Words:What makes some different then others?

[mitchmcmichael offline]

I've been thinking...what makes swears different then any other word? "They offend people." So does the word "idiot" and "stupid." Why don't people freak out when a kid says idiot? I want to know what you think makes swears different then regular words.

[JesusFreak offline]

Well, there's a reason. The D-word used to be like dooming, the b-word is insulting to women because it relates them to a wolf or dog, and the f-word, well, it's kinda gross.

[Kamekai offline]

Actually, the word F*ck originated in the Middle Ages, meaning to stab or to pierce someone, usually in the chest. So we can all see how it developed into this. And pretty soon, 'stupide' and 'idiot' will be curse words too, for they are used so much. But by then, we will have new words to replace them.

[Stonecreek]

If swear words were normal, they would lose most of their emphasis and meaning. I'm all for using profanity, but keeping it a sparse thing as well. Makes no sense, huh?

[Gauntlet offline]

<s>Edit: I'm not actually sure why I posted here in the first place.</s>

[Overcaffeinated Sloth offline]

Yes, it's because those words are the uncreative extremes to say something is really bad. Most people, however, don't relaize this, and so they say it day in and day out, and when things are really bad, they have nothing left.

Causing you to scream out random things like Rubber Chicken. Hey, humor's usually better than profanity, unless it's profanic humor.

[Jeremified offline]

Cursing should be used sparingly, but it also shouldn't be so shocking.

[Mewberries151]

^^; I'm sure you guys saw this coming a mile away, and I hate to play the big bad Admin but...please do mind what you say on this thread, as it is currently on the open forum. (Not that any of you have done anything yet...I'm just posting a fore-warning. *sweatdrops* )

I would hate to see this moved to BKO as it is a very good discussion topic, but please be aware that kids (and their parents) watch this forum...and we don't want to lose anyone else (or get the forum into trouble).

Just keep it mature and responsible. Thanks! ^^


Anyway, as for my own opinion on words, particularly swear words and oaths, I'm of the opinion that American/English swears are generally crude...and really not very well thought out when you get right down to it. Other languages and cultures have some positively brilliant swears, oaths, and insults. Particularly the Eastern cultures.

At any rate, I suppose my point is that an insult, or any meaning of a word for that matter, is relevant only to the culture and/or society it's used in.

[Rail Runner offline]

I will just say this. Words that mean one thing to someone, could mean something very different to someone else. Not everyone feels the same way about a word or words for that matter. It depends on your personal life, and experiences as well.

[Darth Grale offline]

Swearing was just made so ppl could be dirtier in their conversations.

[MY85 offline]

Swearing was just made so ppl could be dirtier in their conversations.

Why have you come into my world?

[JesusFreak offline]

Reality always strikes us wen we least expect it....

[MY85 offline]

*bump* Hope this is legal...

Sometime, words become curse words when their meaning becomes culturally unacceptable.

B*stard: Illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
Gay: Someone of homosexual orientation.
Sh*t: It was originally a term for "poop", but is there anyone out there who wants to be referred to as "poop"?
F*ck: Based on the general taboo of sex.

[Kamekai offline]

Swear words to me are simply exaggerated emphasis. I don't use them for the sake of it, I use them when I can't find a better word of emphasis.