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The use of profane language is common in today’s society. It’s hard to walk down the street without hearing “d---” or “s---,” and these words no longer faze listeners. So the big question is, what the “f---” is with all the cursing?
Originally, profane language consisted of words a person wouldn’t use in church, according to eHow.com. These words were viewed as blasphemy. Western culture rapidly evolved, and more words and phrases were added to the list of profanity. Most of these words correlated with an educated lower class.
So how, then, did these words and phrases become acceptable?
Over time, the way people use curse words has changed. The Baby Boomer generation used “s---” and “d---,” and even their following generation steered clear of the then-rude and distasteful F-bomb. Today’s generation, however, says whatever they want. They even make up new words and phrases. It isn’t hard to find a person that can use a string of profane words to create a new sentence.
Movies reflect the trend of profanity through the years. PG-13 movies have a language restriction, but even that has become more lax over time. 20 years ago, PG-13 movies would never have used the F-word, but now they do. Television has changed as well. During certain hours, you can flip through channels and hear very strong, profane words.
Students had a variety of theories as to why people now use curse words so much.
“People use the words to get their points across,” said UWG student Alex Singleton.
This seems to be true. Think of how many times somebody has yelled, “Shut the f--- up,” or “Kiss my a--.”
“Some people do it to relieve stress,” said student Andrew Burt. “They don’t know how to use adjectives anymore.”
Fellow UWG student Robbie Adams said there was a difference between how today’s society sees profanity and how language was seen even 30 years ago.
“It is just not really looked down upon anymore,” said Adams.
However, modern society still agrees on one thing: it just isn’t good manners to use profanity. If someone let slip with a “h---” or “d---” at a black-tie event, or if a man slipped up at dinner with his girlfriend’s parents, they would still be considered rude.
Why does modern society use profane language more often? How can this problem be fixed – and is it even a problem? What does it say about society? The answers to these questions aren’t set in stone, but the topic does need to be discussed. We live in this society, and it is our duty to fix it.
So, what the “f---” is with all of the cursing?
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