Why are ''BAD'' words bad?

[Amaris]

I very rarely swear anymore. But if I happen to hurt myself around my own kids, like stubbing my toe, I literally start sounding like Yosemite Sam. I don't want to swear, but I gotta yell *something*!

Next time you do something like that, try yelling "Fraggle Rock!"
You will ease the tension and introduce your children to genuine nostalgic television.


J.

 

[cultcross]

On the other hand, in Inside Man, when the politician calls the Jodie Foster character a 'magnificent cunt' it didn't work on so many levels that her 'thank you' response was as cringe-makingly awkward as the first statement. Sometimes you just have to use common sense.

I often find in American movies swearing doesn't seem to come as naturally as in British movies, it some how feels force or uncomfortable.
I don't know whether it's the actors, directors, bad scripting or what, but I often find British films take swearing so much lighter and it feels more natural... Could be the accent I suppose.

Agreed - I think it might be something to do with the fact that we are quite used to British people swearing - we're immersed in Britain in real life. But a lot of our exposure to American dialogue is on TV, where the censors have got a hold of it if it aired before 11pm and it's free of all swearwords. thus when we see something similar in a higher rated movie or something and they're turning the air blue it feels a bit.. out of place.
For example, after watching 10 years of very 'gosh golly wow' Stargate where you knew you were in trouble if they pulled out the 'for crying out loud', we get the direct-to-DVD movies where the characters are dropping random swearwords into the dialogue, because they can, and it felt really forced.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

On the other hand, in Inside Man, when the politician calls the Jodie Foster character a 'magnificent cunt' it didn't work on so many levels that her 'thank you' response was as cringe-makingly awkward as the first statement. Sometimes you just have to use common sense.

I often find in American movies swearing doesn't seem to come as naturally as in British movies, it some how feels force or uncomfortable.
I don't know whether it's the actors, directors, bad scripting or what, but I often find British films take swearing so much lighter and it feels more natural... Could be the accent I suppose.

Agreed - I think it might be something to do with the fact that we are quite used to British people swearing - we're immersed in Britain in real life. But a lot of our exposure to American dialogue is on TV, where the censors have got a hold of it if it aired before 11pm and it's free of all swearwords. thus when we see something similar in a higher rated movie or something and they're turning the air blue it feels a bit.. out of place.
For example, after watching 10 years of very 'gosh golly wow' Stargate where you knew you were in trouble if they pulled out the 'for crying out loud', we get the direct-to-DVD movies where the characters are dropping random swearwords into the dialogue, because they can, and it felt really forced.

I don't know. I spent a month in America with a friend and hearing people swear there didn't seem odd, hearing them swear in the Stargate DVD movies did feel out of place with those characters, but I'm not sure it felt forced. And shows like Dexter it doesn't feel forced... I guess it just seems like some movies pepper the swear words in there not in an appropriate way, and just because they can.
Rather than feeling like banter, or real reactions, it feels more like the actors are more like "Jeez do I have to say this?"

I guess I'd probably down to the writing or direction, because it seems more like the actor doesn't believe it, there for it doesn't sound right, more than anything.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

As a "racer and racing fan, "Rain" is the only four letter bad word I know,

 

[ThankQ]

I very rarely swear anymore. But if I happen to hurt myself around my own kids, like stubbing my toe, I literally start sounding like Yosemite Sam. I don't want to swear, but I gotta yell *something*!

Next time you do something like that, try yelling "Fraggle Rock!"
You will ease the tension and introduce your children to genuine nostalgic television.


J.

You know, I tried this. Got pissed at a guy and yelled "You fucking TrashHeap!"

Didn't get the same reaction as you.

 

[ThankQ]

its the negative connotation attached to them that makes them "bad"

there are usually better ways to present oneself, IMO, if you have to resort to "bad" words you have a limited vocabulary

I disagree. I have a rather comprehensive vocabulary, and at times I swear like a motherfucking sailor. The use of choice fricatives does not indicate one's grasp of their language skills.


J.

Yeah, sorry Brent, you've been terribly misinformed. Don't worry though, I've heard it before.

What gets me is that people don't realizing that saying "shoot" is THE EXACT SAME THING as saying "shit". Something goes wrong, you say "shoot" you're saying the exact same thing. It's the intent of the word that matters, not the word itself.

I mean, really, people now like to say "frack" and "friggin'". Frack, it's cold! Man, it's friggin' cold out there!

What are they saying? FUCK! It's fucking cold out there.

It is the intent that matters.

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

[
I mean, really, people now like to say "frack" and "friggin'". Frack, it's cold! Man, it's friggin' cold out there!

What are they saying? FUCK! It's fucking cold out there.

And what's wrong with 'gosh, it's a tad chilly out here'?

 

[ThankQ]

[
I mean, really, people now like to say "frack" and "friggin'". Frack, it's cold! Man, it's friggin' cold out there!

What are they saying? FUCK! It's fucking cold out there.

And what's wrong with 'gosh, it's a tad chilly out here'?

Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "My, it's really rather cold this evening."

 

[K'Ehleyr]

[
I mean, really, people now like to say "frack" and "friggin'". Frack, it's cold! Man, it's friggin' cold out there!

What are they saying? FUCK! It's fucking cold out there.

And what's wrong with 'gosh, it's a tad chilly out here'?

Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "My, it's really rather cold this evening."

Actually that wouldn't happen, if it was really cold we'd send the housemaid out.

 

[ThankQ]

And what's wrong with 'gosh, it's a tad chilly out here'?

Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "My, it's really rather cold this evening."

Actually that wouldn't happen, if it was really cold we'd send the housemaid out.

UPDATE: Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "I say, it's really rather cold this evenging. Margaret, leg it down to the store. And do fetch your coat! Smashing!"

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "My, it's really rather cold this evening."

Actually that wouldn't happen, if it was really cold we'd send the housemaid out.

UPDATE: Yes, if you're a posh Brit you can say, "I say, it's really rather cold this evenging. Margaret, leg it down to the store. And do fetch your coat! Smashing!"

Now you're getting the jist of it old boy! But 'tootle off to the shops' rather than 'leg it'

 

[miraclefan]

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

 

[RoJoHen]

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

I blame the Puritans for most things. I also blame Daylight Saving Time.

 

[miraclefan]

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

I blame the Puritans for most things. I also blame Daylight Saving Time.

Why don't we just go ahead and blame the REAL culprits here, THE JEWS!!!

 

[ThankQ]

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

Well, they really did fuck us up, did they not?

 

[miraclefan]

But we're so assbackward puritan about everything.

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

Well, they really did fuck us up, did they not?

I guess it depends on what your definition of the words ''f*** us up'' is, is.

 

[ThankQ]

It always goes back to the ''puritans'' with you, dosn't it?

Well, they really did fuck us up, did they not?

I guess it depends on what your definition of the words ''f*** us up'' is, is.

Filled us with lies around which we've based the very fabric of human existance.

 

[Brent]

Of course, we all have our own opinions, those were mine personally. I do not curse outloud in my daily life. My friends and family know this about me, I choose not to do it. Sure, I'll think bad words in my head like everyone, but I make a choice not to say them outloud, even if I slam my finger in a car door (which I have done before), like others, I sometimes make up my own words. I've often been heard saying "crapanoodle" heh, lately i've been saying "Oh fat rats"

 

[ThankQ]

Of course, we all have our own opinions, those were mine personally. I do not curse outloud in my daily life. My friends and family know this about me, I choose not to do it. Sure, I'll think bad words in my head like everyone, but I make a choice not to say them outloud, even if I slam my finger in a car door (which I have done before), like others, I sometimes make up my own words. I've often been heard saying "crapanoodle" heh, lately i've been saying "Oh fat rats"

And what, exactly, is the difference between saying it in your head and saying it outloud?

And what, exactly, is the difference between saying "crapnoodle" and "shitbrick"?

 

[Amaris]

Well, they really did fuck us up, did they not?

I guess it depends on what your definition of the words ''f*** us up'' is, is.

Filled us with lies around which we've based the very fabric of human existance.

That would be my definition, too.


J.