Consequences of Employment of Foul Language in Inappropriate Situations Over Time By Our Society | nyxii's Blog

There are times when it is appropriate to employ foul language (curses, swearing, shocking phrases). When it serves to express an appropriate level of emotion, and nothing else quite cuts it, or when one is in sudden physical pain (ex. stubbing your toe, hitting your thumb with a hammer). When the company you're surrounded by expects it of you and you're being tactful, matching their level of emotion or sympathizing with them for their severe misfortune ("that's f*****g shameful, what a sh***y thing to happen to a good person, eh?").

However, our overuse of these very useful foul phrases, and our lack of discrimination in our usage as to the appropriate situations, is depriving these words & phrases of their rightful power. It's like the word "love". We overuse that word and now it means so little, because we love these shoes and we love these pretzels and we love that television show and we love how that colour goes with your dress. Foul words & phrases are being similarly deprived of their drive & power, through overuse and misuse, and are already deep into the process of becoming no more than mundane, commonplace indicator of unclassy personality and a lack of civility.