Fewer F-words, Please

Everywhere I look, there seems to be f-words or f-bombs. It used to be that an f-word would automatically make a movie rated R, but now, it’s okay in PG-13, as long as it is only said a few times (Thinking of The Martian now, which apparently got away with a few more by having the character merely mouth the word silently.)

And sometime in the past five years, it looks like WTH has been replaced with WTF. How did this happen?

Now, I am not a person who uses many swearwords, although a few damns and hells may slip out now and then. I was raised by a sweet, conservative giant of a man who didn’t swear. Instead of a “Damn” or “Hell”, my father would actually say “Swearwords!” in an angry tone, which was his way of making it into a joke. It usually made other people laugh and would lighten the moment.

The problem with the f-word for me is that the word demeans sex, which ideally should be joyous/happy/thrilling/satisfying/fun (take your pick). Also, since sex has the capacity to create life, I think it should be given respect. Not that there shouldn’t be ugly words for ugly things, but when an f-word is used just to make a strong point or to show anger, it makes me sad for the state of humanity.

I don’t see why it is necessary as an adjective, anyway. If someone is referring to an effing person, an effing situation or an effing thing, aren’t there more clear adjectives available?

An irritating boss. A frustrating vacation. A stupid toaster.

That reminds me. In my efforts to raise civilized children, I emphasized not swearing or using unkind labels for people. When they were young, one of them thought “stupid” was the s-word.

I understand that a younger generation wants to be bold, daring and edgy. They want to shock their elders and show how hip they are. Using the f-word seems to be the trendy “look at me, I’m an adult now” language. Since it’s all over the internet, in music and movies and used in high school hallways, I don’t think many of them realize how offensive the language is, or maybe they just don’t give a damn. Oops.

Granted, many people still feel that an “F you” is worse than an “effing noun,” but for me the anger and the hint of violence is still there. I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s funny or clever. And every time I hear it or read it, it is like a slap in my face.

I’m all in favor of freedom of speech, so I won’t say it can’t be used, I just wish it wasn’t used so often. So although I am only one voice in this sea of social media, I make this request for a kinder world: Fewer f-words, please.

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