Bad Language

[poliphilo]

According to a recent survey British people swore less in 2014 than they did in 1994.

Yes, that accords with my experience.

The fun of swearing is that it's transgressive. As it becomes normalised- as happened in the 90s- the fun factor diminishes. Where's the dividend in saying "fuck" if no-one is shocked?

There's a fashion is swear words. "Bloody" is well out of favour. From my own observation I'd say the same is true of "damn"- which was considered pretty strong when I was a kid but can now be printed without asterisks in even the mildest of family publications.

Incidentally the convention that you can disguise a swearword by inserting asterisks has always struck me as daft. Is there a person on the planet who is doesn't know what is meant by "f*ck", "sh*t" and "b*gg*r"?|

Comments

[cmcmck]

No- I'm not gay after all. The word for Romani that so many people seem to think is okay to use but is only okay for those who own it (I have the blood so that's me)- Gypsy. It's in the same category.

[poliphilo]

Yes, I guess...

But whereas the "N" word always is and always was abusive, the "G" word has a chequered history- and is sometimes used admiringly and positively. People in "housen" have always had an ambiguous attitude towards travelers- at once resenting and envying their freedom.

[cmcmck]

And the Romani have a 'G' word for them. Gauji.

However, it isn't an insult, simply meaning people wot live in houses!