Why are wordy dirts bad?

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B

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
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I'm not talking about here on the forums. I mean EVERYWHERE.

The middle finger, too. Seems kind of ridiculous to me.

Why create words that are immediately just taboo? I mean, were these words that commoners used, and the aristocracy of the old days just decided they were 'above' saying such things?

Enlighten me!
 
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Tauren

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2001
3,880
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Language needs explatives for situations where an individual wants to express more than average disgust, anger, fear, etc.


IMO
 
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ArkAoss

Banned
Aug 31, 2000
5,437
0
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Well they didn't really start bad. Some I think, developed ok, and derailed into badness. Others have gained bad conotations.
Like the cat word. When your little, you might say it; then when you get older and learn the other meaning, ehh.....
 
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yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
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Balt,

I asked the same thing once. I never did get a good answer. Some words can be good or bad based on their context.
 
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Tauren

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2001
3,880
1
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Society dictates that. we as a collective decided to label certain inappropriate.
 
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Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
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<<Some words can be good or bad based on their context.>>

True, but some are considered bad in any context as well.


<<Society dictates that. we as a collective decided to label certain inappropriate.>>

Kind of like we don't know what good is without labeling something as bad? I thought you didn't have anything philosophical to say. :p :p :p
 
Azraele

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
29
91
In a way, that's just how things developed. Some things are just taboo.

You'd need to find a book on the history of language to get a good answer to your question though.
 
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Dedpuhl

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
10,370
0
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:)

Below me buck futter

;)

They are just words. Remember: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me...or something like that...
 
B

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
126
SackOfAllTrades,

That is the best idea I've heard in a while! :D :D :D

Come on, peeps, let's get some ideas going. Buck Futter is a little too obvious. We don't want any knockoffs, we need a completely new obscene word! ;)

If you're offended, just think of it as a etymological study!
 
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Tauren

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2001
3,880
1
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Dedpuhl - Think it goes: &quot;sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me. Of course I will still kick the crap out of you, on principle.&quot;

At least I think it goes like that.
 
B

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
126
Good point. I think we would be better remembered for turning a good word into a bad one.

So we know what grapes are now. :D

Anyone else?
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Ever listen to George Carlin?

Certain words are bad because somebody told us that they are bad. The problem is that two different words can have the same context, but one of them is vulgar, crude, dirty, ect.

For instance - defecate isn't bad, but taking a $#!+ is.

Fornicating is okay to say on TV, but if say that those two are f*%king, then you are saying naughty words.

Other oddities are such as this - In a PG-13 movie you can accidently jam your toe against a door and scream F*#K!!!!. But - in that same movie, if one of the actors says to an actress let's go upstairs and f*#k, then you've just received an 'R' rating.

 
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palad

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2000
1,586
0
0
Not that it has much to do with the original question, but I remember a quote from Lincoln (sorry, I don't have it verbatim at the moment) to the effect that foul language was only for those who did not have the intelligence or vocabulary to find some other way to express themselves.

I also remember a letter sent to the army from General Washington stating that cursing was becoming commonplace among the soldiers and that he hoped his officers would remain apart from such a vile habit. I do have the exact text of this, but it's at home right now. I never have the books I want when I want them. :)

Just thought I'd toss these out for whatever historical significance they may have.
 
H

Handle

Senior member
Oct 16, 1999
551
0
0
Different languages have different words which tend to be used as swears. In English, swear words tend to be... um... bodily functions and body parts. In French, I believe they tend to be of a religious nature. I'm sure others can fill in for the other languages.

The only thing that makes a word &quot;bad&quot; is simply its denotation and connotation. There is nothing inherently bad about any certain set of linked sounds produced.
 
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