We were having coffee, when my friend ticked me off (albeit teasingly) about my bad language – I’d been using the F word … and also the C word!
Before you get too shocked by my potty mouth, let me explain.
- The F word in this instance was “farting” – as in, “he was just farting around instead of getting the job done”; and
- The C word was actually “crap”, as in “it was such a load of crap”.
What do you think? Do you consider “farting” and “crap” to be swear words or bad language?
I don’t think they are at all, so I was surprised that my friend would take offense (even jokingly).
Is Bad Language Getting Worse?
When I was a little girl, we used to be horrified if somebody said “Shut up!” or “bum” – which seems laughable now. But they truly were considered to be swear words, and quite rude back then – and certainly not for use by children. Nearly 30 years later, when my kids used these words as tiny tots, I don’t think anybody turned a hair.
Mulling over my friend’s gentle dig, I thought about all the words I *could* have used. Instead of “farting”, I could have easily substituted “fiddling” or “faffing””; or “rubbish” or “codswallop” for “crap” – and probably wouldn’t cause any offense.
But what if I’d chosen to use words like “bleeding”, “flipping”, “fricken”, “darn” and “sugar”? These are frequently employed as a more acceptable substitute for coarser language. But when you get right down to it, we all know what they mean – and that they are a watered down version of a swear word.
Personally? I don’t find them offensive at all, and think they are the preferred alternative (in polite company at least).
I’ve been known to drop more than the occasional “f bomb” of late, which my kids find highly amusing as when they were little I was very careful with my language – setting a good example and all that. But now they’re grown up it doesn’t matter so much 😉 . In fact nowadays THEY are the ones ticking ME off for using the F word!
I have fallen into bad habits, and do need to clean up my act mouth. But I will still be using “farting” and “crap” … better than SOME of the alternatives hey!
Which F word would you find least offensive? Where do you draw the line on swearing and using bad language?
Liz Posmyk says
Words… interesting how some folks are offended by the use of some…
Janet Camilleri says
I don’t like hearing the “f” and “c” words especially not in the workplace (yes, it does happen). I also don’t like it when people say “Jesus Christ” as a swear word. But other than that I’m pretty easy going …
Joann says
It seems that in much worse when I’m around other offenders. Damn it!
Janet Camilleri says
LOL I hear ya Joann, flipping heck!
Kathy Marris says
Like you Janet, I never allowed my kids to swear in front of me and I certainly never swore much in front of them. However occasionally I would let one slip! My son who is 27 almost never swears in front of me and when he does he apologizes immediately. I think it gets back to a respect thing and that means not swearing at your parents. I had a friend who swore in front of her two sons all the time and I could sense zero respect from them towards her. I certainly would be horrified if my kids told me to “F*** Off” or some other disrespectful word. These days I use a lot of swear words which I blame on my husband, who swears all the time. I also don’t really bat an eyelid anymore when people swear, but I would prefer that they expand their vocabulary a little instead of over-using the “F” word.
Janet Camilleri says
My kids also don’t swear in front of me to this day 🙂
Lyndall @Seize The Day Project says
I agree with Kathy – I really don’t agree with kids swearing at or about their parents. My kids have had their mouths washed out with soap when they were younger for using bad language. I never used to swear much at all until I met my husband, who also swears a lot, and now I do swear more than I’d like – but it does depend on who I’m speaking to! My Dad could hardly speak a sentence without using the word “bloody”, which for younger reader’s information, was a swear word in the olden days, but he never said it in front of his mother or sisters!
Janet Camilleri says
Yup, there was no swearing in our household until relatively recently – and hubster and I are the worst offenders!
EssentiallyJess says
I use crap all the time, but then when my twelve-year-old said it I thought it sounded wrong so have been trying not to.
I’m also not above using bloody, ‘the bloody cat!’ from time to time, which upsets my mother. And I never feelg reat about saying it so I should stop.
As for fart — not a swear word but I don’t like it. It bugs me for some reason.
Janet Camilleri says
Oh I know, my kids often have a dig at me for using words that they don’t … even if it is just crap. I did such a good job of raising them, I think I will now have to turn my talents to myself!!!
Victoria says
This is about the post on commenting – I just wanted to add that on some blogs it is difficult or impossible to figure out the procedure. It’s not that I don’t try!
About cursing- darn instead of damn etc, used to be called “minced oaths” love that phrase!
Janet Camilleri says
I have trouble commenting on some blogs too Victoria – I just went to comment on one today and it required my WordPress.com login – of course do you think I can remember what the heck it is? And the email to reset my password still hasn’t arrived!
An imperfect mum (Catie) says
I think I went through the potty mouth stage when I was a teenager but cleaned up my act and as I am a teacher just got into the habit of not swearing. My mum always said it showed poor vocabulary LOL . Now I live in Holland a land with no censorship. I was shocked when I first heard the f word used on TV and the radio and I still don’t like my kids hearing it now. But they know I don’t like it and we don’t use it in our home and that’s it! I don’t consider fart swearing though.