Swear words are only "naughty" because people get bothered by them. If nobody cringed at "fvck" then it wouldn't get censored. It feels just as good to yell frak, so the word itself has no power. And it's not really the meaning that bothers people since "freaking" means the same thing as "fvcking," but I can say "freaking" around my wife and kids without her yelling at me.
But I don't use swear words because there are still people who are bothered by them. And since I interact with these types of people all the time I don't want to let one slip. I intend to teach this value to my kids.
I used the phrase "pissed off" once with someone who may or may not be one of the easily offended types (didn't know him well enough) and, although he didn't say anything and didn't even flinch, I've wondered if it bothered him.
Incidentally, why are swear words censored on LOT? Since it clear that circumventing the censor is allowed, why even censor?
Anyway, my next move at home is to get people to stop requiring the obligatory "excuse me" after letting out a fart or burp. If I'm burping or farting on purpose I'm not trying to be polite, so saying "excuse me" seems rather pointless. But when I let one rip I get in trouble for not saying "excuse me." I'm sorry, but I just let out a raunchy stinker and a couple words make it all better?
In polite company when something slips out then, yes, I can see reason for saying something. Otherwise, just let 'er rip!
