Does replacing certain letters in swear words with *'s make them less offensive?

[ZombieHorde]

Poll question: Does replacing certain letters in swear words with *'s make them less offensive?

For example: Is s**t less offensive than shit?

For the purpose of this poll, let's assume that the swear word is not being used to insult or belittle anyone.

If you feel up to it, please post the reasons for your opinion.

[The Straight Story]

1. F*** yes

:)

[niyad]

2. not necessarily, but it does get you past the censors.

[L. Coyote]

42. It avoids lowering search engine rank for the page and the domain.

Worms and subversives use them to lower a site's visibility.

[merh]

3. **ck No!

I'm f*ckin series !!1!*1

[Ian David]

4. The only word I find truly offensive is B*sh. n/t

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Fuck no - any shit I type is uncensored SPECIFICALLY to emphasize my fucking point!

My Mom tried soap in my mouth, but it didn't fucking work!:D

[ZombieHorde]

6. My mom put soap in my mouth too.

But it didn't fucking w*rk.

[seabeyond]

14. fuck that shit. my youngest son likes the taste of soap and the rebellious feel of cussing

but..... for whatever reason he doesnt cuss and i appreciate. what he does after 18 is his business.

[lonestarnot]

26. fucking LOL!

[RedCappedBandit]

33. Fuck yeah. You fuckin' said it. Damn fuckin right.

Shit.

[1monster]

7. I've always maintained that ANY word can be a "swear" or "cuss" word simply by the

tone of voice, facial expression, and body language used when uttering it.

For example: I've heard the word "honey" which is usually an endearment (when it isn't referring to a honey bee product) used in such a way that it was a really NASTY pejorative.

People who use swear or cuss words, or who use **** to indicate swear or cuss words lack verbal agility, imagination, or vocabulary...

For instance, "you son of a preverse woman!" can be used in place of the ever popular and over used S.O.B.

Then there is the very subtle put down that sounds like a compliment.

"Oh Honey! You look absolutely, positively abdominous in that dress!" *


*http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=abdominous :evilgrin:

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

8. Depends...

Some words are the kind you would yell if a hammer landed on your foot those can be made less offensive

S**t, F**k, D**n

Some curses are those aimed at cutting down another human being which I cant even bring myself to utter here.. But think words aimed at women, certain ethnic groups, or other groups those can not be soffend because its the thought and not the language thats offensive..

All this being said I have kids I try not to even say 'shoot' as my daughters pronunciation is a little off on that if you know what I mean..

[IntravenousDemilo]

9. Only for the very stupid.

But then, only the very stupid would find swear words offensive in the first place. They're just words, little aggregations of phonemes. There are no bad words, just bad thoughts and bad actions. It's like capitalism; it's more or less amoral rather than immoral -- not really evil except in the hands of certain people.

Sometimes a cuss word is the only word that will do. You just have to pick when you use them so that you get maximum effect.

[Occulus]

10. What the FRAK? n/t

[seabeyond]

11. fuck yes, and i am so not offended by cussing of any sort....

but it softens the word. when i am talking to someone who is a little more gentle, or i want to be less abrasive, i use * otherwise i dont fuckin care.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. Does blurring out a woman's nipples on television make them not be there?

Not that I find a woman's nipples offensive in the least. It is just reminds me seeing an * in place if a U in the word Fuck.

I don't get the need to do either one really. We all know what that little fuzzy spot and that asterisk are concealing. :shrug:

[ZombieHorde]

15. It depends on what you are doing. nt

O8)

[sammythecat]

29. True, we all know what the asterisk and fuzzy spot are concealing,

but, I think asterisks and fuzzy spots have a place in the world. Just like bathing suits are appropriate at a public beach even though we all know what's being concealed.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. Yes, but only in print...

:evilgrin:

[backscatter712]

16. Only oversensitive manchildren are offended by fucking cussing...

[Perry Logan]

17. Except for *sshole, which looks like an illustration.

[ZombieHorde]

19. Awesome.

[damntexdem]

18. *uck yes.

No *hit Sherlock.

[LiberalFighter]

20. Let's do it the way Satchel does it in "Get Fuzzy"

ampersand asterisk dollar sign

[ZombieHorde]

21. That is a fantastic cartoon.

It illustrates my thread very well, that you for posting it here.

[XemaSab]

22. Replace them with W's?

I don't understand. :shrug:

[ZombieHorde]

24. It is not about the *'s exactly, it is about replacing some letters with something else.

Though *'s are very common here, other symbols are commonly used. Such as; f&@k, f$!k, and so on.

[helderheid]

23. **** ***!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. Profanity is the universal language

It's utterly indispensable when dealing with bubble wrap, recalcitrant computers, or politicians of any stripe.

[sammythecat]

27. Could you give an example of what you mean?

Depending on the writer, the reader, and the context, the use of asterisks can be anything from silly to considerate. A specific example to narrow the situation would be helpful.

One of many examples that come to my mind would be if I was writing a written report quoting something someone said. If the reader was a buddy of mine, I would probably go ahead and write the quote exactly, "He said, "You're a fucking cunt."" If the intended reader was an unknown supervisor(s), I would likely write, "He said, "You're a f**king c**t.""

How a word is presented makes a difference. If my grandmother was the reader and I had to make it clear to her what words were used, I think I'd write "You're a f**king c**t", which would be a little easier for her to read coming from me than "You're a fucking cunt". I doubt I'd find it necessary to include the inflection for her benefit. The words alone would be enough I think, and it would not be necessary that I write "You're a fucking CUNT!" Keep in mind here that in this case I am merely reporting to my grandmother what one person said to another. If I was reporting what one person said about HER that would completely change the situation and I might change my report accordingly. Someone else writing to their grandmother might do things differently.

I need a specific example. Different situations call for different tactics.

Another thing, I hate seeing the phrase "they're just words". Words mean everything. It's how we communicate to each other. DU and the whole range of emotions people experience here, from sadness to elation, tears to laughter, come from words and words alone. For anyone to suggest, in any way, that words don't matter is just being juvenile and stupid.

[ZombieHorde]

32. Examples of what I mean.

-The food at that restaurant tastes like sh*t.

-It was f***ed up of him to say that.

-What kind on man punches a woman in the c**t?

-Hitler was an evil b***ard.

-I saw Elvis two days ago and he called me an *ssh*le.

-I don't like the use of the word n***er in that song.

-My test today was a b**ch.

[sammythecat]

41. Thanks for the response.

To me anyway, the apparent self-censorship in each of those examples* is just silly. If the writer chooses to use a bad word instead of a euphemism or some other substitute, then just say it. If it bothers someone to write "My test today was a bitch" without camouflaging the word it with asterisks, then just say "My test today was hard".
To me, there are 3 criteria:
-- you're able to swear (it's allowed)
-- you know how to do it without sounding juvenile and boorish
-- your readers are able and willing to read bad language
If any of the 3 are missing, then don't swear. There are plenty of other words to express anything conceivable in an inoffensive way.

The asterisk in the first sentence is for the 3rd example. It fails for the 2nd criterion. However, I think anyone who chooses to say such a sentence wouldn't be the kind of person that gives much of a shit whether or not they offend anyone.

I think good swearing requires skill and even some inborn talent. A lot of people, and especially those that swear at every opportunity, don't do it well at all. Hunter S. Thompson was a true master. He was the best I've ever seen, and any aspiring potty mouths would do well to study him.

[Beregond2]

28. No,

but it sure makes them less effective!

[seasat]

30. Since Doonesbury uses the asterich for B*sh, I think it's very appropriate.

Instead of cursing, we can actually use GWBush instead. Like, "Man, You are full of GWBush!" or "You Cheneying GWBush! I'll kick your GWBush!"

[Ichingcarpenter]

31. "You are fined one credit for a violation of the Verbal Morality Statute. "

Simon Phoenix:
" What? Fuck you! "

Moral Statute Machine:
" Your repeated violation of the Verbal Morality Statute has caused me to notify the San Angeles Police Department. Please remain where you are for your reprimand.

Simon Phoenix: Yeah, right.


John Spartan: Thanks a lot you shit-brained, fuck-faced, ball breaking, duck fucking pain in the ass.

Moral Statute Machine: John Spartan, you are fined five credits for repeated violations of the verbal morality statute.

Demolition Man

[natrat]

34. since profanity is such a part of our culture/media i find it odd people would find it offensive

it's part of the common man's language. I don't find it offensive at all, in fact people who object to it make me wary.

[AlCzervik]

35. i'm a swear word purist, i prefer the original with no censorship, ok fuckwad?

:o

[ZombieHorde]

36. ok fuckwad?

No problem, Republica*.


(even though I used an *, I feel that my insult was more offensive)

[AlCzervik]

38. yeah that one left a mark.

:+ :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

37. Swearing is an art form

Would Mona Lisa look okay with a pasted on smile cut from a magazine?

[treestar]

39. I think it has less impact

Somehow takes the punch out of the word.

[Greyhound]

40. There are no offensive words, only the choice to be offended by them. n/t

[Marr]

43. If you think fig leaves make nude sculptures less offensive, I suppose.

The "*" is the fig leaf of the printed word.