The Seattle Times: Living: Curses! We seem to be turning into a pack of potty-mouths

The Seattle Times: Living: Curses! We seem to be turning into a pack of potty-mouths:

"'People are using [profanity] in completely neutral and surprising situations,' said John Singler, a professor of linguistics at New York University. 'There's no taboo there.'"

Profanity shifts...
there were times when words like, "Swell!" were considered indecent for mixed company... I would argue if "there's no taboo there" then it ain't profanity.


"'The English language isn't used to its full extent and purpose," she said. "There are plenty of explanatory words that can be used instead of swearing. So why not use those?'"

uhm, why use those? why not use either, or both? why not say what you mean? even if it is just, "shut your fuckin' mouth before I shove my fist down your fuckin' throat." - tell me how to express that idea with the same intensity without the swears...

anyone who watches "Deadwood" will grow to understand the poetry of "cocksucker"...

that is all.