Monday, October 20, 2008

slang or mild profanity and political correctness

Although vile and corrupt language is offensive to anyone with any refinement, at what point dose the prohibition, in genteel society, of slang and mild profanity, become mere political correctness, with the intent to stifle self expression?

28 comments:

Rebeckah said...

I don't think that a prohibition on vulgarity can ever really be considered "stifling self expression". I can't imagine any situation where a person cannot express themselves without vulgarity. Just because they want to use vulgarity it doesn't follow that it is the only way to express themselves. Frankly, I'm not willing to read a lot of vulgar language. I will throw away a book filled with it, scroll past the post filled with it, and walk away from the person using it. That might inhibit their "free expression", since they no longer have an audience to express themselves to, but I'm certainly not stifling it. They are by their insistance on using the lowest possible level of language to express themselves. Just my humble opinion.

bbgae said...

I say as long as the "innocent" cuss words are used it's still socially acceptable in certain company. Like the wealthy English lord giving a hearty "Bloody hell" when the situation merits it.

Rebeckah said...

Okay, I agree with that, bbgae. While I do not like profanity and vulgarity, I ignore the occasional lapse. I do feel that people with anything worth listening to, however, can find better ways to express themselves.

uncaduff said...

rebeckah, I'm not talking about lowest levels of vulgarity. I agree with you on that. what I'm talking about is slang and mild cussing, when someone is passionate about what they are saying, and the essence of what is said, is ignored, and they are condemned for using little swear words.

Anonymous said...

"Although vile and corrupt language is offensive to anyone with any refinement"

Nope Uncaduff, you got that one wrong

the ignorant find vulgarity offensive
the refined find vulgarity ignorant

vulgarity speaks for itself

keep sweet texas
stg

Helene said...

uncaduff,
What has prompted this query? There is no lack of opportunity for cuss words in all strengths in our culture. They're everywhere.

Anonymous said...

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A hurricane? World-wide financial meltdown? Child’s play to what is coming. People (Joe the Plumber, perhaps, who is a plumber instead of an engineer or a school principle, and others of faith the world over) should separate themselves from the horde which has almost destroyed you. Choose the straight and narrow path, and stand with the FLDS, and not with those who are headed for the cliff. And, Bill, you should flood the world with these pictures. Site FLDS.ws

Rebeckah said...

I agree bbgae. I overlook the occasional slip too. However, when someone lives in the sewer they have nothing to say that I am interested in. Even those who are so deluded as to believe sewer talk is somehow "Godly" do not keep my attention when they start spouting it. While biological functions are a part of life, and should be acknowledged, they are not something that the average adult feels the need to dwell on. Most of us grow out of the scatalogical phase before school. Some, through lack of intelligence, brain damage, perhaps even illness, don't. I've read books that were so packed with vulgarity that I threw them away (and I almost NEVER throw away books). The authors seemed to think they were "deep", or "gritty", or something, and I just thought they were childish. I look for content, not shock value.

Rebeckah said...

I agree bbgae. I overlook the occasional slip too. However, when someone lives in the sewer they have nothing to say that I am interested in. Even those who are so deluded as to believe sewer talk is somehow "Godly" do not keep my attention when they start spouting it. While biological functions are a part of life, and should be acknowledged, they are not something that the average adult feels the need to dwell on. Most of us grow out of the scatalogical phase before school. Some, through lack of intelligence, brain damage, perhaps even illness, don't. I've read books that were so packed with vulgarity that I threw them away (and I almost NEVER throw away books). The authors seemed to think they were "deep", or "gritty", or something, and I just thought they were childish. I look for content, not shock value.

uncaduff said...

silver, welcome to the world of double standards.
What prompted the question, was watching the media raise "holey heck :}", with Sara palin for her down home style of "talkin". and ignoring the content of her message. it brought back memories of seeing people criticized for using little cuss words in a statement, with the critic not considering what was said by that person.

Anonymous said...

I would rather read someone damning to hell something than Street's vulgar posts even if they don't contain vulgar words.

Helene said...

OK, uncaduff, now I get it!

Helene said...

Well that is a good point anonymous. There are a lot of vulgar ways to treat people without using vulgarities.

Anonymous said...

Even some of our furry friends have a need for a well placed dam.

http://www.snopes.com/humor/letters/dammed.asp

Read this article and tell me if it would really offend many people.

Rebeckah said...

That was hysterical. Granted he was using "dam" as a swear word, but he was mostly using it to make a harmless, and humorous point. I didn't find it offensive, and I don't think offense was the writer's intention. Well, maybe a little. lol

Anonymous said...

Slang, is just that Slang! Some live by it, others laugh at it, and some are offended by it.
Years ago, folks could express whatever they chose to without every using slang or cuss words. They could make a viable point with educated speech.
Not so today!
Sarah Palin, although Im not voting for either candidate, is a breath of fresh air. Its nice to just see a person not spoiled, or ruined by the washington political elite.
So far, yes she has answered questions wrong, or wasnt completely informed, but that's what makes her human, and its nice to see a human running for office who isnt one of the "Good Ole Boys".

Anonymous said...

I do not know who it is that is speaking out against Buster Johnson, but I would just add this to there comments and to the world. BUSTER JOHNSON CLEAN UP YOUR DRUG RING CREW, THEN WE WILL DISCUSST HE REST!

Anonymous said...

Why don't you start a topic about miracle's? Maybe in this world something good will happen. Maybe some one will actually talk about this. Is there any miracle's that happen in main stream society? Is there any lovely people out there that actually care? Are there any one of you who do good things and share goodness? Let's here it for the good in life!!!! Hip, Hip, Hip Horray! Cheer's if you care! Are you out there? Goodness, are you out there?

cheese said...

Anyone who uses vulgarity to defend their cause either has a poor cause to defend or is a poor defender of it.


Richard S. Jessop

uncaduff said...

11/01/2008 8:24 PM
One cant, in honesty, argue with that.

Angel said...

I think it depends on the context in which it is used...

Angel

Anonymous said...

Holy Sh_t! My wife didn't drink the whole 6-pack! She acutally left one for me. It's a MIRIACLE!

LTG

uncaduff said...

LTG, how bout this for a miracle. my wife buys me beer and don't drink any of it!

Anonymous said...

unca
I wish I'd have seen her first. Sound like you have a keeper.

LTG

Anonymous said...

admin:
Can you change the word verification to just one letter? One solid black-on-white straight line letter? I don't see as good as I used to and trying to figure out what the curvy letters say is a PITA!

LTG

Anonymous said...

wierd ppl u are....lol

Anonymous said...

OMG CUSSING...LOL....YOU PPL ARE FILTHY, AND YOUR WORRIED ABOUT CUSSING..HAVING SEX WITH YOUR DAUGHTERS, SONS,GRANDAUGHTER, GRANDSONS, MOTHERS, FATHERS, SISTERS, BROTHERS, R U FREAKING SERIOUS...LOL...EXCOMUNICATED FROM THE CHURCH..WHICH CHURCH? Yours...what are you all nuts...apparently u are...glad im from a normal life...you ppl are strange...lol...ive laughed and laughed at your comments...thanks for the entertainment...lol....hahahahahahahahahahahah...lol...poor women in here...you all need psycological help!!get some!!1

Anonymous said...

haahahahahahaha yep im still laughing at your incredibly insane comments...thanks for sharing your aboveallotherhuman thinking...r u ppl serious???? get help quick!!!stay away from your poor kids, they are children...omg...the poor young girls...you ppl are discusting.,you all need to be put in jail for abusing women, and children...omg...yourallsick