What makes a "cussword" a cussword?

Brother James, As I mentioned earlier, context is everything. Jolly in itself is not a cussword, but when talking about jolly traffic, the implication is no different to damn or bloody traffic, so jolly is replacing those words.

Methinks we have far too many hang ups, and we sweat the little things.

Cheers,

Jim

 

As a slight tangent, has anyone else come across the village of F***ing in Austria? Apparently the locals are getting fed up at being sniggered at by English-speaking tourists for some reason...

[ETA - there are also plenty of rude place names in the UK which I could list if you're really interested... ]

 

Years ago I was helping a friend plow a neighbor's field for corn--I had never met this friend's "neighbor" before--anyway---my friend told me that the "Fertilize Man" was coming that morning to spread the fertilize---well---there I was on the tractor plowing away--when off in the distance I could see a man walking through the plowed field toward me---I made my way on over to him---idled the tractor---got off and walked toward him--thinking he was the "Fertilize Man"---

"Are you the Fertilize Man??"

Then he commenced to spray four letter words all over the place!!

All along I'm thinking---"What did I say wrong??!!!"

Turns out he was the property owner we were plowing for!! My friend's neighbor!!

Some neighbor, huh???

Good ole Mississippi hospitality!!!!

 

Swearing, defined by taking the Lord’s name in vain , is always wrong. Cussing or cursing still comes from an attitude or anger or wrath and as Christians it should be avoided, as listed below:

Eph 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice

Col 4:6Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
1Pe 2:23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

While understanding that word usage/meaning evolves (in the case of Koine Greek it even ceases), we should look at the intent of the word and the heart of the one speaking the word. Is it just as bad to say “Gosh darn it”, “heck”, and “shoot” when they are just substitutes for the real words? Isn’t the heart intent still the same when the words are uttered? After all it’s what’s inside that produces what produces what comes out. Some are just too modest or embarrassed to say the actual words, yet the internal desire remains to utter the ill phrases.

I know a local talk show host who did a monologue regarding how he says “bleeping” as his default adjective because the FCC won’t allow the other words.

I do agree with the OP that learned habits/patterns of speech are difficult to break. Does anyone seem to notice that bad company corrupts good morals: if you work or live with foul-mouthed individuals it is contagious?

Hence, Rom 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And
Col 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Peace

 

a few more thoughts, some may have already been stated:
-cussing is lazy, ignorant, and quite unimaginative; a cop out for commuicating in more clear vivid language. Evidence of the dumbing down of our culture.

- it portrays a bad attitude,a lack of character, and can engender hostility

-it shows a lack of self-control

-it sets a bad example

-often it makes people uncomfortable

-it's overuse has redueced it effectiveness in drawing attention.

 

I was always under the impression that saying something was "screwed" was ok to say until someone objected once - and pointed out there was a sexual conotation in some ears.

 

Paul, I think that is one of many phrases that depends on the company you're in at the time. There are things I might say in the company of my wife, or in the company of associates at work, that I might not say in front of someone's grandmother. The word "screwed" in that context (meaning, getting taken advantage of), is a good example.

 

My opinion is simply this, the definition of a cuss word is in your heart. You could look at someone and say the word hello so offensive you should have used every word ever uttered. Just my honest opinion though.....

 

I don't think it's just in your heart, though. If it's a word that is not offensive to you, but offensive to another person's heart (such as the "screw" word), then, out of politeness, it shuld be refrained from.

 

Isn't it something like the word "gay"? I refuse to allow one group to kidnap a perfectly good word such as gay or even pride. I wouldn't go out of my way to use those words in the wrong company, however, but I would never apologize for using them.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I can't think of any way the word "gay" can be used in common conversation today, other than as a derogatory comment, as a joke, or as a homosexual inference. It's not about the word being "kidnapped". Language changes over time, and this word has changed meaning in the last 50 years, whether we like it or not. I generally refrain from using it.

 

then, you are not English!

Cheers,

Jim

 

When I am happy, I am gay. If someone wants to put another connotation on it - oh well. I, too, refuse to let a group rob me of my English words.

I also take 'pride' in some things, such as a job well done...

 

I sit corrected. I was commenting from my "American" chair. I concede that the rules of language here do not necessarily apply to non-American English speakers.

 

I was told that my great-grandfather who was full-blooded English used to say the word "bloody" alot....someone else told me that "bloody" is like saying a cuss word in Britain or the UK....is this true?

 

Nancy, whilst "bloody" is a quite common adjective, it is considered a curse word as generally used...ie: having a bloody good time of it....Not acceptable language in most circles.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Just to be safe I try to stay away from all words that could be considered cuss words. It's really all just a matter of opinion anyways I suppose.

 

The context and usage of a word can make it a cuss word. I will refrain from using examples.

I agree.

As a parent there are words I do not use that most people might not think twice about. We should weigh our words carefully at all times… even online. Using inappropriate language online in a Christian realm is disturbing yet it happens even here. I find inappropriate language online more odious because of the thought process involved opposed to the slip of tongue.

 

One way to bridle our tongue is to feed our mind on the Word of God. God Doen't curse but blesses people.
Offer your tongue to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has been known to use peoples tongues.
Why did the manifestation of tongues happen in ACTS 2 and other places in The book of Acts?
( regardless of ones view on speaking in tongues) Maybe from the beginning of the church age God knew that if he had our tongue he had the rest of us.

 

the hard part about the "cuss" word is that if you have said it all your life before you were saved and your kids have heard it then they are going yo say it too or if they are around others that say them--("f"word or the "D"word or even the "H" word)