What are "swear" words?

[Color]

Saying them brings to mind all the nasty ways they are used. Not to mention the unwanted sexual and violent meanings and connotations many of those words carry. Sometimes it is necessary to do that which makes people uncomfortable if the situation asks for it - like telling the Truth. But swear words are not necessary in any situation, they are not important, they don't help anyone advance or grow, all they have is the vile associations attached to them, and nothing positive.

From my experience, every time I hear a swear word it makes me kind of paralyzed, for a sec.
I was growing up listening to those ugly words and I agree that maybe I'm connecting it too much with aggression.
But still, I never ever liked those words and I feel very uncomfortable with people which are using them
in everyday language, although they don't mean any harm to me or being aggressive in any other way at the moment.

Just that "my ear hurts" while listening. It does. And I can't help wondering why are they using them at all...
It's not like you can't say, explain something without it. So, why?

 

[Al Today]

Re: What are \


I don't know if the following is a confession or self-centered noise. I'm having some major doubts about myself right now. The other day I used foul language in a comment within SOTT. I then came into the forum to post a vulgar video based on the "F" word. At the time I thought funny. I have since been contemplating my use of foul language. I do not like what I "see". I am apparently a hypocrite. I see swear words as a vicious tool that can be used to shock with intent to hurt others. I also sometimes use them with an intent of humor. I am now beginning to see that use of these words do nothing but display me as an uneducated, weak minded, self-centered, ignorant stereotypical STS being. This is a painful experience that I only hope to remember and grow beyond this.

The following comment hurts:

"Swear words" have a negative association due to being used in very negative, arrogant, subjective, manipulative, and other nasty ways by countless of mechanical people.

 

[melatonin]

Re: What are \

Young kids nowadays use the word 'rape' like it means nothing, which is pretty disgusting.
When playing online games people often say " i raped you" - its normal conversation for alot of people. Ive often spoke up against it, but then people say " why so sensitive? did your uncle abuse you".
People dont need swearwords to be disgusting.

On the other hand my mum was totally against swearwords, yet was one of the most manipulative abusive underhand people you could of met. People who try so hard to look outwardly perfect, are usually far from it.

 

[luke wilson]

Re: What are \

In a way, swear words are the perfect metaphor for what is really wrong with humanity.

That bitter inward hatered that we have of ourselves, that has been masked to appear beautiful, colourful and enriching but is anything but.

I have to confess, I for one, never used to swear when I was young, my parents were against it and I didnt see what the big deal was using them. They didnt make me feel good is all. However, nowadays, when am at university with my friends, I swear. Sometimes like a parrot, just blurting out words to no end, for the sake of it. Not really offensive words per se but the usual. Usually the F and G and S words...

At the core I think they represent selfhate because of the extremely negative connotation attached to them. Also in a way, the world is so rough on us that at some point we just surrender and end up hating ourselves and once that happens, it becomes easy to start harming other people and doing negative things. Other times, it's just an indication of ones inner state be it with no intent of causing harm to another.

I think swear words of all kinds, even the more socially acceptable ones pretty much come from the same pool... Pool of selfhate and selfimportance. You can mask it whatever way you want to, have fun with it, say it makes you feel good but there you have it, it shows exactly what you think of yourself at a deep level, IMHO. It's like a kid stabbing himself and laughing and having a good time whilst doing it and saying it feels reeeeaaally goood. Pure madness.

Sad really. Alot of things are sad, I suppose it's just a way of life on the BBM.

 

[HowToBe]

Swearing and Cursing

What are swear words? How did they get known as such? Why do people find their use offensive?
[...]

[...]
The way people speak--the how of what they say--is actually a very good indicator of their inner state, which is usually entirely mechanical. [...]

Well consider the "f" word...... bad vibes all around if you take a look back at its origins.

John Philip Cohane in his book "the Key" makes a good case for this word originating from the word havoc which is the combination of the root words hawa (the infamous pig god) and Og/Oc, a long forgotten god.
[...]

it is funny because it does serve to channel your anger or frustration when you attach adjective f.....g to something. It can also spiral out of control once you start using it and sooner or later you end up using it for everything.
I am sure the sounds that are made by vocalizing certain words carry particular vibrational frequency or energy
[...]

[...]
I think swear words of all kinds, even the more socially acceptable ones pretty much come from the same pool... Pool of selfhate and selfimportance. You can mask it whatever way you want to, have fun with it, say it makes you feel good but there you have it, it shows exactly what you think of yourself at a deep level, IMHO. It's like a kid stabbing himself and laughing and having a good time whilst doing it and saying it feels reeeeaaally goood. Pure madness.
[...]

Apologies if the string of quotes is a bit jarring. I thought I would highlight them to contrast them against a clip from one of Jordan Peterson's lectures. I also recognize that this thread is 10 years old, and I suspect the discussion would (and may still) go differently with the knowledge gained over time. This was the only thread I found discussing swearing/cursing, so I guess it's the logical place to post the video.

He basically says it is rooted in biology, and recruits the same neurological systems that monkeys use to make warning calls to others about the presence of predators. Is he right? It depends partly on the answer to the "evolution" puzzle, but at least it tells us that it arises from a particular neural system that is not used for normal language and has a useful purpose in animals.

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