In his “Door into Summer” novel, RA Heinlein spoke approvingly through his protagonist about a professor who could severely dress-down an associate WITHOUT the use of profanity! This is the mark to him (and reverberates with me) of a ‘civilized’ man, a gentleman with a manner and behavior worth emulating!
Language is the tool with which we express ourselves and communicate with others. My generation has done the world a severe disservice in making a fetish of coarse language. In the 1960s radical wave, we threw out a lot of the acculturated niceties that oil our relations with others. From language to manners to personal appearance, I think that we are over-due for a return to much of what was tossed out like the baby with the bathwater!
Excellent post. I have not read Heinlein in years. Must remedy that.
I was originally attracted to this board because the postings were well written and well thought out. There was considerable peer pressure. Proper syntax and vocabulary were needed to engage and contribute to the discussion. One line wisecracks, (God forbid, profanity) brought a huge and negative reaction.
I get derided every time I relate that memory, but I was there. It was better than it is now.