What Makes A Bad Word Bad?

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:17 pm

This question was posed to me by a co-worker and I really could not answer it.

Why is a bad word bad? Why is it wrong to say f**k and s**t? Does it really hurt your feelings when you hear those words? Why is it bad to say those words.....cuz society says it's bad? Who/what made these words bad? Answer this for me please, cuz I'm stumped!

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:23 pm

I don't think it's the word itself that is bad.

Each letter must take responsibility.

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:23 pm

Hi Prey

Pronunciation, facial expression and attitude imho.

Go FK Yourself

as opposed to

Go FK Yourself

are two different meanings altogether.

--

regards

minir

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:23 pm

Norm wrote:I don't think it's the word itself that is bad.

Each letter must take responsibility.

Smartass!

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:25 pm

minir wrote:Hi Prey

Pronunciation, facial expression and attitude imho.

Go FK Yourself

as opposed to

Go FK Yourself

are two different meanings altogether.

--

regards

minir

True Minir, but if my dad were to one day greet the church, while on the altar.."Good morning and God Bless, how the f**k you doin today? In the nicest tone possible, he'd lose his license in a heartbeart.

Bastid · Post by **Bastid** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:34 pm

i know dude, i ve often wondered the same thing...
there are 20 different slang versions of the same words that are "acceptable" but mean the exact same thign...i could never get past this...

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:27 pm

words are NOT communication, they are simply representations of intentions, objects etc. The word represents the sayer's intention. What is the intention when someone says, "FU" or "go F yourself"? That, coupled with the agreement of society that the intent /word is bad is what makes it bad.

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:12 pm

****ing **** you god damned ****ing ******* ****er. Don't ask ****ing stupid ****ty questions.

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:14 pm

Prey521 wrote:True Minir, but if my dad were to one day greet the church, while on the altar.."Good morning and God Bless, how the f**k you doin today? In the nicest tone possible, he'd lose his license in a heartbeart.

---

Hi Prey

On the other hand He may well end up with a much younger generation being Saved.

Seriously it is becoming more acceptable lately it seems. TonyT is correct in that it is how its perceived by your peers. Good , Bad or Indifferent in the overall, but as i first mentioned, on a personal basis.

---

regards

minir

saved · Post by **saved** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:18 pm

Prey521 wrote:This question was posed to me by a co-worker and I really could not answer it.

Why is a bad word bad? Why is it wrong to say f**k and s**t? Does it really hurt your feelings when you hear those words? Why is it bad to say those words.....cuz society says it's bad? Who/what made these words bad? Answer this for me please, cuz I'm stumped!

I will base this on a biblical view since I am a Chrsitian and it would apply even to those who are not. The bible says this;

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Do this and you will not have any question what is and is not bad words.

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:22 pm

I can't find a link yet but I believe the courts here have accepted these words as common language out in the street, workplace etc which wipes out charging anyone with harrasment etc.
I don't think it stretches to the courtroom the decision was made in tho.

I also believe it's the way it is said which is easily worked out by the receiver.

Croc.

golfnintendoboy · Post by **golfnintendoboy** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:24 pm

IMO, it's the company you are around.

EvilAngel · Post by **EvilAngel** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:20 pm

Prey521 wrote:This question was posed to me by a co-worker and I really could not answer it.

Why is a bad word bad? Why is it wrong to say f**k and s**t? Does it really hurt your feelings when you hear those words? Why is it bad to say those words.....cuz society says it's bad? Who/what made these words bad? Answer this for me please, cuz I'm stumped!

**** I don't know...****ing spick

lol ... maybe cause it could be insulting?

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:44 pm

Prey521 wrote:This question was posed to me by a co-worker and I really could not answer it.

Why is a bad word bad?

usually when it does'nt do it's chores or when it gets a F in class.

stevebakh · Post by **stevebakh** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 5:26 pm

It's all about context.

That along with the fact they're engraved in society as "bad words" now. So there's not really much reason to say them. However, language constantly evolves (well, the English language certainly does). Word contexts change, meanings change etc etc.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 6:50 pm

Prey521 wrote:Why is a bad word bad? Why is it wrong to say f**k and s**t? Does it really hurt your feelings when you hear those words? Why is it bad to say those words.....cuz society says it's bad? Who/what made these words bad? Answer this for me please, cuz I'm stumped!

http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/home.do

One of the episodes they did recently was about profanity...interesting show

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 6:53 pm

Mummy said so.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:02 pm

Indy wrote:http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/home.do

One of the episodes they did recently was about profanity...interesting show

http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/topics.do?topic=profanity

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:58 pm

One day while pumping gas, I spilled gas on my shoes, I yelled "oh Prey521!!" and a lady walked over and slapped me in the face saying that was one of the most vile things she's ever heard!

64bit · Post by **64bit** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 8:07 pm

not a thing imo. I've never been offended by language and really never given a second thought to if people are offended by the language i use. I of course know that certain settings aren't the best for 4 letter words though and i don't try to purposely offend anyone. I just dont ****in think about it