The Bloggers With The Most To Say
Self-Censoring?
To my mind, swear words are a part of our language, and hold a place in our spoken and written expression. It's become something of a pet peeve of mine when people choose to censor swear words on their blogs. I completely respect anyone's decision to not use profanity. Also, I understand that sometimes terms of use of certain blogging communities or platforms prohibit their use as part of their terms of service.
I'm by no means a fan of swearing every other word (though it can be fun when you're angry), but I do find that swear words can be used effectively and creatively.
So here's my pet peeve: I get annoyed when I see people NOT typing out swear words in their entirety. Many times, it appears as "sh*t" or "b*tch", or occasionally the classic "f#!@". To me, I think we should rejoice in every aspect of our language, and if we choose to use it, we should use it completely.
That said... what is YOUR take on profanity? Do you prefer not to use it, to edit it with special characters, or to use it completely? Why?
I'm by no means a fan of swearing every other word (though it can be fun when you're angry), but I do find that swear words can be used effectively and creatively.
So here's my pet peeve: I get annoyed when I see people NOT typing out swear words in their entirety. Many times, it appears as "sh*t" or "b*tch", or occasionally the classic "f#!@". To me, I think we should rejoice in every aspect of our language, and if we choose to use it, we should use it completely.
That said... what is YOUR take on profanity? Do you prefer not to use it, to edit it with special characters, or to use it completely? Why?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Libby on -
good fuckin' question;-P
i say if you're going to put the word(s) up there, why go through the trouble of replacing letters with symbols...what's the point?
that being said i find myself censoring what i write all the time, though i tend to just leave out the words completely. i'm not really sure why. force of habit i guess.
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Permalink Reply by Phil on -
I agree. I think overuse sort of takes away the power in the meaning. But using such words in good taste, and with good timing and creativity, makes them amazing and powerful.
I guess what I'm curious about is WHY, then, we sometimes self-censor? Is it that we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings? Or not sound harsh? Or appeal to the widest possible number of readers? I'm guessing it's a combination of all of this. Hmmm...
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Permalink Reply by queenbitch on -
Oh I fucken swear like a sailor mate!
My audience is mainly people that arent afraid of the swear words. If I go around commenting on blogs that I know do not use swear words I watch my language.
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Permalink Reply by Phil on
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I fully agree! I think if you're on someone else's site, the only courteous thing to do is follow their basic ground rules. I'm all about respecting others' choices and preferences, especially in their own space.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on -
I don't mind profanity really, but I think it can take away from the integrity of the post at times. If you want me to take you seriously, don't swear just because you can and fill up an entire post with shits, fucks, cunts, etc.
Also...my mom reads it and she doesn't like when I say super fuck yeah. I've changed it to super f-word yeah and I'm quite happy with it :D
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Permalink Reply by Phil on
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Exactly. Overuse of any word tends to lessen the power of said word. And if it's overdone, too, the main point is lost in the less than creative use of language.
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Permalink Reply by Alexandra//Outspoken C of 20sb haha on -
I know I probabaly dont' sound intelligent using it, but I have the mouth of a sailor. Although, I've been trying to curb my use of certain words on my blog. I love the 'C' word, I know most women loathe it - but it flies off my tounge with the greatest of ease....although, I've been replacing it douche bag or douche nozzle, which probably isn't a bad thing.
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Permalink Reply by Phil on
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I don't tend to use the 'C' word myself, but I HAVE seen The Vagina Monologues, so I know the ladies have taken the word back. And damn it's awesome.
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Permalink Reply by Alexandra//Outspoken C of 20sb haha on
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Oh screw Eve Ensler....that play was awful. I've been using that word since birth...English parents. haha
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Permalink Reply by Phil on
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Hehe nice. I liked the show, but it seems to me it has to be done right. The production I saw was entirely student produced and very creative, so I loved it.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Robinson on -
You know, I think this brings up a debate as to who "owns" which words.
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Permalink Reply by WishMeWell on -
if i had a nickel for every time i swore i'd have a shitload of nickles!
in all honesty, sometimes i'll go with "effed" instead of fucked. but thats not really censoring per say, i just sometimes think its works better. Fucked up can land kinda strong and sometimes i really do simply eff up. aside from that i'll swear like a fucking sailor (who, as a group, really get a bad wrap swearing wise)
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