http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2007/06/whence_the_.html
Bad Words have been around for many centuries. The F Bomb has been around since at least 1500. Back in the day it was highly offensive as it has to do with sex. Today it has become less offensive as it means much more than sex. The S word means feces which was highly offensive back in the day. Today the word is used in many different ways and is less offensive. There are other curse words that aren't as offensive today and have lost some it's original meaning. Today the N word is commonly used today. It wasn't long ago when it was offensive towards African Americans.
I've always been curious as to why bad words were bad. I sometimes asked myself if any word could have easily been considered a swear word. It's interesting how a bunch of sounds put together can make a bad word. When it comes down to it, all they are are just words that we speak. Just about anything we say could cause someone to become offended. In countries like Britain the world "Bloody" is offensive and considered a bad word. Is possible that there are words in other countries that are offensive. It's interesting that Bloody isn't bad in America.
I found it interesting that the phrase "That Bites" used to be considered offensive. I've rarely heard anyone actually say that. The only place I've heard it was in the comic strip "Zits." When other bad words were said they were bleeped out. "That Bites" wasn't bleeped out so obviously the phrase isn't considered bad.
I agree with what is said in this article. It seems like just about everyone cusses at least once on a daily basis. Even in movies I hear more cussing. Cussing seems to be getting more acceptable. I was also under the impression that more than one F Bomb in a movie automatically makes it R Rated. Of course in some of the latest PG-13 Movies I've seen it's been said at least twice.
There's no question about it. I really would like to understand all this better. It's a topic I've been thinking about my whole life. As a Christian I know in The Bible it never mentions Bad Words but it does talk about speaking kind things to each other. So I guess in a way The Bible kind of did say not to say Bad Words since they can be offensive.
Most people in the world have cussed at least once in their life. It's part of the way we communicate with each other. Some have said that it sometimes makes us more honest. Is is possible the world needs more honesty. Do they need more negativity?
This is a very interesting topic you choose, especially when its something the whole world has in common. I never knew the bad words were know since 1500. Well its more like I never gave it a thought of where the bad words come from. But it is interesting how some words are bad in other countries, whereas other places it is just a regular word. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteHey Justin! Again, what a great topic! I liked how you talked about bad words being around sine the 1500's. And, you showed how they have changed over time. I find myself and even my 6 year old saying things like "shoot", "poopy" and "freakin", in substitute for the actual curse word, but isn't pretty much the same thing? My one years old picked up the word "caca" and says it when she needs a new diaper. Pretty sad, I know.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that in Britian they see "bloody" as a bad word....well have you seen Harry Potter? Ron Weasley says "bloody hell" like a million times...just thought that was funny!!! Thanks for an interesting article!