What's a curse word and what's not a curse word? (Warning: Explicit Language)

[jtex316]

I don't understand what is and what isn't a curse word.  Sometimes you say something and people gasp, like "OoOo!!!!".  WTF??? 

So I've made a list here of words that are questionable curses and some that are flat-out curses.  But, you decide for yourself whether they're a curse or not.

1. Hell
Apparently people get pissed when you say something like "what the hell".  What the HELL is up with that?  You're supposed to say "heck".  TO HECK WITH THAT.

2. Son Of A Bitch
This is also offensive, but honestly, I don't see it.  So your mom is a flaming biatch.  Big deal.

3. God Dammit
From my understanding, this is the worst thing a Christian can hear, because you are "Damming God".  I don't even know what that means, honestly.

4. Shit
Shit is the most used word, ever.  Everyone says it, so if you're seriously offended by it - get a life.

5. Bullshit
The only difference between "shit" and "bullshit" is the shit's place of origin.  This is minimal.

6. Ass
Kiss my ass.  Ass is used on Sesame Street for Christ's Sake!!

7. Ho
They prefer to be known as "Permiscuously Challenged"

8. The "F" Bomb
This is a clear curse word.  It's also very powerful to drop.  Hence the name "Bomb" attached to it.

9. Sexual Organs + an Oral Fixation
This combination is deadly, and will most likely get you into a fight.  This is definitely a curse or a curse word, no question about it.

10. Racial Slurs
Wanna get the shit kicked out of you?  Drop a racial slur to an african-american or asian-american person, and see what happens.

11. Drug References
This is very questionable to me.  Drug References are bleeped out in songs all the time, even though everyone knows what they're gonna say.  For example you can't say "I wanna smoke a big fat ________".  They'll bleep it out.  Personally I don't give a crap.

12. Heavy acts of Violence
It's probably a bad thing to tell someone "I'm gonna rape you", but is it a curse word?  Should it be censored?? I don't think so.

13. Bodily Fluids and Projectiles
Who the hell still says "I have to pee".  Everyone says either "I gotta take a leak" or I "got to take a piss".  Also when someone farts, does anyone still say "someone Pooed" or something like that?? We're not little kids anymore.  These are not curse words.

14. Physical Comaprisons to Barnyard Animals
These, standalone, are not curse, but if you call your fellow female co-worker a fat cow, be prepared to go into a Braveheart style battle with her.

I left some off, on purpose.  So don't reply to this thread with "hey you should add X and Y'.  Do it yourself, asshole

[Brian Fein]

Do it yourself, asshole

Nice slippage...

[crazy_scar_man]

10. Racial Slurs
Wanna get the shit kicked out of you?  Drop a racial slur to an african-american or asian-american person, and see what happens.

yeah, those asian americans are scary man. Don't mess with them. If you find yourself on Ho Chi Minh Blvd run bitch run!

[Jim Gray]

Another question - Is there a word you wont say?  What about in front of your Mom?

I don't use the "C" word.  For one, my wife would kill me; but even without that threat there is just something hateful about that word that makes me really uncomfortable.  I don't usually swear in front of my kids or around my parents.  Occassionally, I drop one in just to get their attention or let them know I'm not fooling around.  I use the same strategy at work.

[JVides]

I don't use the "C" word.  For one, my wife would kill me;

The "C" word is the single most dangerous word in the world.  I like to say I fear no man (ok, maybe Charles Oakley) but drop the "C" word on any self respecting woman and, as Scar Man said, run, bitch, run!!  That word is effectively deleted from my vocabulary.

[Dave Gray]

I think that certain words that were once offensive, are losing their touch.  The "C" worst is probably the worst their is -- especially when you're talking about a woman.  The F word has lost its bite in most circles, as it used freely.  I wouldn't say it to kids, but to call someone an M-F isn't what it used to be.

[Phishfan]

I alwasy wondered why the word shit was more offensive as I was a child than saying poop, doodie, dookie, etc. They all mean the same thing and are all slang, so why was one bad to say and the rest OK?

[Dave Gray]

I alwasy wondered why the word shit was more offensive as I was a child than saying poop, doodie, dookie, etc. They all mean the same thing and are all slang, so why was one bad to say and the rest OK?

True.  I guess it's just vulgarity.

My girlfriend teaches at a school with a large Cuban and Puerto Rican population.  She says that when she meets with parents, lots of times they understand the language, but not the different correct uses of words.

For example - they know that "shit" is bad and "crap" is not.

...but they don't know how to use it.  So, they'll have a teacher meeting with her, and ask where the bathroom is because "they have to take a crap".    They think that it's proper speech, because they didn't use the term "shit."  I thought that was kind of interesting.

[Brian Fein]

I will never ever use the "C" word either.  Not in any circle.  I typically turn on the swear filter in front of any type of adults, especially my family, and including co-workers (unless they start dropping bombs first, or are friends outside of work). 

Aside from that, I'm constantly in search of "non-bad" bad words to use...

[MaineDolFan]

Racial slurs - this is something I can't figure out to save my life.  Some of you know, some might not, but my grand mother is African American.  I don't know what percentage this makes me, but it's there in my blood.  My skin color makes Casper the Ghost look Latino.  My sister looks like she just fell off the Soul Train.  Go figure.  My skin has become a little darker as I've aged, as our doctor said it would.  Not my point...

ANYWAY - my point - The reverse racism in this country slays me.  Anyone imagine a higher learning place dubbed "The caucasian college?"  There would be riots in the streets.

[Brian Fein]

ANYWAY - my point - The reverse racism in this country slays me. Anyone imagine a higher learning place dubbed "The caucasian college?" There would be riots in the streets.

I have a feeling this is going to cause an uproar, but I think you're right.

[MaineDolFan]

It should not cause an uproar.  As a guy that grew up in the ghetto, I see the complete valid reasons for helping inner city kids get to college - hence the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) as one of those avenues.  I actually could have applied for assistance.  I wonder how they handle white applicants?  And...how would the NAACP react if someone came up with the "poor white kid fund."

I know, I know - most funds go to white America.  But they aren't CALLED that...and there is my point.

AND - it's funny to me that we can't even discuss racial relations.  Why is that?

[Brian Fein]

who can't discuss racial relations?

[MaineDolFan]

I meant society in general...not "us."

[Brian Fein]

I meant society in general...not "us."

Oh, gotcha.  Yeah, it is unfortunate...