“Experts claim using offensive language shows someone has a larger vocabulary and could be linked with a higher IQ.”
I think experts may be flattering themselves with favorable interpretations of their own language preferences.
There’s playful discussion going on regarding profanity here and I don’t want to rain on the fun. So, if not up for commentary coming from the other side, please skip this post. :)
When I was 14 years old, I asked my mother why she and my father didn’t swear (I’d just come home from school on the bus where the contrary was true). She suggested I listen to the overall vocabulary used by those who swear a lot. She pointed out that the same few profane words are used over and over, instead of more descriptive, precise terms. The next day in a shopping mall, I walked behind two people my age, listening to them swear. After about 5 minutes, I had to conclude my mother was right. The same term was used to describe lunch, cheap shoes, Martha’s car, a missing backpack and a bottle of perfume.
I used to work with sailors. Most were speaking a foreign language so they were happy utilizing an estimated 40% profane vocabulary. I was happy that they were happy and that I didn’t have to hear it because I find profanity akin to the speaker bellowing their opinions, pounding the stable, stomping around and being aggressive. Yes - it’s like that for me. There’s something about it that triggers caution and assessing the situation. I’m not at ease. I don’t correct others but I don’t enjoy it as much as they do. I embarrass easily, or so I say, because I can’t conceal a blush even if I say nothing.
A 23 year old woman snarled at me that “not everyone agrees with what words should be deemed inappropriate.” We had been discussing the college policy re profanity. She was letting me know that those with a large online presence (social media) etc. are accustomed to profanity, vulgarity etc. and that all of us must engage in this manner. I went away with the impression that social constraints re profanity were originally meant to include everyone in the family or community with the language common to all and offensive to as few as possible. It was something people did to welcome others or at least demonstrate respect.
The newer thinking among the young is that others are not welcome if they don’t’ arrive with the same tastes. They aren’t interested in setting others at ease -they are interesting in forcing others to accommodate their ease instead. Where it once might have been that you wanted your community to feel comfortable around you, it’s now a case of you finding those who never call upon you to extend an olive branch - just stop talking to the people around you if they are made uncomfortable and logon to social media where people who “really understand” things can be reached instantly.
Gee, I’m hopping no cussers got in past the electronic sensors - I’m really not trying to “harsh your mellow.” I just wanted to offer the other side.
Coarsening the language isn’t new. It was the core of the original *free speech* movement. I remember hearing that every little old lady needs to hear the f-word.
At that same point in time, (early-mid 60s), I was literally unable to say the f-word and several people took it upon themselves to *help* change my vocabulary. It worked.
Thing is, those words lose any force with repetition. As you noted, when everything is ‘effing A’, then nothing is.
The only swear word I heard growing up was “damnation”, one time, used by my dad, a dem, when he hit his thumb with a hammer. My husband will escort me from any gathering where someone begins to swear. I think it’s far less prevalent in our part of the country where church attendance is higher. However I do hear it way more often when out in public. My husband would do better at protecting my ears if he would take over the grocery shopping :-). I hate it when people swear around my grandchildren
I also hate it when people have those external speakers which blast rap music outside their cars. One of these days I’m going to buy an external sound system for my Chevy truck and play John Philip Sousa as loud as I can when I’m at Walmart in the parking lot. Lol
So very well said. Thanks for your thoughts.