Saturday, November 07, 2009

Casual swearing?

Okay. I don't mind a little swearing, and I even think it can be funny in the right situation, but I don't understand casually using the f-word (especially among other LDSs). I've been puzzling over why this is. Why is it that "damn straight" and "smart-ass" are funny, but the f-word is profane to me? It might be because the f-word makes sex profane - profane as in vulgar, commonplace, or explicit. And, maybe this sounds weird coming from a virgin, but I think we should talk about sex in better, more respectful ways than the f-word.

But doesn't "damn" do the same thing? It makes the serious situation of eternal judgment into a commonplace. I would feel pretty uncomfortable saying "exalted straight!" Anyway, Ian Duncan was visiting and talking about the relationship between the sacred and the profane, and I've been trying to figure out what it means.

(that said...I think showing the absurdity of jr. high cussing is kind of funny. cf. "A Serious Man.")

6 comments:

Andrea Landaker said...

I think in some cultures, the f-word is used so commonly and casually that it has lost its meaning (kind of like "you're totally screwed" or "That's jacked", which had similar meanings once upon a time).

What do you think about replacement swear words (friggin, frack, fudge, etc)? Just an easy cop-out, funny, or useful?

Chillygator said...

For some reason, damn feels a lot classier than the f-word as far as swears go. Ah, happy justification!

Rachel Helps said...

Andrea: I don't really mind replacement swears, although "F-ing" is surprisingly emotionally charged when compared with other replacements. I'll use "dang," but I think "jiminey crickets!" is more entertaining.

Jill said...

Hahaha, I don't remember ever hearing LDS people casually dropping Fs. Maybe ones that were openly shady

Makayla Steiner said...

I hate the F word. I hate it used for any reason. Even when it is "quoted" in the classroom (which thing I never dreamed would happen at BYU).

Kjerstin Evans Ballard said...

Um, I fell in love with the f-word a couple of summers ago (thanks to a very profane friend of mine). I use it sparingly. But find it incredibly liberating.