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What is profanity?

Archaic

Archaic

黒い王様
Archaic - Webmaster Scorbunny Fan Sprigatito Fan
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  1. He/Him
So, earlier today, I made an almost-as-rare-as-Archaic-posting-in-misc post on PokéGym...and received an infraction. Well, a warning really, since it was listed as a 0 point infraction, but an infraction nevertheless. Specifically, this infraction was for "use of profanity". To wit, my use of the word "hell" in my post, in the phrase "annoying as hell".

Now, I know we have a fairly liberal attitude to such things around here, we don't even have the profanity filter enabled, but even at my most politically correct, I don't think I've ever considered the word "hell" to be profanity. A bit crude and crass perhaps, but not profanity.

Now, granted, Australia as a society is fairly loose about these sorts of things. I'm given to understand for instance that "bloody" is considered profanity in some circles for instance, while we here would feel so comfortable with the term that Politicians use it in TV interviews during election run-ups casually and without fear. So given that I might not be the most unbiased observer here, I ask you all, where would you draw the line?
 
Personally, I'd have to say the only word that truly comes to mind as "profane" for me would be the "f" word. Basically, I don't think that just throwing it around any and everywhere is a-okay.

Beyond that, words like damn are no big deal, and the "b" word isn't so bad even IMO. Bur regardless, the word hell is definitely not inappropriate as far as I'm concerned. Just my opinion though.
 
Profanity begins (For me) at the world c**p; h*** is a curse word IMO, along with bloody h***; d***, unless you're talking about beaver dams >.> But that's just how I was raised, saying f*** would warrant a profanity infraction IMO.
 
Personally I'm pretty open to swearing. I was raised with it causally, so even the f-bomb doesn't phase me. About the only one that does anymore is c**t, but mostly because I usually only hear it used in a derogatory fashion.

That's where I draw the line between profanity and swearing. I'm totally cool for it being used in passing about some event or something like that, but once you start using it to hurt or degrade someone or a group of people, that's where I draw the line. It's all about the intention. Describing a situation as annoying as hell or joking around with friends while playing video games or something fun, it's cool. If you start cursing at someone with the intention to insult and demean them, then you've crossed the line.
 
I'm one who believes profanity doesn't exist. It is one of many things that is nothing more than an idea, that is unique to each person, with no strict code governing it outside of the entertainment industry. If something has a definition that is unique to the mind each person, when looked at from a global perspective, it doesn't exist.

I, personally, never draw the line at which word is profane. I typically write the way I talk. I typically use those dreadful four-letter-words. I see what we have deemed "swears" as no worse than any other word. They are simply a series of grunts we have decided are vulgar.
 
Archaic said:
Where does something stop just being a curse word and become an actual profanity however? Do you see there being a distinction between the two?
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Hmmm, okay, well in that sense, I'd have to say that, maybe, losing during a video game or stubbing your toe or something and, in reaction, shouting "F**k!" would not be, IMO, profane.

However, telling someone who's angered you to "F**k off" could be considered profane. So yeah, maybe it's not so much the word itself but the context in which it's used then.
 
To me profanity and cursing are almost the same. It's when it's used in a harmful manner to another person (present or not) that it crosses the line. Sometimes though it's just a good reliever! XD
 
I think profanity would be considered something that is derogatory or demeaning to someone. I mean, I was raised around people who use profanity frequently, so I don't really mind it that much. But I think that you're crossing the line with words like bitch and the N swear which I refuse to say. But dropping the F bomb every once in awhile is fine. As long as you're not using it every other word. Even hell shouldn't be considered a swear. [Unless you're using it with something like "Go to hell."]
 
I draw the line around sh*t and maybe damn. It all depends on who you're with really. I suppose even saying crap around your grandmother would be considered bad but if you are around your friends and say damn I don't think (pardon the pun) anyone would really give a damn. I only find most profanity offensive when it is intended to offend.
I also don't think that infraction was deserved.
 
Hell is profianity? What're they smoking on? It was mild enough to be used in a 4kids dub.

Honestly, I don't consider hell to be profianity. It's technically a place, according to Christian religion (I think...). That'd be like getting in trouble for saying Ohio.

Now, the only things I'd consider serios profianity are fuck, c***, possibly shit, and any racial slurs.


Then again, I may not be the best person to ask, considering that my first word ever spoken was 'shit'...
 
Im confused.. how can Archaic get an infraction at all if hes an adminastrator.. even more.. the creator of this website?
 
I don't draw any lines, so I say whatever comes out... The way I see it, if it can be said on television during the day, NOT SWEARING.
 
ShinyHunter said:
Im confused.. how can Archaic get an infraction at all if hes an adminastrator.. even more.. the creator of this website?
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I got an infraction (more a warning, as I said, since it was a 0 point infraction) on a different Pokémon website.

I know the concept of other Pokémon websites is a little hard to grasp, when you've been around Bulbagarden & the Bulbapedia for a while. ;)
 
Archaic said:
I got an infraction (more a warning, as I said, since it was a 0 point infraction) on a different Pokémon website.

I know the concept of other Pokémon websites is a little hard to grasp, when you've been around Bulbagarden & the Bulbapedia for a while. ;)
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haha thanks for clearing things up archaic.. my head was spinning for a little while ;)
 
To me, "damn" and "hell" are very mild, but then again something is different for everyone. For me, profanity is defined as four of the "seven dirty words" as defined by George Carlin.

Archaic, I thank you muchly for starting this thread!
 
Well obviously, profanity is subjective. I consider the word "hell" to be profanity when it's not being used to describe Hell itself. Same as damn, crap, or any of the other minor swears.

Doesn't stop me from swearing like a sailor, though. I use pretty much any foul word that isn't a prejudiced slur.
 
Nicoleta01 said:
Profanity begins (For me) at the world c**p; h*** is a curse word IMO, along with bloody h***; d***, unless you're talking about beaver dams >.> But that's just how I was raised, saying f*** would warrant a profanity infraction IMO.
Click to expand...

Chip? Chup? Chimp? I do not know a swear word that starts with C and ends in P, unless you misspelled a woman's private downstairs area....

Hell and Damn are not profane words, they are used when angered or annoyed. I'd say "OH F***!*" if I was angry, and a whole range of profane words to show how angry I am.
 
Sexual slang, the Lord's name in vain (things to do with God, Jesus, Hell, etc).
 
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