The Use Of Expletives...

[Louis P. Burns aka Lugh]

The Use Of Expletives

There was a show went out in the summer of this year on BBC2 where the history of words was explored, how they came about, their various meanings etc. I can't remember the name of the show but Germaine Greer was taxed with researching the word 'cunt'. I found Greer's approach to this theme both funny and serious because she delved into the misconceptions we have about it and many of the myths that surround it. I also have a lot of respect for Germaine Greer and read some of her books as a young male growing up in a single parent home (my folks split up).

I frequently use the word 'cunt', both in my writing and everyday usage. I also use 'bastard', 'bollocks / bollix', 'dickhead', 'fanny', 'fuckwit', 'knob-jockey' and 'wanker'. I'm curious, what are other members opinions on these words? Do you find them offensive or like me, do you find yourself muttering them when agitated as a way to describe annoying people or situations? Oh, I also use them when describing the weather over here in Northern Ireland which is frequently a 'fucker'.

I admit that I do attempt to control my use of these words around young people, my mum and my sister...

[spacecadet]

Sorry Lugh, but I really have to put my foot down.

I find the use of the words "G*rmaine Gr**r" highly offensive. I plead with you to see sense and edit your own post before I report you to your ISP.



I think I remember seeing this on T.V. If my memory serves me right GG and a load of other posh middle age ladies were sat around a table using the "C" word left, right and centre.

I found it disturbingly arousing.

[Louis P. Burns aka Lugh]

Sorry Lugh, but I really have to put my foot down.

I find the use of the words "G*rmaine Gr**r" highly offensive. I plead with you to see sense and edit your own post before I report you to your ISP.

Bastard. I most certainly will not! I'll get my Mum to you ..!

"When I am King you will be first against the wall."

I think I remember seeing this on T.V. If my memory serves me right GG and a load of other posh middle age ladies were sat around a table using the "C" word left, right and centre.

I found it disturbingly arousing.

So did I and I immediately ran to the toilet and 'de-stressed' in tradition fashion . Christ! What would GG think of blokes having a hand-shandy while picturing her in lesbian flings? Be great if we could invite her onto here and find out...

[psikottix]

Ah, the debate about language! Always a contraversial subject.

Different people take words in different ways. In america (i use a lowercase "a" habitually, by the way, as I have little respect for the nation) the word "cunt " is considered highly offensive. In Australia, on the other hand, it is used almost as a term of endearment. I tend to use it a lot, more often in the Australian manner, but sometimes because i feel it sums up the contempt I feel for some things. New Labour, for instance!

I don't really think of swear words as "bad language". "Innit" is, to me, an example of true bad language. Expletives can and do add emotional intensity to a phrase. "It's exceptionally cold" does not sound as cold as "it's fucking cold".

I DO try and moderate my language when children are present. Not so much because I don't want them to copy me (they will use it anyway), but more because they don't, generally, know when to use it.

Also, I have found from experience, that supposedly softer words can be more offensive. I have recently had more of a reaction from calling someone a slapper than I have ever had from calling someone a cunt!

And possibly the most offensive single word that can be said to anyone is, according to my field research, LIAR! - Which is not in any way a "swear word"!

Ultimately, all these words exist for a reason, and they DO add a lot of depth to otherwise innocuous phraseology. I'm all for them!!!

[spacecadet]

This is the quickest we have ever reached agreement on a debate thread. So to sum it up....

1. It's more fun to call someone a "flange" than a c**t.
2. Swearing should be used on special occasions such as describing the prime minister.
3. Both Dave and Lugh like to hear middle age "Prim" talk dirty.