General Chat

That is uncomfortable with the 'F' word either in full or insinuated? I just wondered. I don't have a problem with other swear words although brought up to dislike blasphemy, but i absolutely detest the use of the 'F' word. Just me I assume. Incidentally I do swear myself. Ann Glos

is this regarding my threads?? if so im sorry...i do try to stop myself when on the boards, but on a day like today they have been coming out alot....xx btw, no of course it isnt just your generation, i do find myself cringing at times too and im 19...will try to keep a lid on it now, sorry again x

ive no problem with F word, its in common usage at work but REALLY object to the C word

lol Manda! xx

Strange how some words do have an effect on us. I read Nora's post the other night about how the F word came about and when you think of it, it's just another acronym, like N.A.S.A. or L.O.L. It's just HOW it is used that causes offence. I'm with Sean the C word really grates with me. Christine

Last year when we were on holiday, there was a comedian in cabaret one evening, and he was terrific. One of the things he was talking about was breakfast cereal names being used instead of swear words. His examples were: Frosties (the F word) Corn Flakes (C word), Sugar Puffs (Sh--) and Weetabix (W--k-r). I'm telling you this, because it sticks in our childrens' minds! He then gave some dialogue to prove how effective it was, and it was so funny! The kids still remember it now, and find it quite useful 'cos they can use one of the cereal names and they don't get told off! (They're 14 and 11; you know how they try it on). Don't somehow think it'll catch on, though. Glenys.

Yes, well I don't like the 'C' word either, but I don't think you hear that so much. I accept that it is just another word, but not, I think, to my generation or older. When you think about it, the words that we don't like (both 'f' words and the 'c' word) are sort of sex related. So perhaps the discomfort of the older generation with these words is because sex itself was not discussed openly in our young days. i am 64, I don't know how that compares with those who don't find it offensive. By the way I have been known to use the 'Sh' word but i think that is because husband worked for Americans and we holidayed there a lot. They seem to use it more than us. ann Glos

I don't find the 'F' word offensive at all. Although I do try not to say it when there are children present!! I have to agree that there is something about the 'C' word though.

There was a time when the "F word" was shocking - I think I was quite grown-up by the time I heard it. Nowadays it is on lots of records and nearly all dramas after 9.00 as well as films - just think of FFFFour weddings and a FFFuneral! It's lost its power to shock which I think is a shame, but I think it is a very ugly word. When I started working at primary school about 5 years ago, one of the children came and told me that another child had said the P word. I was wondering what this could be - pr*ck or p*n*s or what? It turned out it was Pokemon! Apparently the card game craze had driven the teachers mad so the children weren't allowed to bring the cards to school and weren't allowed to mention it in class!!! nell

I don't swear. IMHO swearing is for people with a poor vocabulary! Four weddings was a great film - apart from the first five minutes. It really spoilt it. Comedians who swear are a real turn off. I went to a music concert a couple of weeks ago and the lead singer swore a couple of times. Why??! I'm in my mid 30s by the way.

Hubby uses it when he gets really mad and he knows it winds me up. What I hate even more is blaspheny. Jo.

Hi Ann I don't think it's a generational thing (although I don't know how old you are!) - I know older people who use all the swear words there are and younger people who object to them. I'm in my early 30s and personally I don't mind any words but I wouldn't use the f word in front of my mum! David

Hi David, as I said in the post halfway down, I am 64. I was once shut in my bedroom as an 11 year old for saying "blast" in front of my Mum whose strongest word was bother! She wouldn't even say "darn" because that meant "damn" and she wouldn't say "blimmey" because that meant "God Blind me" She was quite narrow minded my Mum.. Dad used to go down the garden for a swear (under his breath but I heard him!) Ann Glos

Here we are researching Family History, and fussing over the use of the F and C word when medieval literature is full of both and more! Many of these words go back to good old Anglo Saxon I believe. And in lovemaking I find nothing wrong with the use of such words. But of course they are used too freely today, particularly by inarticulate kids. But I can remember going out to work at the age of 15 in 1962 and being shocked at how much adults at the time swore!

Sorry Ann I missed that:) My mum's only a little older than you and I have never heard her swear in her life - the strongest things she ever says are 'blow' or 'knickers' lol - bless her. My dad on the other hand swears a lot - but is of the old type who never swears in front of a lady:) David

Whilst on the subject of strong language I'd like to mention another unpleasant word which is becoming very commonplace nowadays, especially on TV. It begins with B.. and ends with..cks. It is never spoken quietly; always blurted out loudly. It makes both my wife and I cringe! Especially unpleasant is when a woman says it. It used to be a "men only" word. A woman was not supposed to know it or what it referred to !! The changing times, eh Ann. I'm the same age as you give or take a year or two. ;~0

I once used the C word in a moment of madness, when speaking to a female. Needless to say, she wasn't impressed (thankfully we're still mates!) but learned my lesson from that. As far as the F word goes, personally I think it's the manner in which you use it, which determines whether it's offensive or not. Generally speaking though, it's rare for me to use it when in female company.

I don't like any swear words and don't know why people find the need to use them. Look in the Thesaurus for alternatives. Sylvia xxx

I do not see any necessity for swearing on these boards ... or anywhere else. :) Joy

Having worked inHMPSrvice for more years than I care to admit,one gets quite used to all swear words.They are not used to offend,but more as punctuation.Quite funny really when you repeat a sentence back to someone.It is all explitifs Rose