major tom

[grego]

I dont like to hear people swearing, dont think there's any need for it, nearly brought this subject up myself as yesterday picking my 4 yr old up from school one of the other mothers, sat talking to her friend and every other word was the F word she even said the C word, I know they're only words but it sounded disgusting.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

If they were being boisterous & invading your personal space then fair enough, but some people need to get a grip about this 'swearing' lark. It's only words!

'Swearing' is one of the most daft concepts in the English language.
It's absurd the way people take so much offence at it.

Shaker, we all have things that we find offensive...and while they are only words, I DO find them offensive, because it is an indication that people do not respect my presence. I can understand swearing in an all male environment...or if you hit your thumb with a hammer...or if you are really, really angry about something and need to let off some steam......but to swear in the presence of women who you do not know - well I just find it offensive. I also think it shows a distinct lack of linguistic ability.
And it will ONLY become an acceptable part of everyday life if we choose to ACCEPT it - I do not.

[Margaret Pilkington]

and to swear in front of impressionable children is unforgivable because it makes them think it is 'the' grown up thing to do. It isn't big and it isn't clever.

[steeljack]

I don't remember it being that long ago when it used to be an offence , and the police would run you in for it , think the charge was "use of indecent language in public" guess they have have different priorities these days

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee

...but it really bothers me when I have to hear the f word, especially from little kids. When I do, I tell em to watch their language and they most always are respectful and apologize. Many of our friends will do the same with the same result.

I'm sorry LYY, but I believe that to be totally intrusive behaviour on your part. Like I said before, if these people are invading your personal space and making normal conversation impossible for you then by all means ask them to keep it down, but you can't go around telling people what words not to use just because you find them offensive, no one is any better than anyone else.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I certainly would not dream of telling anyone how to behave in public - I would hope that they would afford me the common decency and respect of not having to listen to foul mouthed language...it appears that the people who use this kind of language could whisper over three fields...Sheffield, Huddersfield and Chesterfield...and for the uninitiated, that means they talk rather loudly.

[steeljack]

Best rule to gauge if language is suitable , ask yourself would you use it in front of your Mother or Grandmother, the answer is probably No , so don't use it infront of someone elses Mother or Grandmother , if you answered yes , then in my opinion you are nothing more than a sorry a**ed punk whos 'personal space' would be a five mile stretch of highway pushing a broom and picking up litter.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Steeljack, that is an excellent rule of thumb. I wish more people would use it.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

It does seem to be a lot worse everywhere these days.

Not really ... I think that using obscene lang in public is cyclical and cultural ... well in a sub-cultural way. I remember when the Everly Bros. song "Wake Up Little Suzy" was banned, probably in Boston. And now, a song can begin "C***sucker, Motherf***er, Dirty F***ing Ho" and be an instant hit (maybe I should write it myself). Some of the rankest porn pictures come from the Victorian era, a time when there were more hos in London than there are now. For a good read in filthy poetry, read Rochester; I particularly recommend "A Ramble in St. James' Park." And Chaucer. Among the young, swearing may be a sign of rebellion, like clothes, and body piercing.

If a person's language offends, tell him/her to "shut the f**k up." I remember my grandad saying to my gran when she heard someone swear: "Ee luv, better hear that than be deef."

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by Eric

"Ee luv, better hear that than be deef."

Never heard a truer word

The old fashioned among us seem to only see a black and white situation here; it's either be a yob shouting obscenities from the back of a bus, or be Cliff Richard.

I have now said twice that I do not condone in any way abusing people with any form of language (well, maybe the odd referee). However I do believe that stripping people of their right to use whichever form of language they want to express themselves with is fundamentally wrong.

It worked a treat for Chaucer and Wilde and it'll do just fine for me.

[West Ender]

It's just a shame that so many people, these days, are so vocabularily challenged that they have to punctuate every sentence with several "F words". It's gratuitous and, initially, was intended to shock.

As for Chaucer and Wilde, I can't remember either using impoverished language as a matter of course. To misquote Lady Bracknell, "To lose one f***ing parent may be f***ing regarded as a f***ing misfortune. To f***ing lose both is f***ing carelessness." It doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by West Ender

As for Chaucer and Wilde, I can't remember either using impoverished language as a matter of course.

One must get acquainted with The Miller's Tale, then.

I know there are many people who use 'swear words' out of context and grossly inappropriately, however I am defending one's right to free speech. Afterall you cannot possibly generalise every youth who swears into this obstreperous nature.

It is unfortunate that the English language is so awfully crafted that there is no room for exaggerated expression without the stiff upper lip getting involved.

[LancYorkYankee]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

I'm sorry LYY, but I believe that to be totally intrusive behaviour on your part. Like I said before, if these people are invading your personal space and making normal conversation impossible for you then by all means ask them to keep it down, but you can't go around telling people what words not to use just because you find them offensive, no one is any better than anyone else.

Actually, I'm glad to know that Shaker. I guess it's a bit of a cultural acceptance thing then. I could have found myself on the tube admonishing some young chavs to watch their language. Thereby bringing forth either a physical or much worse verbal attack.

Again, over here, I don't know very many adults who wouldn't admonish kids for vulgar language. And also, most of the time but not all, the kids will invariably apologize and cease.

I even have a friend who will say to adults using vulgar language to refrain as it his wife and/or children are offended. Again, the people will typically apologize.

Lesson learned!

Brian

[davo69]

my nan would say to me swearing is a weak mind you cant think of any thing better to say.your mouth speakes before you think.so looks like i have no brain and speak to quick.lol

[Margaret Pilkington]

Shaker, Chaucer was speaking the language of the day...the words commonly used as swear words were Old English parlance......but personally I do not want to hear them bandied about by people who wouldn't know that fact if it bit them on the bum. You don't hear these same people using Latin do you...that is another one of the old languages.
The best compliment that I can offer you is to hope that you live long enough to be seen as 'Old fashioned'.

I think that swearing is just a sign of a lazy mind and it is a fashion of followers rather tham leaders. I would rather be a leader than a follower.
And I would rather be deaf than have to listen to the foul language of SOME of the youth(and not so young) of today.