The F**k word in Star Trek

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It comes across as nothing more than some writer or producer saying "hey, we are on streaming now, so let's drop some f-bombs to be all edgy."

Exactly.

The F-word is overrated. Using it in Trek just gives the impression that "hey, look at us, we're so modern, we're so cutting edge, we're better than you because we swear and you don't". There is definitely an air of arrogance to it.

You don't have to swear to make your point. Heck, some of George Carlin's funniest stuff was completely clean! Like "A place for my stuff" and "Baseball and football". Not a swear word to be found.

 

[Mudd]

It makes even less sense that they'd speak formal English from half a century ago, which is what Trek made standard by continually imitating the style of the 60s show.

One TNG script editor called it "the stilted Star Trek language."

Seriously, a show about naval officers is hardly complete without swearing.

 

[Newt]

Seriously, a show about naval officers is hardly complete without swearing.

Well Starfleet is not really a navy.

 

[fireproof78]

Well Starfleet is not really a navy.

It's a combined service.

I also found it strange that in Lower Decks the characters speak in current day slang. I know it's a lighthearted comedic show but when you hear people in other NuTrek shows speaking normally it really doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

TOS used 60s slang.

 

[Mudd]

Well Starfleet is not really a navy.

It's exactly a navy.

 

[CoveTom]

It's exactly a navy.

It is a 24th century navy. How sailors in the navies of 2025 speak is rather irrelevant.

 

[Newt]

It's exactly a navy.

It may heavily borrow navy motifs, being it rank or submarine warfare in TWOK etc
Just as much NASA than the navy.

 

[fireproof78]

It is a 24th century navy. How sailors in the navies of 2025 speak is rather irrelevant.

Except in the 23rd century and using 60s era phrases is acceptable.

 

[Newt]

Except in the 23rd century and using 60s era phrases is acceptable.

What 60's phrases are you referring to?

 

[fireproof78]

What 60's phrases are you referring to?

"In s pig's eye" is my favorite.

Though in my reviewing transcripts I discovered that Spock uses "a freak of nature," a phrase that has its origins in the 16th century. How odd.

 

[Newt]

'In a pigs eye' is an old American English phase. Predates the 1960's
England has the 'pigs might fly' as a similar phrase.

 

[HotRod]

'In a pigs eye' is an old American English phase. Predates the 1960's
England has the 'pigs might fly' as a similar phrase.

I think the point is that during TOS, the crew of the Enterprise spoke in the same manner as 1960s Americans. Though obviously under the microscope of 1960s standards and practices for television.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Exactly.

The F-word is overrated. Using it in Trek just gives the impression that "hey, look at us, we're so modern, we're so cutting edge, we're better than you because we swear and you don't". There is definitely an air of arrogance to it.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how using a word that has been in common usage since the year 1475 equates to either "modern" or "cutting edge". It's how people speak. It's how people spoke over 500 years ago, and I see no reason why it will change in the next 500.

The F-Word: Tracing the Origins and Evolution of “Fuck”

Ever wondered where that controversial four-letter word came from? I mean, we’ve all said (or at least thought) it at some point right…

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The objections to its usage has always come from equally ancient, puritanical pearl-clutching over people objecting to other people engaging in sexual intercourse without their permission or that of their God.

Honestly, it's entirely possible by the 24th century that no one will really care about that word anymore. As Uhura said, "we no longer fear words", and it would be far from the first swear word to lose its taboo status.

 

[fireproof78]

'In a pigs eye' is an old American English phase. Predates the 1960's
England has the 'pigs might fly' as a similar phrase.

I think the point is that during TOS, the crew of the Enterprise spoke in the same manner as 1960s Americans. Though obviously under the microscope of 1960s standards and practices for television.

What @HotRod said. People objecting to a phrase or word then ignoring other colloquial language is a double standard. I'll amend my initial point of any slang within Star Trek and not just 60s though I'm sure some occurred.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how using a word that has been in common usage since the year 1475 equates to either "modern" or "cutting edge". It's how people speak. It's how people spoke over 500 years ago, and I see no reason why it will change in the next 500.

The F-Word: Tracing the Origins and Evolution of “Fuck”

Ever wondered where that controversial four-letter word came from? I mean, we’ve all said (or at least thought) it at some point right…

medium.com

The objections to its usage has always come from equally ancient, puritanical pearl-clutching over people objecting to other people engaging in sexual intercourse without their permission or that of their God.

Honestly, it's entirely possible by the 24th century that no one will really care about that word anymore. As Uhura said, "we no longer fear words", and it would be far from the first swear word to lose its taboo status.

Also this.

It seems to be deliberately ignoring the actual history and use of the word in favor of only seeing it through a contemporary lens to create an objection.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The objections to its usage has always come from equally ancient, puritanical pearl-clutching over people objecting to other people engaging in sexual intercourse without their permission or that of their God.

Careful, buddy.

Let me rephrase. I guess I don't have a problem with the word, as such. As long as it's realistic.

For example, a grizzled chief engineer going "It's gonna take hours to get these fuckin' engines back on line" - well, that's not so bad. But Tilly's line about (and I'm paraphrasing) "It's not just cool, it's FUCKING cool" just seemed way too forced and artificial.

 

[Newt]

I don't see how using a word that has been in common usage since the year 1475 equates to either "modern" or "cutting edge". It's how people speak. It's how people spoke over 500 years ago, and I see no reason why it will change in the next 500.

Well yes that may be true.
Truth be told I believe English speaking people be using it beyond the 23rd century.

Think we're looking at this wrong. It's not about an in universe explanation. Or even saying Star Trek should reflect its time its written in terms of dialogue.
It's about a standard of actable language for many who consider as a family show. Don't mean to do the 'will somebody think of the children' speech lol but ah well.

The argument of that we all swear in real life, so lets stick it in doesn't completely wash.
We all have sex at some point in our lives, does that mean we should include scenes of a graphic sexual nature?
By the same logic we all poop, but why haven't we seen to my knowledge a toilet. Never seen Worf playing candy crush on the potty lol

 

[Turtletrekker]

Careful over what?

Honestly, Tiliy's "this is so fucking cool" is how I would use the word more often than this effing this or that effing that or who's effing who.

 

[Turtletrekker]

It's about a standard of actable language for many who consider as a family show. Don't mean to do the 'will somebody think of the children' speech lol but ah well.

Well, we all have our own opinions on what Star Trek should or shouldn't be, and Roddenberry certainly would want to appeal to all ages as much as possible, but he never treated the property as a Saturday morning cartoon either (well, except that one time). Some of the language used in the original series was considered shocking by the standards of its time, and the outfits that the women wore were considered risque and shocking ("Tits in Space!") This was an era where It was considered controversial to show a woman's navel. In other words, he was "modern" and "cutting edge".

Now Rick Berman, on the other hand, he went for the Saturday morning cartoon approach for the most part and that's because he cared much more about what the studio thought than Gene did. Gene, on the other hand wanted Betazoids to have three boobs and the Ferengi sexual organ to essentially be a third leg before having to be talked down.

 

[CoveTom]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how using a word that has been in common usage since the year 1475 equates to either "modern" or "cutting edge". It's how people speak. It's how people spoke over 500 years ago, and I see no reason why it will change in the next 500.

You know what's really weird about this conversation? I feel like people involved in the two sides of the debate live in different worlds. Perhaps Worf has crossed some area of space that broke down the barriers between quantum realities?

I don't think I live an unusual life. Yet the number of times I hear the f-bomb in everyday conversation? Almost zero. Seriously. Personal life. Professional life. All of it. Nada. People just don't use it on a regular basis. Yes, sometimes people -- including me -- will use it for emphasis in a certain circumstance. But that is the exception, not the norm. This idea that everyone is just throwing around f-bombs all the time is not the world I live in.

 

[Tuskin38]

"It's not just cool, it's FUCKING cool" just seemed way too forced and artificial.

Nah they way she used it was natural. Remember she's a young cadet.

Also the exchange is:

TILLY: You guys, this is so fucking cool. I'm so sorry.
STAMET: No, Cadet. It is fucking cool.

FYI, something I found out trying to find the exchange, Chakoteya's transcript site now has every episode of Discovery, Lower Decks and Picard. Nothing for Prodigy or SNW yet