WTF are bad words? haha - yeah I said that. But seriously, what is swearing? Why is swearing wrong? I've been thinking about this for a long long time. How can a certain word be bad? Who says it's bad? Seriously, it is just a word.

I first started thinking about this in high school. Someone (maybe it was me - I don't remember) said one of those words that isn't quite a swear word, but it's not quite a good word either - like "piss" or something. So I made an argument saying that the word wasn't even a swear word... *ding* I immediately thought to myself, "wait... what is a swear word anyway?" During that ding someone next to me acknowledged my swear word comment by saying, "well yeah but you still shouldn't say that" "Why?," I asked. "Because you just shouldn't." Hmmm. Where is this list of magical bad words? Actually I know exactly where this list is - it's in everyone's head. Everyone knows what the "bad" words are, but why?

Why is "Sh*t" worse than "Crap"? Why did I just censor the word "Sh*t"? Because Sh*t is vulgar? If I put the "i" there is it more vulgar? Or does the * make it safer to read? If I type Sh*t without an "i" you know exactly what I mean, you probably even pronounce the swear word in your mind, but you accept it more. In fact, I probably just made you say a swear word in your mind 5 times.

The only argument I could come up was that it might have all started with religion - mainly Christianity. Good Christians don't swear right? Is that in the Bible? That would make sense but I haven't seen the verse. The only real swearing or "cursing" mentioned in the Bible that I've seen are through literal curses, hurtful words, or blasphemy.

So, even if you are a Christian - as long as you don't curse someone, use blasphemy, or hurtful words... what is the problem?

Which is worse here?
"You f*ckin rule!"
Or "You are the most worthless person I have ever met."

To me, I'd much rather hear the one with the swear word. Not because it has swear words, but because any set of normal words can be 10 times more hurtful than a naughty word could ever be.

More on that example - there are arguments all over the place talking about the "F word." I've listened to several of these and seriously, it is one of the most versatile words you could ever use. It really is the ultimate word. If we're going to come up with a list of bad words, we should put things like "essentially" and "automagically" on there. Those are terrible words. The "F word" however should be at the top of the "best words" list.

Don't get me wrong, I think there are certain words that should definitely be on the "bad words" list because they are actually derogatory or hurtful. Things related to racism or things like "retarded" would be here. I mean... I still like the word retarded and will probably continue to use it - but not in the literal sense... unless it's hilarious, haha. And as for words related to racism, I'd like to see some of these go away. The "N word" for example (minus the e.r. of course - those are bad letters) is beginning to mean brother/buddy more and more. ...But I don't think the world is ready for that yet.

A friend of mine recently got written up at work (not at my work) for using a naughty word. It ended up panning out in his favor, but still. He got written up because the "F word" he used offended another employee. If your American Flag offends me, should you get written up? No, you shouldn't, but you also shouldn't get written up for a word you use that I happen to not like.

It seems to me that "cuss words" get wayyyy too much attention. They can be a very useful part of the english language. They can express so much: excitement, anger, everything. Plus sometimes they are just fun and hilarious.

And why is it that people are so much more ok with watching rated R movies than they are about listening to songs with swear words in them? Haha, that has always been hilarious to me. You can listen to and watch 2 hours of profanity and be fine with it but are offended by a 3 minute song containing them? Why am I more comfortable watching a rated R movie with someone than listening to an old school Eminem song with them?

I better stop here. I've got so much to say on this subject. Years and years of thoughts... I could write pages. But what are your thoughts? I haven't really talked about this with too many people, but I know it's something everyone has an opinion on. I'm just curious as to where yall stand.

4:20 pm