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The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

How much would your ability to communicate be impacted if you were suddenly unable to use profanity?

Asked by The_Compassionate_Heretic (14634points) November 4th, 2009

Imagine you were ritually cursed so that whenever you swore, no sound came out and you were physical unable to write or type any sort of cussing.

Or whatever, just pretend you can’t swear.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

50 Answers

poofandmook's avatar

I’d be in trouble. Though, I would welcome it, because I’m finding it so hard to break the habit of swearing.

JONESGH's avatar

No, I’d be able to go on with life without swearing.

Dog's avatar

Could I still give the death-glare?

I would do fine without swearing. I usually save it for when I hurt myself doing something stupid anyway.

aprilsimnel's avatar

It would be just fine. It’s not like I use it for every other f&$#în’ word.

Darwin's avatar

I would be just fine. It takes a special effort on my part to communicate with swear words, so it wouldn’t make much difference to me.

However, if that happened to my son I would be delighted!

FutureMemory's avatar

I think it would improve my ability to communicate. I couldn’t rely on all-purpose terms like “shit”, “motherf__” and so on.

marinelife's avatar

No one whit. In fact, it would no doubt improve since I would be forced to employ more precise words as substitutes.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

It would be a very small impact, since I don’t use profanity at all.

DrasticDreamer's avatar

Why the @$#& (#& would you #&% think I couldn’t *(#^%^ communicate without the use of #$&^ profanity? (%#$ man, that’s just so (#&% rude! (&%##$! ($&^($

poisonedantidote's avatar

the word profanity is just pathetic to me. beware the forbidden air vibrations!

if i where not allowed to swear i would refuse to talk at all, deeming all words just as offensive to me as the supposedly offensive curse words. i use them for emphasis, humour and to express anger, they serve a function and there is nothing wrong with them.

PretentiousArtist's avatar

! (&%##$! ($&^($ indeed

Facade's avatar

I think I’d be ok.

oratio's avatar

I seldom do anyway, but since – I gather – every language on the planet contains profanity, there is a universal need for it; something we need to express. Sometimes it’s just abusive though.

RedPowerLady's avatar

When I was 18 I decided not to curse anymore. And for two years I didn’t say a single curse word. Eventually I consciously decided to start swearing again, I can’t even remember for what reason, I think that is when I started college partying (lol). So that is a long way of saying I don’t think I would be so greatly affected by it.

janbb's avatar

I like to use the occasional swear word for color and emphasis but I have numerous other tastelessly ostentatious words in my arsenal that I could use in their stead.

dpworkin's avatar

I can write and speak both ways with ease. Generally I don’t censor myself unless there is some compelling need, so I use “bad” language generally when my hackles are raised.

fireinthepriory's avatar

Oh maaaaaan I would get so frustrated in the lab!

To explain, I am I biologist, and I study fish. Often, they do not do what I want them to do (e.g. get gravid, notice the video I’m playing for them, build nests, let me net them) and I often resort to calling them “little f*ckers” etc. in order to get out my frustration. I very rarely swear otherwise, but my little fishes get the brunt of my bad language.

Supacase's avatar

Not at all. My vocabulary is large enough to carry me through. I am sure some other word would present itself when I stub my toe.

mcbealer's avatar

you realize… the answer to this would totally depend on what time of the month it is…

dpworkin's avatar

(by the way, hackles™ is a trademark of @janbb)

Darwin's avatar

@fireinthepriory – Sounds as if you have first-hand experience with the basic rule of biological research:

“Whenever an experimental animal is supposed to do something, it won’t.”

Some people put it as:

“Whenever an experimental animal is supposed to do something, it dies.”

I have also experienced it as:

“Whenever an animal being studied in the field is supposed to do something, it waits until the last possible moment so you always miss your plane.”

janbb's avatar

@pdworkin You’re fucking right, it is!

Val123's avatar

Not at all. I didn’t cuss around my kids, and that became a habit that spilled into my everyday life, even if I didn’t have them.

jbfletcherfan's avatar

I’d be fine. Granted, I’d have to think about it, but I’d cope. I sure would miss ‘oh shit’, tho

Darwin's avatar

Does stuff like “Geez, Louise” and “Boy, Howdy” count? That is what my parents taught me to use.

Dr_C's avatar

In this scenario do i know sign language?
otherwise i’m fucked

jbfletcherfan's avatar

@Darwin nope. That doesn’t even come close.

fireinthepriory's avatar

@Darwin Hahaha, yes indeed! I don’t think I’ll continue with behavior for my Ph.D… it’s too frustrating, and I just don’t have the patience. I like DNA because it can’t move. :D

nxknxk's avatar

Nothing would change really. I’d just be very silent when playing video games.

Mat74UK's avatar

It’d fooking affect me shit loads!

augustlan's avatar

I’d be in deep fucking shit.

jeffgoldblumsprivatefacilities's avatar

Fuck yes it would.

Shit.

YARNLADY's avatar

I don’t use profanity or even substitute words. If I could still say “Plutoid” that’s all I would need.

avvooooooo's avatar

I’d be very, very sad. Dammit.

aprilsimnel's avatar

Hey, can I still say “bloody” and “bugger all” and “bollocks” and “wanker”?

YARNLADY's avatar

@aprilsimnel probably not wanker

aprilsimnel's avatar

How about “gobshite”?

The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

@aprilsimnel Assume “no” for this discussion.

jeanna's avatar

It would only really impact my writing; my writing is raw and I feel that certain words are needed in some of it. I’d be alright if I couldn’t speak those words any longer, but it would definitely not make me happy. How sad is it that I feel that way? Damnit.

avvooooooo's avatar

After long reflection, I think I’d be fucking pissed.

Val123's avatar

@cussooooooooooo BAD person! How in the hell many times do I have to tell you not to CUSS, damn it!

janbb's avatar

@Val123 Those tamales sure spiced you up! I’ll have what she’s having.

Dog's avatar

Today I learned that it is impossible for me to put up the Christmas lights without swearing…

Val123's avatar

@janbb O no! People are stalking me and my tamales! she teased me for misspelling her “name” on a PM! How in the hell do you mispell “avvoooooooooooooooooooooooo”?? So I said, “I’ll show you what misspelling is!” :)

avvooooooo's avatar

@Val123 About 86 more fuckin’ times!!!

poofandmook's avatar

@Dog: Is that you in the 12 Pains of Christmas? :D

Dog's avatar

@poofandmonk Yes! I forgot about that song. Now I have to download it! Thanks

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