[Willie Green]

The author of this article is an effing idiot!!! :=), :-)

Yeah, but he may be onto something.
The art of cussing has become so vulgar that it has lost its effectiveness.
Rather than elimination, I would suggest that people be taught to use it sparingly as a precious resource.
It is only when held in reserve for an appropriate moment that it truly communicates the intended meaning.

[Paulus Invictus]

It is offensive enough to be prohibited on this Forum, or did anyone notice? (See rules below: "No profanity" and one would assume this includes obscenities). The use of symbols and asterisks essentially conveys the same profane message as the real words do to the readers. Writing "effing" or leaving out key letters is virtually the same as writing them out. What does Mr. Robinson say about this?

[supercat]

Yeah, but he may be onto something. The art of cussing has become so vulgar that it has lost its effectiveness. Rather than elimination, I would suggest that people be taught to use it sparingly as a precious resource. It is only when held in reserve for an appropriate moment that it truly communicates the intended meaning.

Like the "big big dee" of HMS Pinafore?

[sauropod]

I agree with you.

My own opinon that the verb from which "effing" was derived be uttered as if one were uttering a royal proclamation ;-).