I don’t get it. These words restrict what can be on TV and radio. They change the ratings of games and movies. We go through all this effort to keep these words hidden away from our children, even though the second they hit school they are going to pick them up from another kid most likely.
Why is it that we treat these words like black sheep?
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Raising a child as a non-religious person has me trying to explain really stupid concepts about complete horse shit. Mental gymnastics in his brain is amusing to watch at least.
The word “fuck” has a complex and somewhat obscure history, partly due to its nature as a profanity, which meant it was often excluded from written records. However, linguists and historians have pieced together some of its history. The word is thought to have Germanic origins, with connections to Dutch, German, and Swedish languages, where similar words exist with meanings related to striking, moving back and forth, or having sexual intercourse.
The first known recorded use of “fuck” in English comes from a satirical poem written in 1475, where it is disguised in a coded form. The usage of the word in literature was rare due to censorship and the word’s offensive nature, leading to its omission from many official texts and dictionaries.
In Middle English, the word appeared in various forms, such as “fuccant” (a Latin form), and it is thought to have been used in speech much earlier than it appeared in written texts. The word’s meanings and connotations have evolved over time, but it has consistently been considered vulgar and offensive in polite conversation.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, “fuck” has become somewhat more accepted in certain contexts, particularly in artistic, literary, and media circles, though it remains a strong profanity. The word’s versatility as a verb, noun, adjective, and in various compound forms contributes to its widespread use in English. Its history reflects broader societal attitudes towards language, censorship, and what is considered acceptable in public discourse.
The word “fuck” is notably versatile in the English language, used in various grammatical categories and with a wide range of meanings and emphases. Here are some of its common uses:
1. **Verb (Transitive and Intransitive)**: Originally to refer to sexual intercourse, but can also express anger, disdain, or intensity.
– Example: “They fucked all night” or “He really fucked up this time.”
2. **Noun**: Referring to the act of sexual intercourse or, more broadly, as a term for someone or something one dislikes.
– Example: “I don’t give a fuck” or “He’s a stupid fuck.”
3. **Adjective**: To emphasize or describe something with intensity, often conveying negativity.
– Example: “This is fucking ridiculous.”
4. **Adverb**: To emphasize the action or adjective it modifies, similar to “very” or “extremely.”
– Example: “It’s fucking cold outside.”
5. **Interjection**: As an exclamation to express anger, surprise, or frustration.
– Example: “Fuck! I forgot my keys.”
6. **Idiomatic Expressions**: Used within a variety of phrases that convey different emotions or directives, like frustration, dismissal, or indifference.
– Example: “Fuck off” (to go away), “Fuck up” (to make a mistake), “Fuck with” (to mess with someone or something), or “I couldn’t give a fuck” (expressing indifference).
7. **Infixation**: Inserted into other words for emphasis, known as “expletive infixation.”
– Example: “Un-fucking-believable.”
Its usage can range from highly offensive to somewhat endearing, depending on the context, tone, and relationship between the people communicating. The word’s versatility and impact are also why it’s often used for shock value or to express strong emotions. However, it’s still considered inappropriate in formal contexts and can be offensive to many, so its use requires careful consideration of the social and cultural setting.
The word “fuck” is considered offensive for several reasons, deeply rooted in social, cultural, and historical contexts:
1. **Vulgarity and Taboo**: Historically, words associated with bodily functions, especially those related to sex and excretion, have been considered vulgar and inappropriate for polite conversation. “Fuck,” primarily associated with sexual intercourse, falls squarely into this category, making it taboo in many social settings.
2. **Religious and Moral Codes**: Many societies have moral codes influenced by religious teachings that regard certain topics, including sex, as private or sacred. Words like “fuck” that directly reference these topics can be seen as disrespectful or blasphemous, contributing to their negative connotation.
3. **Cultural Sensitivity**: The acceptability of language evolves with cultural norms and values. In many cultures, the explicit mention of sexual acts is considered impolite or crude, reinforcing the negative perception of the word.
4. **Power and Aggression**: The word “fuck” is often used to express anger, aggression, or disdain, which can make it seem inherently hostile or offensive. Its use can be perceived as an act of verbal aggression, making listeners uncomfortable.
5. **Historical Censorship**: The long history of censorship surrounding “fuck” has contributed to its status as a bad word. Because it was often excluded from dictionaries and polite literature for centuries, its usage was confined to less formal or underground contexts, reinforcing its association with rudeness or impropriety.
6. **Impact and Shock Value**: Due to its taboo nature, “fuck” carries a significant impact when used, often intended to shock or grab attention. This can make it seem disrespectful or inappropriate, especially in contexts where such a strong emotional response is unwelcome.
7. **Context and Intonation**: The way “fuck” is used can significantly affect its perception. It can be seen as more or less offensive depending on the speaker’s tone, the context of the conversation, and the relationship between the people involved.
Despite these factors, the perception and acceptability of “fuck” vary widely across different cultures, social groups, and generations. In some contexts, its use is less taboo or even commonplace, while in others, it remains highly offensive.
Every society holds certain things taboo, often revolving around sex and hygiene because these things are necessary to survival so there is an evolutionary advantage to maintaining a social order concerning these. Curse words are curses because they refer to taboo areas with irreverence and callousness. Our society is decadent enough that we think we can question everything and a lot of taboos have been dropped, but we still recognize certain social rituals in various contexts. If you talk at work the way you talk with your homies, you’re going to get fired.
If a word it’s perceived by the speaker and society to be taboo, it’s a swear word. In the French speaking province of Quebec, Canada, people have traditionally been ultra Catholic, but also not prudish about bodily functions, due to the frontier realities. So where a Parisian might exclaim “merde!”(shit), a Montrealer would say “calice!(chalice), or “tabernac!”(tabernacle).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_profanity
This varies a lot by culture. In my experience Yankees take them insanely fucking seriously for some reason, but in Argentina they’re much less taboo.
It’s honestly so perplexing to me that media will explicitly or implicitly portray violence, death, murder, rape, torture, and so on but will shy away from cursing.
Obligatory:
… Shit, fuck, satan, death, sex drugs, rape
These seven words you’re trying to take
Shit, fuck, satan, death, sex, drugs, rape
Right or wrong it’s our choice to make
America the beautiful, land of the free
Don’t change the words to land of hypocrisy
— Anthrax, Startin Up a Posse
In the US, this a throwback from our british “class system” roots. Most of these words have vulgar connotations because high born gentlemen and ladies didn’t use them, only the low born poor did. So to use them gave you the appearance of being low class. When radio became popular efforts were made to avoid offending the upper classes who helped sustain the business model and a law was written prohibiting the broadcasting of obscene, indecent, or profane content.
That law still exists and many of the “forbidden” words are unacceptable for television censors because they have sexual connotations (descriptive of genitalia or sex acts)
the censors are particularly strict with the broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) because their content is public and not restricted by a paywall like cable or satellite is. So if viewers object to their content, they cannot simply unsubscribe like they could a cable channel.
I’ve always heard it’s a carryover from social classes. Swear words were the vernacular of peasants and lower class people, so it was “bad” to say them because that makes you a peasant. Could be wrong though.
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