Swearing in Star Trek - Steve Shives

[1001001]

What the actual fuck, people?

You know better than this. Take the political talk to Misc or TNZ.

For you, I have nothing but contempt. And there's nothing you can do about it.

This is very personal. Knock it off or you'll get a formal warning.

The end.

 

[Tim Walker]

This may seem unrealistic, but I would suggest writing scripts without swearing. That may make it harder to write the script, but make the show cleaner.

 

[oberth]

This may seem unrealistic, but I would suggest writing scripts without swearing. That may make it harder to write the script, but make the show cleaner.

... and that's preferable like how?

 

[Worf factor9]

This may seem unrealistic, but I would suggest writing scripts without swearing. That may make it harder to write the script, but make the show cleaner.

... and that's preferable like how?

Because then we could all pretend that we are all still living in a 1950's Leave it to Beaver or Ozzie and Harriet world.

 

[fireproof78]

This may seem unrealistic, but I would suggest writing scripts without swearing. That may make it harder to write the script, but make the show cleaner.

So, how does that help make the show improved? A cleaner show sounds very nice, but also is difficult because it feels very sterile and artificial and controlled.

 

[Commander Troi]

IMHO, swearing has to fit the character. McCoy said "hell" and "damn" a lot - perfectly in character for him. If I write a hard-boiled detective, he's probably going to swear. If I write a priest, maybe not.

 

[1001001]

If I write a priest, maybe not.

You must not be Catholic...

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

So, how does that help make the show improved? A cleaner show sounds very nice, but also is difficult because it feels very sterile and artificial and controlled.

Somehow, I think that the venn diagram of people who need to tell others to swear less and that it should not be in their entertainment at all and the people who are okay with things feeling "controlled" is an easy to predict one.

 

[oberth]

You must not be Catholic...

definately not

 

[oberth]

You must not be Catholic...

catholic swearing is an art

in drei teufels namen (by the names of three devils) mutates to herrgott, maria and joseph (dear lord, virgin mary and joseph) but it definately is swearing

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

IMHO, swearing has to fit the character.

And sometimes it just DOESN'T fit.

Jeff Foxworthy, for example. In some of his old, long-since-out-of-print 'Laughing Hyena' albums, he swears. And it just seems really weird to hear him do that. His comedy is generally clean because, well, that's what we're used to. To suddenly hear him swear is just way out of character. Probably why he doesn't do it anymore.

As I said, swearing doesn't automatically make something better or funnier. Comedians such as Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy, etc. make their living from clean material, and swearing would definitely not work with them. Others such as George Carlin or Greg Giraldo swear a blue streak, and it DOES fit them.

 

[Commander Troi]

You must not be Catholic...

Ex-Catholic. Technically, an apostate. That's why I said "maybe".

 

[Commander Troi]

catholic swearing is an art

in drei teufels namen (by the names of three devils) mutates to herrgott, maria and joseph (dear lord, virgin mary and joseph) but it definately is swearing

THAT is a different story! I often used my Italian grandmother's phrases at school to avoid getting beaten by nuns.

 

[oberth]

THAT is a different story! I often used my Italian grandmother's phrases at school to avoid getting beaten by nuns.

ex althar boy here - agnostic now (which gives me a rather interesting seat if they start burning people again)

 

[1001001]

THAT is a different story! I often used my Italian grandmother's phrases at school to avoid getting beaten by nuns.

Ah, yes.

Fond memories of Catholic School…

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[oldtrekkie]

Fire and brimstone.

 

[Greg Cox]

IMHO, swearing has to fit the character. McCoy said "hell" and "damn" a lot - perfectly in character for him. If I write a hard-boiled detective, he's probably going to swear. If I write a priest, maybe not.

Exactly. It's all about what fits the character, the setting, or the moment.

One of the few times I've ever complained to a publisher was when I got an overly fussy copyeditor who insisted on making sure everything was in proper English, even in dialogue, so that suddenly my hard-boiled NY cop was speaking the Queen's English, as though he was a butler on Downton Abbey. .

I protested and restored the appropriately "incorrect" grammar.

(Come to think of it, I recall another copyeditor who seemed determined to make my adult spy thriller more family-friendly, relentlessly toning down any violence or profanity to YA levels. Again, I protested; I wasn't writing a kid's book.)

 

[seigezunt]

"just for the sake of swearing" and "forced" are extremely subjective.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

What the actual fuck, people?

You know better than this. Take the political talk to Misc or TNZ.

Poppycock! The proclamation above is precisely the kind of churlish vulgarity I have come to expect from a foul devotee of the Whig Party.

 

[Greg Cox]

"just for the sake of swearing" and "forced" are extremely subjective.

And seldom seem to be applied to other elements of writing, that somehow aren't constantly called upon to "justify" their usage.

"Damn those forced witticisms and literary references! And don't get me started about irony just for the sake of irony!"