Strange, isn't it, how some people will find this offensive? Strange how I can't type the word f*ck, but I can type fukc, fcuk, fook, or any other combination you can think of. Strange how I can type FFS, yet reading it out loud you'd probably read it out as 'for f*cks sake' and not 'eff eff ess'. Strange how you can call Richard 'Dick' whithout offense yet it is likely to annoy Paul. I can't think of a single person under 30 that I know who does not swear regularly - yet it's STILL offensive and indeed able to get you some time in a policemans company. WHY? As the child in the photo above says, It's Just Words.... the crazy thing is, if swearwords were classed as normal words for a month, we'd never have swearwords ever again. (",) Note on the photo : Yeah, it's a quick and easy photo, I've relied on the impact of the realism of it rather than postwork or presentation. I've got another pic in mind which I'll spend a little time on ;-) But see? I can do it! ROFLMAO

And the thumb. (",)

Brilliant entry, Mike!! Verbal and non-verbal communication is indeed a social issue, although i never really thought of it as such until now.

Yes, this gesture that cute little girl is making, IS considered to be offensive in some places around the world. I can't remember what that gesture is supposed to mean in other places, but where i'm from it means "peace." I think in some other countries it has a sexual meaning??? wish i could remember, but we did discuss this in one of my communication classes in college.

there are some other gestures that are controversial depending on where you use them. wish i could remember them.

As for curse words....you're right. some find it offensive and some don't. And it is funny how we can say f_ck and that's "ok." Verbally, we can say, "I'm freakin' mad" but not "fu_king mad." words and gestures...yep they're just that, but they can get you fired from your job and get you in trouble in other ways.

I've been using the "F" word since my early 20's. I really would like to stop using it, and have been trying to break myself of it.

Does it make me a morally worse person to use the "F" word?

And it makes me wonder why swearing is considered to be wrong. Does it have to do with religion, something in the Bible, or what?

I'm a Christian, and let me tell you, you sure don't hear the "F" word used at church. And i certainly don't say it around my parents and family.

It's considered socially unacceptable around Christians.

At the restaurant where i work, well, just about everyone says it...even our managers; however, if we say it and get caught we can lose our job. Kemal got written up for saying the F word about 9 months ago and told he would be fired if he was heard saying it again.

anyway, i find this entry quite thought provoking and interesting to discuss. I do seriously wonder if using the "F" word makes me somehow not so good on the moral scale. I use it all the time. I guess that must mean i'm not really a good person??? dunno. all i know is Sheila has a potty mouth, and Christian or not, i still keep usin' that word.

You give me much to think about, Mike!! Thanks!!! And yes, you CAN do it!!!! :)

Message edited on: 03/07/2005 16:49

Great idea for the challenge, and some very good points. I do swear and dont deny it, however as many of these sites and forums are used by families, it is in the best interest if the hosts to not allow it, so no one can be alienated, nor can they leave themselves open to legal proceedings. So the story goes the V sigh goes way back in history to when the French cavalry cut off the bow fingers of the English archers, so that they could not fire arrows. So in response to this, the English archers used to do the V sigh at the French cavalry and then fire the arrows at them. Thankfully those days are gone and we can hopefully be more civil to one another. And that makes it a great social issue photo. Where the Bird (one fingered salute) comes from I have no idea, but is seems to originate from the US? Hope my spelling is ok tonight he he.

So you got you daughter to make peace birdy signs hunh. If she was in LA it could be the W for WEST SIDE! All this time I thought is was the peace sign. Totally redifignes those web sites I've been too. Bsteph

Fornicating Under Concent of the King. That is where the term came from. Most words that are listed as Offensive start that way. Another example is Ship High In Transit. This was because Methane gas would build up in the hull of a ship and if someone had a lamp... BOOM! If you Ship High In Transit the venalation was better and less chance of Boom! Context. Its all about Context. Magick Michael

Interesting subject.Imformative now too. Mike... There is a neighbour close by here whose name is Richard Head....so you can guess what his school buds called him.No lie

added

I too swear when I'm really angry at something otherwise I don't! I don't see the point of being so verbally aggressive!! And I think ur entry is perfect for the challenge since over here in England, these bloody rude bratts are definitely a HUGE social issue!!

Shee, swearing doesn't make you a bad person. Doing bad thhings makes you a bad person. LP, you took the wind from my sails ;-) I was gonna tell everyone where it came from too... LOL I guess that's why the foreigners aren't as used to seeing it as we are. Bri, over here that is swearing - with the fingers the other way around (ie. fingerprints showing) it's peace. Michael, we must read the same books and web sites ;-) Tibby, they're only 'rude brats' because of the way they use the words, not because of thewords themselves. My kids know they can get away with swearing to an extent, but they also know that's only in private. They have also realised the importance of not using such words in public. Let's face it, when they learn words from their peers (or more commonly, their parents) they're going to use them. I'd rather they knew the boundaries of when to use them and when not to. Thanks to all for your comments. (",)

FFS - Damn computer at work logged me in as JordyArt still..... bloody thing obviously didn't read my post about name change.... tch (",)

Yeah, so I'm a potty mouth.... got a problem with that??? ;~)

she looks like a toughie, great issue Mike... out of the mouths of babes :]

Miky ;P They're not only rude because they swear but because of their actions too! They insult people in the streets, they're aggressive and abusive! I see them everyday, wandering the streets, spitting on the ground, being verbaly abusive! The parents are responsible of course and when I hear a man telling to "sod off" to his 1 year old kid, I'm totally shocked! They can't say one sentence without using "fuck" every 2 words!! I can't listen to people who speak like that! I'm not even interested! I'm not saying they're bad, don't get me wrong, I'm just saying that to me swearing is an aggressive behaviour and certainly doesn't suit my ears! ;) They probably have been brought up this way and are unable to express themselves in a "proper" way, maybe thinking they can't get their point accross if they don't swear? Kinda sad really! I think this is definitely a serious social issue!

Michelle, funny you should say that, there was a very amusing article in our tabloid yesterday about a man who got caught trying to siphon petrol from a motorhome by disconnecting the fuel pipe. Unfortuntaly he got the wrong pipe and ended up with a mouthful of sewage.... THAT's a potty mouth! Cyn, You be darn right - little spud is an Orange belt in karate and has sussed out that hitting a guy in the nads hurts plenty.... as I found out in the middle of a shop last week..... Tibby, ah, now what you are describing sounds like Charva's.... Burberry caps? Tracksuits? Elizabeth Duke jewellery? "How, mista, gizza tab..... wotya mean ye diven't smoke? Ah'll just gan back tiv school, then, me mates'll have some" Yeah. They're so difficult to insult properly, coz you know they have no idea how bad what you're calling them really is..... I do beleive that when these lifeforms have matured they move to Scotland and eat battered Mars bars...... that right aangus?!? snigger (",)

LOL!! I didn't understand half of that Miky but the end of the message is surely hilarious! Poor Scotland though, as long as they don't settle in the Highlands, I don't care! ;)

Oh and yes, they ARE the ones I'm talking about! :)

I use this sign all the time, whilst I'm out driving.Why do people get so upset, I'm just so proud of my V6 engine.

ROFL..... V6.... Right, I'll remember that next time a little Fiat gives me a V sign...... (",)

Friggin' A1 Challenge...aye!

Great thoughts and image, I totally frellin agree! Frak it all!