More and More, Kids say the Foulest Things (swearing)

The Washington Post ^ | 04/12/04 | Valerie Strauss

[crv16]

Dan Horwich's English class is a bastion of clean language, where students read the classics and have weighty discussions free of invective and profanity. But when the bell rings and they walk out his door, the hallway vibrates with talk of a different sort.

"The kids swear almost incessantly," said Horwich, who teaches at Guildford High School in Rockford, Ill. "They are so used to swearing and hearing it at home, and in the movies, and on TV, and in the music they listen to that they have become desensitized to it."

[theDentist]

Now admittedly I use such language time to time, but not around ladies, nor children. But some I know figure it's OK anytime, anywhere. I just don't get that.

[general_re]

Therefore, new obscene words will have to be invented to replace them.

I suggest "French". It could be pretty much a drop-in replacement. "That mother-frencher is so frenching stupid." "French you, you french-hole." And so forth.

[piceapungens]

This morning on the train I heard the most horrible language along with vile racial epithets . . . all coming from several African-American middle schoolers. It was sad to see them use the "n word" so profusely.

[JenB]

Well, for a lot of them it's just habit, nobody's ever told them not to use that sort of language. Around a campus, students think it's "cool" and "adult" to use foul language.

I've known some people who, after years of talking like sailors, try to clean up their speech and find that it's become such a habit, they have real trouble not using it.

[politicket]

But you are incorrect that it has everything to do with a lack of discipline in schools...........the lack of discipline comes from the parents.

I'm going to have to slightly disagree with you on this Gabz.

The public school system has the children embargoed during a very substantial part of each weekday, spending much more time with the child than the working parent(s).

There is a tremendous amount of peer pressure that occurs during the average school day and oftentimes a child will succumb to it (even though they go home and speak properly).

Don't kid yourself that this isn't happening. I see it all of the time.

[orionblamblam]

> I think the use of "dirty words" indicates a poor vocabulary and inability to communicate.

Incorrect. Dirty words are just words, with more emotional connotation. Granted, some people don;t know how to utter a sentence without using them; this is not a sign of moral decaly but, as you suggest, a sign that they are not well educated. However, certain words and phrases are STAGGERINGLY effective at getting across emotional responses. Consider a few days ago, when I found I need to go in for surgery that will leave me scarred and in agony. I'm sorry, but "gosh" and "darn" just didn't cut it. Something a bit more colorful was called for.

[Constitution Day]

You got a frenching problem?

[SedVictaCatoni]

Therefore, new obscene words will have to be invented to replace them.

... which to some extent is what already happened. Nobody seems to say 'zounds' anymore.

[politicket]

Tell me again how dirty words hurt us as a society. Is it the word itself that you fear, or the feeling behind it?

It's known as disrespect, both to those that you're speaking to, and those in you immediate surroundings. Only fools speak with that kind of tongue.

[mongrel]

It's interesting you say that. Most of the barnyard, sexual, and body part swear words are the ones that come from German origin. The words of French origin are the ones that are considered polite. Sexual intercourse, derriere, manure - all French. I'll let the rest of you think up the German replacements.

So at its hearts, the ban on these words is a racist assessment that the Germans are too course and crude in their language to be used in polite company.

[JenB]

But you are incorrect that it has everything to do with a lack of discipline in schools...........the lack of discipline comes from the parents.

I think you're wrong. My (admittedly more or less adult) friends go through a remarkable language transformation when their parents or other authority figures are around. And I rarely hear kids with parents in earshot using the major baddies, at least. It's always when they're just with each other.

I wouldn't necessarily blame the schools (although I wish they'd use the soap treatment!) but negative peer pressure.

[orionblamblam]

> I suggest "French".

Tried that myself, actually. Back in 2003, when that silly "Freedom Fries" thing came up, my response was not to remove France from vocabulary, but to *add* it. "I had to go to the frenchroom and take a chirac, but there wasn't a roll of francepaper."

But to be truly effective, a good expletive has to *sound* harsh. And French... just doesn't.

[general_re]

You're my frenching problem, pal...

;)

[Skooz]

"I had to go to the frenchroom and take a chirac, but there wasn't a roll of francepaper."

LOL! Excellent.

[orionblamblam]

> It's known as disrespect, both to those that you're speaking to, and those in you immediate surroundings.

Hogwash. How is it disrespectful?

> Only fools speak with that kind of tongue.

Now THAT is disrespectful. Perhaps you should remove the word "fool" from your vocabulary?

[IamConservative]

"But some I know figure it's OK anytime, anywhere. I just don't get that."

I too can cuss like a sailor when the surrounding and circumstance permit. By in large silent and in counsel to myself. (I cuss to myself but I rarely cuss back!)

I spend a lot of time in sales meetings at other peoples places of business. Occasionally, you run into people who cuss up a storm in business meetings in mixed company. I never understood that. I prefer to refrain and let people think I'm stupid. I rarely go on a tirade and remove any remaining doubt.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

[JenB]

Well, sorry that "darn" doesn't cut it for you. But I never hear foul language 'in context'. It just litters the conversation the way broken beer bottles litter a hiking trail - and with similar effect.

You only need stronger words if you use the less-strong ones frequently. I don't say "drat" often, but when I do it has the effect for me that the f-word has for some of my colleagues.

Foul language is like auditory smoking; do it all you like, but I'm not going to hang around while you do so.

[politicket]

This morning on the train I heard the most horrible language along with vile racial epithets . . . all coming from several African-American middle schoolers. It was sad to see them use the "n word" so profusely.

Why were those children on the train this morning. Were they on they're way to the local public schools where such trash is tolerated?

Black schoolchildren are at somewhat of a disadvantage just because there are so many black fathers that are non-existent in the family. Those that run away from their responsibilities like to think that they are men, but they are really just weak-spined wimps that have no moral fortitude whatsoever.

[Modernman]

I have a passion for westerns, but couldn't get through one episode of HBO's "Deadwood".

I have to say, the writing in that show is supurb. Even the swearing fits perfectly.