"The Curse Word Challenge"

[Dennis]

I am writing a new science thriller, the Tasty Bomb [www.TastyBomb.com] in which an eccentric main character, having been reprimanded for her foul mouth, has decided to employ non-curse words in her vocabulary as substitutes. The "Curse word" Challenge: come up with words whose sound makes them satisfying curses in times of anger or frustration. Examples:
Fricassee!
Pork chop!
Chopstick!

[Shanna]

A southern favorite- Dadgummit! ;-)

[Carole]

dang it

[Erica]

Horse feathers
Fudge
Dad blasted
Son of a biscuit/nutcracker

[Carole]

schizer
shoot
Son of a gun
Shut the front door
Blast it
Bugger it

[D.J.]

Botheration

[Carole]

frigging

[D.J.]

Buggeration

[C.]

Shoitzbakkensonzuvabeechram is what I made up in real life when I wanted to say SoB back when I didn't have such a potty mouth.

Cussing in fantasy worlds can be interesting to develop. I usually try basing it on things people either revere or despise.

[Dennis]

Thanks everyone, these are great.

I had an English teacher in high school that said swearing just showed you were illiterate and not able to come up with a proper curse.

One of my all time favorite curses was a doctor I worked with who said, of a not so popular nurse, "I hope she has a miserable menopause."

Stay warm,
Joni

[Carole]

lol.

They say cursing is a crutch for the dimwitted.

[Ellis]

The story goes that George Patton said a gentleman should be able to curse for three minutes without repeating himself. I'm inclined to agree.

[Carole]

Personally, I like an old Will Shakespeare curse any day of the week.

[Sela]

I've heard plenty of studies indicating that people who curse tend to have higher IQs. ;) ( https://www.sciencealert.com/swearing... )

That said, I do think it's best to pick and choose the right words - foul or not - for maximum impact, and I've written books with and without cursing, depending on the audience and the mood of the story.

I did develop a language for my SFR series and got to make up some fun swear words! So I got to call the bad guy a geitfandene arsel instead of a goatf***ing a**hole. LOL!

[Carole]

lol.