Swear Words

[Antilles]

Hey everyone:

I've been thinking several questions about swear words recently, where did they come from, who defined what word is and what word is not a swear word, and finally, why are they bad?

Further more, is "bastard" a swear word? I'm not sure if it is as in Australian society in particular, it is commonly used like when someone has an accident or something bad happens some say "You poor bastard." Is it slang or swearing? I honestly thought the former, but I'm not sure.

By the way, I'm sorry if this thread has been brought up before.

 

[icedtea]

George Carlin invented them.
I kid. Most of them use God's name in vain (jeez, christ, gd, dang,etc.) Others have to do with body parts and or sex.
I wonder when the first censor board appeared. No matter, swear words were around long beofre that.
I am amazed what has happened.
Back in the 60's, the wonderful Lenny Bruce was arrested for saying things that would be way mild today. Now, there are all sorts of swear words on tv! (South Park, etc.)
We've come far? There was too much censorship before, but now, we have gone too far.

 

[rocklife]

we should remember the bible says for christians "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Ephesians 5:4. so it's not appropriate for christians to be cussing.

I think the word bastard is found in the King James Version, meaning "illegitimate child". also damn is in King James version more than other versions, but that is really getting old, like archaic, and mostly used in slang more than in churches. I would stay away from that word also. Since most people find that kind of talk extremely offensive, also calling them bastards, I would not say that to other people and would advise christians not to talk like that to others, it is degrading and most often just insulting.

and if you really want to know the rest about cuss words, that isn't really a bible study, which is what theology is about.

 

[savedandhappy1]

1 Tim. 2:15-16
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

 

[lilymarie]

George Carlin invented them! That was funny Howard Dean!

Unfortunately, I don't like that kind of talk.

Call me old fashioned, but I stick with the two posts above who quoted scripture.

I also don't think it's becoming for women at all.

I know men do this sometimes during "dude time"... and I don't hold it against them. They might say the "s" word, but it's usually not around me.

Actually, all my family and my fiance's family and our friends are not into being "potty mouths" as it's currently being called today.

I really don't like it, and George Carlin and the other comedians could be funny WITHOUT those type of words.

 

[tiredwalker]

Hey everyone:

I've been thinking several questions about swear words recently, where did they come from, who defined what word is and what word is not a swear word, and finally, why are they bad?

Further more, is "bastard" a swear word? I'm not sure if it is as in Australian society in particular, it is commonly used like when someone has an accident or something bad happens some say "You poor bastard." Is it slang or swearing? I honestly thought the former, but I'm not sure.

By the way, I'm sorry if this thread has been brought up before.

Swear words are pretty interesting if you look into their etymology. These words are also known as "vulgar" which means: common. In modern times we think of swear words as "bad words" but when they began evolving, they were simply words that were used by the uneducated masses, the "earthy" folks if you will. Chaucer used the word "[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]" in his Canterbury tales to refer to pooping, because that was the common, term for it. People did not necessarily think that it was a sin to say those words, but they knew that men and women of the educated class would find it uncooth (these people would of course try not to even refer to poop, they might say something like, "I am unwell, please excuse me" or "watch our, the dogs have been here". Saying the actual word was gross and coarse. If you were on a date, you would probably not stand up and say, "Excuse me, I have to go take a dump now." You might say something like, "I need to use the restroom." Even restroom is a euphemism because it fluffs over the purpose of that room (how often do you sleep in there?). The same is with the term "making love." It makes pleasant out of an biological function. If we want to be common we say, "doing it" or "having sex." If we want to be down right rude, we say "[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing." It all has to do with our culture taboos and the way that our words evolve in that culture. If you say the f-word to an tribal African, he/she will take no offense to the word because that sound does not mean anything in his/her language (unless they speak English).

Sorry for rambling. I love language.

 

[icedtea]

Society was too repressed back then during Lenny's time. But now it is garbage everyhwere. No middle ground. Even John Waters can't shock people anymore and that is a shame!

 

[Controverse]

Okay, here's my take on the situation:

All these verses that talk about "obscenities" are, I think, merely referring to words and language that use the Lord's name in vain.

With that in mind, I no longer do this, although I occasionally use certain words that would be considered 'mild' these days.

'Bastard' is not a cuss word if you are using it to refer to an illegitimate child, but be careful how you use it.

'[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]' is not a cuss word when used to refer to the female canine, but any other use is to be considered a cuss word.

The only problem I have with swearing is the sheer constant use of it - but not for the reasons you think. In fact, when I hear everyone around me cussing all the time, it can drive me up the wall because it is irritating to hear a certain three-letter-phrase over and over.

Arkaine

 

[Everlasting33]

I believe the emotion behind the word is more significant than the actual word.

 

[icedtea]

The bible says we will give account for every word.

 

[ArcticFox]

Good question!

Language is more than individual words; MUCH more. In fact, individual words have little meaning most of the time. They must be paired with other words, and then we find phrases and sentences. The sentence level is typically the level where deeper and higher meaning is achieved (although many refrains/proverbs are built on phrases).

The traditional belief in a set of specific 'cuss words' is too limited to produce good Christian speech. In fact, it is possible to be incredibly mean and hurtful by being polite.

For example, if you consider someone your best friend, and then get into an argument, which of the following would hurt you more?

A) After two weeks of no contact, you call him/her up and the response is negative. They say to leave them alone, and use a bad word.

B) After two weeks of no contact, you call him/her up and they respond as if you were an unknown person. They are very polite, but border on pretending to not even know who you are.

I would consider both pretty bad responses, but at least A shows the person still cares and is involved. B could indicate the person no longer cares about you, or at least is trying not to.

So, even though the B situation was using all polite language, that individual owes God an apology with some good repentance(not that A doesn't!).

Our mandate is to use edifying language. The Bible does NOT say: 'Avoid using words from the list of bad ones.' It says to let your speech be seasoned with salt, and to speak only what is becoming of a saint.

It brings into question the negativity of sarcasm. Also, any use of God's name in vain is CLEARLY sin that needs repentance.

Hope this helps! Consider the greater meaning of a word, but also consider whether your brother will stumble by any individual word you use, too!