Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Stompy
"Bad" words are only bad because your parents told you they are. Remember that... there's absolutely no reason WHATSOEVER to treat these as taboo. Until a reason is provided, they should be treated just like any other word in any language.
|
You used "reason" and "taboo" in the same sentance, as if taboos are supposed to have "reasons" behind them.
Most taboos are just taboos. Social rules that, by following them, you indicate you are aware of the cultural norms, and you are part of whatever "in" group follows those norms.
The "reason" you follow taboos is just that -- signalling you understand and follow social norms. That is why men don't walk around naked, don't wear frilly dresses, why women rarely go topless, etc.
Swearing is one taboo that was hijacked and used as a signal of belonging in some sub-groups. I'd suspect that the anti-establishment youth movement in the late 60s used swearing to declair "I don't care about your social rules", creating a seperate social heirarchy that was easier to get to the top of.
Another common thing that goes on is denegrating other in-groups and the signals they use. People want their own group to be better than other groups.
The thing is, in western society, most of the most powerful groups consider swearing taboo. The swear-words are not all that important -- they don't matter -- while not using them lets you influence or manipulate those powerful groups more effectively.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by TexanAvenger
The idea of bad words was created by people who didn't want to hear the strong arguments and harsh words of others.
|
This is the first I've ever heard this theory. And it doesn't match my knowledge of swear words -- I thought a bunch of the swear taboo, in western society at least, came from "thou shall not take JHVH's name in vain".