English Profanity

[TakerFoxx]

I never really got English swear words. I mean, yes, I can understand that there are certain words that you don't use in polite company and can be inherently offensive. What I don't get is how the tier system is set up.

For example: those at the top of the tier are words associated with sex and excrement. Perfectly normal bodily function. Big deal. Okay, yeah, they can be gross and probably not something you want to discuss in a formal setting. But just saying "fuck" or "shit" will get your movie rating bumped up a whole level. "Shit" is especially baffling. It just means poop. Why is that such a naughty word? For that matter, what difference does it make if you use a different that means the same thing? "Fuck" or "screw"? "Shit" or "crap"? "Piss" or "whiz"? The meaning are identical, but the specific words mean the difference between a PG or a PG-13/R rating.

And at the bottom are the words associated with religion. This is especially confusing, as whether or not you believe in God, you can't deny that religion has had a huge influence in western culture, especially during the time where these swear words originated. So why is it that taking the Lord's name in vain (which, depending on your interpretation, has its own Commandment) or invoking the powers of Hell somehow less offensive than naming human waste or reproduction? Granted, actually saying Jesus's name bumps it up a notch, but there's plenty of family movies that get away with "Oh my God" and "Damn it!" and "Oh hell" and whatnot.

My theory: our profanity ranking is leftover from when there was a sharper class divide, and words having to do with sex and excrement were considered "common talk" and therefore avoided by those of a higher station, whereas words having to do with religion were more universal and thus were freely employed by the upper and lower class alike.

That's just me hypothesizing though. So, what the fuck is up with these goddamned swear words making no fucking sense?

 

[Zontar]

Profanity is an interesting part of any language. Here in Quebec our French swearing is almost entirely limited to English words that have been taken for use (though even the worst English swear is considered below the milder French ones), and the actual French words are almost all religious in origin and what sets the level of profanity appart is how long the chain you form with them is (I've both myself and seen others run out of breath with how long a swear chain we've done in the past, worst was when my idiot brother ran over my foot with his bicycle).

 

[Mezahmay]

I'm not so sure that it's to do with class divides or anything. It probably wasn't that uncommon even a few decades ago (and still today based on your household) to get a smack for being blasphemous by saying "God damn it" or even non-expletives like "Jesus Christ" when used in an exclamatory fashion. I recently read a book about ideas and marketing that covered a phenomenon they called "semantic stretch". This is when a word is exploited to the point of losing its meaning and emotional impact. They examples they used were why slang is generational and the concept of sportsmanship, but I feel this concept applies here as well.

As religion's influence waned the freedom to use religious terminology became less taboo. Nothing has occurred in English/American culture to make other swears like "fuck" or "shit" lose their impact as much. I feel that will change fairly soon now that the kids are growing up with the internet and watching content creatures who are adult using "adult" terminology. As kids grow up with these words in their vernacular the taboo will probably lower and new words may be elevated to their former status. I hope the concept of polite conversation is kept intact and their use should remain in casual company. Adults today already use these swear words in place of adjectives or adverbs or nouns too frequently as it is. The English language doesn't deserve to be underserved that badly.

 

[L. Declis]

I think your profanities are out of date.

Like people have said, religion used to be the swear words. Then we moved to the more sexual. But after the sexual liberation, it has been getting soft. But what are the things that are now truly shocking and insulting to hear?

Nigga. *****. Paki. Spic. Cumskin.
Raghead. Kike.
******. Slut. Dyke.

In the time of political correctness, attacking race, sexuality or religion is the most profane thing you can say.

That said, if the worst you can think of is that, you're not very creative. I once heard an insult which genuinely made me think "harsh".

"If I wanted a grandchild I would scrap together all of your mistakes and knit it a onesie." - Malory Archer

 

[cathou]

Profanity is an interesting part of any language. Here in Quebec our French swearing is almost entirely limited to English words that have been taken for use (though even the worst English swear is considered below the milder French ones), and the actual French words are almost all religious in origin and what sets the level of profanity appart is how long the chain you form with them is (I've both myself and seen others run out of breath with how long a swear chain we've done in the past, worst was when my idiot brother ran over my foot with his bicycle).

and of course, you cannot mention swearing in french canadian, without thinking of that great scene in Québec movie history...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U72QVCgh_Q