Bisky's Twitterling's Scribbles! discussion
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i avoid using words that rhyme with witch or runt
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1- When I was growing up it was considered to be one, yes. So I think it is one of the less offensive swear words.
2- no...(view spoiler)...lol
3- No, I think it is very tame.
4- definitely not, if you add God to it...then it is.
5- I believe it all depends on the context, like (view spoiler)
6- Well, not really. It's so tame, and not at all offensive. Unless you add certain other words to it.
I'll add more answers as I get them (if I get any) but so far it seems like this word is not too offensive.
Oh, and thank you Bisky for not biting my head off for starting this thread. :P
Interesting question, my point of view is quite permissive on this. I am not sure there is anything such as a "bad word". However using certain words within the non-dialogue sections of the writing can be construed as bad writing. Using them within the dialogue however may be almost necessary to give the right feeling to a particular character. I mean I don not want all my characters in novels to have the same social taboos that I have. Its almost inevitable that we will have characters that may end up swearing more than ourselves.I was brought up to think that swearing was the resort of those that cannot express themselves properly otherwise. I think thats true to some extent, but I think what is acceptable and not acceptable has changed so much over the years.
The F word doesn't bother me so much anymore (except when I am watching something when my parents are around - even at my age!). I would use it in writing quite happily , but only within dialogue and only where necessary. I still find the word that rhymes with runt very bad. It has a particular harsh sound and I think its still fairly taboo in most circles. Having said that I would use it in writing (dialogue only) if necessary.
One of the genres I write is historical fiction, with my chosen period being ancient Rome. Now the Romans used to swear a lot and it can be fun trying to put in some swearing in Latin. The swearing in a foreign language especially something like latin seems to be less offensive to the sensibilities. Having said that the word for shut up - 'Tace Te' seems to somehow feel stronger than the english word! Again I think its the sound when you say it out loud - it feels harsh somehow.
I have rambled on longer than I meant to, hopefully I haven't offended anyone!
I was actually having this conversation with a friend yesterday. I have always been of the opinion that words can only influence your mood if you give them the power to do so. There isn't any one word that will offend me. The context in which the word is used is different, but I am mostly offended by snobbery. When one person thinks that they are better than another for no real reason, that's when I want to smack the crap out of someone. I also don't curse much. I prefer to think of more creative ways to insult people if I need to.
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It's like eating too much sugar, you can't even taste the sweetness anymore.
I also think that they should only be seen in dialogues or thoughts, and certainly not in third POV
@Kartik Just thinking about the TV show Spartacus, they sure had a mouthful of those words...
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I only have one answer so far, but I will edit and add them as they come in.
1- I do not consider it swearing though my grandmother would.
2- Frustration? Yes..Cussing no,unless you remember *that shall not take the name of the Lord in vain* But isn't his name Jehovah,or Yahweh, Muhammad Etc? so guess that wouldn't count right??
3- I agree with the "do not take the Lord's name in vain"
4- Yeah, I wouldn't say it. I'm with the person before me.
5- oh (view spoiler)...get out of the way...and let me do it / (view spoiler)....hand me that / (view spoiler).... (view spoiler)(view spoiler)...no sound good too me...lol
(this person seems to love the expression lol)
6- I think that's fine as well. I just don't like (view spoiler). THAT is considered swearing as far as I'm concerned and have never liked it, especially from so called Christians.
I don't think any words are out of bounds, certain stories may leave them out (for example, I use only G-rated language in my current NaNoWriMo project, bcs it is YA fantasy adventure and I want all parents to be okay giving it to their kids), but in my main series I have a female character who drops the F-bomb every single time she speaks. It just depends on the needs of the story.That being said, one thing I do refrain from doing is making jokes about rape, which I find repulsive and unfunny.
@G.G. Spartacus sure did - it was a classic case of too much swearing (and violence and sex) still entertaining and I enjoyed it! I think that may have been a classic case of gratuitous use of swear words, as you say it loses impact and just makes you wince.
Some swearing is fine with me, but when every second word a character (in books or in movies) says is a swear, it gets a bit much and you wonder whether the producuers just threw it in because as kids their mothers washed their mouths out with soap for swearing, and they really wanted to rebel.
I really love all curse words. The intense anger and aggressivness they embody intrigues me. The very movement of your mouth to form the sound of a curse word help me dissipate all fury. When you are alone try saying the F word...really feel it being born of your mouth and vocal cords. Awesome, it is.
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I think curses don't really bother me in writing, but I think they look abit silly if they are over used. Like Debra Morgan in dexter, it was just getting silly in the end.
You can hurt people much more by calling them things like 'fat' and such, I think thats why I'm not overly bothered. I mentioned the two I won't use, but thats a cultural/parental thing.
I have an awful gob IRL.
@j I don't like making jokes about it either. Though, I was talking about a scene in my book that I removed and tamed because I wasn't happy with it and one of my friends described it as a 'struggle cuddle' I laughed, then felt guilty for an hour.
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One of my Vikings friends came and asked me "Whats so offensive about a 'bag of showers' anyway?"
The word for shower here is dusch. Just so everyone knows what to ask for.
:p
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@Bisky What's a gob?? And you felt guilty for removing/taming your scene or because your friend read it untamed?
You mentioned two words you don't use? I missed that?? Don't make me have to read all the posts in Bisky's Twitterings' Scribbles!
@J nope... there are subjects that shouldn't be laughed about. I know people who can't even see the word written anywhere. I won't discuss their reasons, but let's just say that I will not stop reading a book because there is one in it. As long as it doesn't end up being half the book.
@Michael Nothing dirty about dirty. :P
Religious words: I always thought the French Canadians were strong on using religious words left and right, but now I am wondering. Sitting next to my husband when he plays a game feels like I am back in Quebec. :P (And he gets worse as he grows older... oh my!)For me, I still mostly stick to the two words I posted surveys on and maybe a rare (view spoiler) here and there. That's about it. Well... I think...
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Gob means mouth in British slang.
And (view spoiler) are the only two words I don't write because they are particularly bad in England/my family.
And no I wrote in a boarder line sexual assult in a story, then I removed it for something more tame. My friend described the resulting scene as 'more of a struggle cuddle' which made me feel guilty since I laughed.
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Oh ok.. well... if it helps, you laughed at what your friend referred it to, so no need to feel guilty... much :>
I cringe when people use derogatory terms related to race or sexual orientation. Oh, and the term "retard." I don't have a problem using any other type of profanity, and I do in real life and books, but those make me cringe a little.
Bisky, lol. Whatever works for the story.
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Retard: If there is one word I can't stand, it might be that one. Maybe I play too many on-line games where that's the most frequent insult thrown around.
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I told him he was a prime example of the difference between someone who is handicapped and the modern definition of a retard.
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There are certain words I do not use because of their derogatory meanings. Like the ones Bisky mentioned. Unfortunately when angered I can swear like a sailor, but depending on the character in my book depends on how bad his/her language gets.The one that kind of confuses me is some people are insisting shut up is a bad word(s). It may not be nice at times, but to put it in with the others.....?
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Well, as unnice as it might be, sometimes you just gotta say it that way. LOL
@GG, you are totally right, in it being appropriate for certain characters. At this point, I haven't had one, but I'm sure I will and I'll cringe the entire time.@Heidi, I've never managed to say shut up without inserting another less socially acceptable word in the middle.
Oh, and just to add humor to the fact that I often curse like a sailor, it is apparently very amusing to my friends and family. Apparently, I "prissify" each swear word."
What words do you consider taboo? Swear? Bad?
I know that the group rules say no harsh swears or kinky things. So if Bisky permists it, I would ask you all to answer with the (view spoiler)[ BOO! (hide spoiler)] gadget. That way, no one who doesn't want to see the words will see it by accident. This will also protect members with small children who could be in the room at the time of the reading.
To use the spoiler alert message: Before the words you want to hide you have to type < spoiler > (without the space). After the words you will type < /spoiler > again without the spaces. Understood?
Also I'd like it if you would add what age you think someone has to be to read a book with these words. This part shouldn't be hidden.
For example it would be seen this way:
Twelve years old: (view spoiler)[ Hmm I have no idea that is why I am asking. Darn maybe? (hide spoiler)]
Warning: If I find any bad words not hidden by spoiler alert, I will delete the post, so use the preview button to make sure you have it right. If you have any problems using the tag, send me a private message and I will help you out or post it for you, whichever you prefer. Thanks!
(I hope Bisky will not kill me now!)