just as bad, as the sentiment is still the same?







dGC

NfkDumpling Wed 19-Oct-16 07:59:46

When does a word become sweary? I've been told off for saying an exasperated bloody when, unknown, a GC was standing behind me, but I find I can let rip with Bummocks with impunity. With much gratitude to Sarah Kennedy relating it on her morning show many, many moons ago, Bummocks has come in very useful!

thatbags Wed 19-Oct-16 08:41:55

Bloody is not a swear word any more. It's a filler, a padder, an emphasis adder. (I like the rhythm of that smile )

Flippety-floppety-floo-flah means the same as fuck when fuck is used an an ejaculation of exasperation or pain (dropped hammer).

A word or phrase becomes a swear word (or a 'naughty', bad, unpleasant word) when it is used at someone, i.e. when one uses it to be rude. If one isn't being rude or abusive then one isn't swearing. Swearing is a behaviour rather than a bunch of words. Some people are just as rude, abusive, angry, etc using words that are not regarded as swear words.

I think we don't like kids to learn so-called swear words too early because we want them to expand their vocabulary in other ways first. That's all it's about as far as I'm concerned.

thatbags Wed 19-Oct-16 08:48:33

Flippety-floppeties and bummocks are just swear word substitutes, a bit like using asterisks. Fine with little kids who will be entertained by the game of inventing words, but patronising if used among teenagers and adults.

I should admit to still saying "Bogaday!" and "Looseless!" Those were Minibags's toddler 'swear' words. Cant, remember where bogaday came from but looseless was because there were a lot of speed bumps along our route to the sailing club in Oxon and MrBags always complained about them, calling them "Useless Things!"

Anyway, the point is, the flippeties and bummockses and bogadays just prove the point that most "swearing" isn't swearing at all but just additions of emphasis, especially when feeling annoyed or exasperated about something. They are emotion defusers.

And therefore good, on the whole.

soop Wed 19-Oct-16 15:10:09

When irate I use the word...TROLLOCKS... it isn't a rude word. I simply opt for a Zen-like middle ground. Shout the word, (mean something similar) and get away with it.

trisher Wed 19-Oct-16 16:24:57

I like an occasional swear. Usually at something (never someone). I like to do it when I am with someone who thinks I am a nice, harmless, slightly eccentric, old lady I slip the word in quickly in my poshest accent. You can see by their faces they are trying to work out-"Did she really say that?"
I remember once working in a nursery class at a school and one 3year old coming in and swearing furiously "Oh, said his mum,"I don't know where he picked that up!" We did we'd heard her in the yard in a morning telling him to get the F* off that F*****g wall or she would... Well it went on in the same vein.

Thingmajig Wed 19-Oct-16 19:32:14

I am a non-swearer, but was a nurse in the bad old (working) days so definitely know ALL the words! grin
DH is Danish but both knows and uses many swearies. Grrrr!

NfkDumpling Thu 20-Oct-16 17:59:26

Ooo, I like Trollocks!

NfkDumpling Thu 20-Oct-16 18:00:12

I shall try it out when the opportunity next arises.

Grandma2213 Fri 21-Oct-16 00:20:15

Oh thatbags I also like that rhythm and so may use 'Filler, padder and emphasis adder' next time I need to let rip!! I can then add, "I've just defused my emotions." Hopefully that will have the added advantage of further extending the DGC's vocabulary.

soop Fri 21-Oct-16 15:23:51

NfkDumpling You need to roll your r's...wink