Why do we (you) cuss?

[deltro300111]

Why not express yourself in a more civilized manner, I cuss, but this is the reason my parents give me to not cuss. In my eyes cuss comes from the word percuss, so it's more of a staccato stricking words.

A pad hit would not effect someone as much as a loud snare tap.

Comment- let's converse.

[Tsuteto]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

Me... I have no problem with cussing at home or in a public crowd outside. It's when people are cussing in a job or in a business area for no apparent reason that I frown upon. If they had hurt themselves and that's why they did it, I wouldn't mind. But that's about it.

Reason for me cussing - I only say about Bloody Hell and Bastard really, but that's because they've grown on me. Bloody hell is just a common phrase from time to time, and bastard I mostly use with friends because they won't mind (unless they're strong religions).

And that's another thing I don't like. When people cuss to down the other person. To me, if a person can go through an argument without cussing once, that makes them all the more better than the person who had done so about twenty times in five minutes.

[Kilgamayan]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

No matter how uncivilized it is, it helps the person you're talking to know you mean business.

[CypherToorima]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

I agree with Kilga. No matter how much people say "Cussing doesn't do anything", it really does.

It's like "It's cold outside" compared to "It's f***ing cold outside." Said in the same tone, the second one means more. just like "Shut up" compared to "Stfu"

[Wayfaerer_]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

Cussing is useful sometimes, but I dont see why some people use it for no reason, in every other sentence.

[Tsuteto]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

I agree with Wayfaerer. I mean, like I said, don't mind cussing. In times it does mean things, but at times it shouldn't be used. However, if it is constantly used, it is a bad image upon a person. It's just how life is.

[GuidoHunter]

Kilga's right, cussing is really almost just an interjection to add emphasis to a statement, but I feel using it without such intentions is completely unnecessary and quite low-class.

I cuss because I started doing it (to be cool, I guess) at about eight, and it's become so commonplace in friendly conversation that I don't even think about it. I don't really like that I do, and I try to watch my tongue, but when I'm in the company of others who don't mind swearing, there's no incentive for me to keep an eye on my words.

That being said, I've had much practice at holding back, and I always feel better about myself when I'm not swearing. Like Tsuteto said, in an argument, the more civil man often comes out on top, especially because you can usually tell when someone "means business" even if they don't cuss you out.

One more thing: To me, cussing is a great frustration-reliever. If something makes me want to yell, "THAT'S FUCKING BULLSHIT" works a whole lot better than "Darn it," or something equally awkward (just listen to someone who never cusses get mad; it really does sound awkward).

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[Squeek]

I have never cursed and never will.

Sure, it would be nice to add some anger to everything I say, or some depth, but I really want to sound civilized rather than powerful.

I'm not one of those people that will yell at you for cursing, though. I know everybody else wants to add it to things for emphasis and I don't mind.

The only thing I'm annoyed about is when people say "such-and-such is teh S___!" which leaves me wondering, "Do they like it or hate it?"

~Squeek

[The_Q]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

Cuss comes from curse. Curse came from the oaths sworn (the other words, oath and swear word, for "cuss") by men to each other that threaten their families or themselves. "I swear on my grave that your children will always have my wrath laying just ahead of them." Eventually these oaths became shortened to one word or so ("I damn you/it to hell!" to "dammit!" or just "damn!"). Even the one word oaths, such as damn, have been shortened from their original forms. At one point, damn was "comdemn." Goes to show you how English has evolved, doesn't it?

Why do we use oaths? To show extreme emotion. No, swearing is not bad at all. In fact, it's wonderful when used in proper amounts. These days one could go around the streets swearing their tongues off and it wouldn't have an effect at all. Back just about a century ago, saying damn in public was grounds for arrest (I'm not sure, don't get on me for it). Cursing is just another form of adjective use.

Why is cursing condoned by so many people? The original denotation followed by the connotation caused swearing to lose it's stature as a regular adjective and became condemnable (damnable, whatever). Just think about it. When you say "sh*t!" do you mean the imperative statement meaning "You, excrete fecal waste!" or do you mean "that's not good!" The original meaning (which disgusts our society) influences the modern meaning.

Why do I swear? The words make damn good modifiers.

Q

[slimshdy425]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

Cursing is fine as long as it's not used excessively and is used in the right environment. It's fine if you're just around friends and say a curse here or there, but if you were, say, at a job interview, cursing wouldn't be a good idea...

Oh and Guido, nice Maddox avator =).

[Anticrombie0909]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

I don't even think of them as 'cusses' or 'curse words'. They're just another part of my vocabulary. Granted, I do recognize that they're stronger than certain words- 'vagina' isn't a curse yet you wouldn't yell that out during a job interview either.

[Afrobean]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

I think I swear just because my parents don't let me swear. Damn my parents! Damn them to FUCKING HELL!

[Squeek]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

Heh, I think I DON'T swear just because my parents don't let me swear.

DARN THEM ALL ZOMGZ.

~Squeek

[Tasuke]

RE: Why do we (you) cuss?

I swear when I'm just with some friends that don't mind cussing.
but i try not to use f*ck and sh*t all that often. Basically i believe
that most kids think that if it isn't cesored on TV they can say it in class
But I have almost never cussed in front of my parents (except my dad when
a "bitch" or a "bastard" just can't be substituted). But I actually try to moniter
my cuss word usage around people.

[deltro300111]

Cussing only works well when used in sentences as subtly as possible

Good: Dude, you're fucking retarded get the fuck off.

Bad: WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE A FUCKING RETARDED DUMBFUCK!