After I posted my last blog entry, it was as if the heavens either conspired against me or decided to test my resolve. I just got slammed with things to do! I had a house guest for two weeks, had a few nights of overtime at work, was asked to create some little origami flowers as gifts for the new members of my women's club and I was elected to the position of Vice President of Education in my Toastmaster's club.
The problem with being self-deluded is that you believe you can accomplish 30 hours worth of stuff in the 24 hour day!
So, I finally got back to blogging and I really enjoyed following the links left by the people who commented on my posts. I love the comments and I really enjoyed the blogs! And anytime I start reading blogs, I follow interesting links from one blog to another and find my way through a maze of topics and interests. It is like heaven for someone with a short attention span!
As I read along, I became aware of a trend that is not unique to blogging. The occasional sometimes frequent use of the "F" word. I'm sure that some people will think that I am very conservative or hyper-religious or whatever. Think what you may. I do not like that word! I hear it more and more in movies, in music on the street. To me it is "fingernails on the chalkboard". It represents all the horrible types of sexual intercourse; abuse, rape, incest, etc. So when someone says "FU" it is like they are wishing all those horrible things on the other person.
I just don't understand why people want to use such a disgusting word. In most cases, it isn't necessary. It doesn't help the story line, or make the point. In my opinion it detracts. It degrades the person who uses it.
I certainly am not perfect when it comes to cussing. I've been known to occasionally use the less offensive four-letter words. I'm trying to stop use them all together. When I was very young, I learned at least one swear word from my dad who used them on occasion when the cows just weren't cooperating. Over the years he replaced the four-letter words with more creative expression to please my mother who really disliked any foul language.
I think I'll start using those expressions ...
Grab all Friday!
Great Caesar's Ghost!
Cotton Pickin'!
Then there was my grandmother's ... Fooey! (different inflections of the voice while saying this expletive created different meanings)
And my mother's ... Fiddle Sticks!
Perhaps I'll make up my own ...
What a pile of nibbily bits!
Goofy and Mickey!
Or quote cartoon characters like Sylvester the Cat ... Suffering Succotash!
I guess my point is that cussing is really not necessary and having a funny cuss word to say really relieves tension much better than an actual cuss word. It would also get everyone to smile!
**UPDATE 8-6-14 - It is interesting how my opinions have changed. I have lived such a sheltered life that I rarely interacted with people that didn't share my same beliefs or more correctly the beliefs I'd been raised with. When I have been put in situations to interact with people who were different from me, I quickly dropped my prejudices as I came to see that they were generally good people. I'd literally been brainwashed to think that anyone who didn't conform to the beliefs I was taught as a child was evil. That included myself which explains why I've always struggled with guilt and a feeling that I was evil. Pretty fucked up in my opinion.
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12 comments:
I could curse in French but that would be cheating, right ?
I try not to curse to much when I write, I think I can express myself better than that. But it happens...
Don't put too much pressure on yourself about blogging. It takes time but you don't have to come up with a daily post. I usually post twice a week and I enjoy it this way. ;)
I feel the same way. Sad that kids learn this type of language from a very early age and also sad that is just so rampant everywhere you go. Sometimes you seem out of place if you don't curse.
So far, I haven't ran across any blogs with that language.
Hi, Angela! Okay, this is a copy and paste comment. You've been Tagged! Just come by my blog and read the rules. I have to do this...he he...
Thanks!!!
I have tagged you to post 8 things about yourself-for more info visit my blog.
This is another trend that is common among bloggers!
zhu: The accidental slip happens to everyone. I think my life experiences have bred a particular dislike for the "F" word. Interestingly, enough in Thai the "F" word refers to a type of squash and it didn't bother me hearing it in Thailand.
Thank you also for your encouragement. I'm averaging a post every two weeks. It's not as much as I would like but it is better than nothing.
HeavenAbove: Thanks for your comments. I do feel out of place at times, but in the end I have to live with myself.
Choc Mint Girl and HeavenAbove: Thanks for tagging me. I was a little concerned at first but I enjoyed it. I had to go out and find a few more bloggers to tag!
Cuss words are a tough call. I don't cuss in mixed company. I just use it in my writing. Fiction and blogging. (but again sparingly)
The underlying problem with cussing (I believe) is the strong connection it has to violence. Not in all forms, but in most, I believe cussing is the verbal version of violence. A cowardly type of violence where you can't hit or kill someone, so you say F them. And when you say it, you're not quite sure what you mean, (I mean, you obviously don't want to make love them) but your subconscious is saying that you want to hurt that person. It should be noted that one of the questions asked on the Pyschological Test for how prone you are to violence IS "how often do you cuss?"
But to put this in perspective, lets remember, there is even cussing in the bible
Phil 3:8
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ"
Dung, of course, was a cuss word and the equivalent of the "s" word back then. But, overall, I try to avoid cussing. In writing, it shows a lack of creativity and in conversation it's just a cheap way of trying to be "cool". Sorry for the long-windedness, though. It's a curse... No pun intended.
t.l. corners: I really appreciate your perspective. I think you have pinpointed what I don't like about cussing. It is the hatred and violence that is behind it.
Perhaps it is the improper mental state; not so much the use of foul language; that Jesus is warning against when he said:
"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
Another aside regarding the Thai language. They have many forms of the language ranging from a high form that only royalty uses to a low form which is used in some cases to illustrate a point. For instance, if you really don't like the food you are eating you would use the lowest form of the word "eat" to describe what you are doing. It is equivalent to saying you are barely able to gag it down.
I think all languages have words that can be used to describe the worst aspects of life and in some instances these words are considered cuss words. What differentiates a word that describes something and a word that offends? The intent of course.
Thanks again for your comments. I love the discussion!
Opps! I forgot to properly reference the scripture I quoted in my last comment. It is Matthew 5: 34-37.
Good post! I fully agree. In my own life I tend to say "fungicide" or "oh fungus" while I'm at it, holy heffalumps is a good one and throws people off guard.
Of course, if it's the intent that matters than no matter how cute you make it, does it mean the same? I think of the above as just strong exclamations.
just figured i say hi, been in to your blog a few times. it better than mine. lol
Wow! So nice to find someone who feels the way I do about the "F" word. If you read some of my older poetry posts, you may have come upon one entitled "Festival of Slights". This poem deals with this topic. You will probably get a kick out of it.
Poetikat
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