In Central Australia, we swear in normal, everyday usage; especially tradies1. I think it’s a honest, expressive and to the point. I’m now living in the USA and they do not have an affinity to swearing in everyday use.
In the USA, I found that using words like “Shit”, “F*ck” or even “God” seems to offend the listener. But, if I use words like “darn” “gosh” and “fudge”, there’s no shock reaction.
So, how do I communicate my confusion to the locals here? And why do the folks in the USA did so this, replacement of swear words instead of coming right out with them. I learnt that the term for these word replacements, these euphemisms are known as “Minced Oaths2”. I had never heard of this term until moving to the USA. I think that’s the case because, I’ve not needed to, nor done that before.
In the USA these Minced Oaths are used everywhere! Examples I found are:
Gosh Darn it - God damn it
Dang it - Damn it
Friggin - F*cking
Oh my Gosh - Oh My God
Don’t worry there is a few in other English’s as well:
Christ - Crikey (Australia)
Feck - F*ck (Irish)
Strewth - God’s Truth (Australian)
Blimey - God blind me (UK)
I admit, reeling myself in to not swear out and about has been challenging but a good one. I’m forced to find other words, normally outside of my vocabulary, to fully express myself and utilize.
I do not like using a minced oaths to add impact; it’s not enough. Swearing, when placed correctly can be great; showing frustration or used to enhance a punch line in a joke.
From my observation, when searing is not normally used, when its suppressed, like in the USA, it’s used either ineffectively or incorrectly.
One example that stands out for me is in the TV show Altered Carbon. In Season 1 Episode 2 we see Miriam Bancroft seducing Takeshi Kovac in his bedroom. Miriam Bancroft uses the NT tourism slogan while seducing Kovac and for me, it was jarring to have that attack your ears in a supposedly ‘seductive’ scene. It threw me off and I went: “Well that scene was weird.” The C-Word is used as a vulgar way to refer to a woman’s genitals. If you’ve read my review of the Pussypedia3, you’ll know where I am going. That word is too abrasive and used, especially in Australia, in angry frustration. With this usage, it’s linking a hostile expression with the most beautiful part of the female body, in my opinion.
I feel that if the suppression of swearing was lifted more in the USA, there would be a surge of usage I am sure. But after a time, it would settle down and because of the common usage, just be a part of language. But it needs time to be used and understood. Once the words are used and understood, I think that the populous will be able to use swear words with more accuracy in their speech.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-to-treat-tradies-according-to-tradies/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minced_oath
Book Review: PussyPedia
Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back - I saw this bright pink, bold, book at the bookstore; so I decided to buy it. Now I’ve read it, I’ve got some opinions on it and have decided to share my review of the Pussypedia.
Well fuck, that seems pretty fucking spot on about these (us?) ignorant fuckers... lol. I mean, the hole, eerr umm whole (throw back), a rose by any other name bit. From what I gather, some feel its less "profane, evil, or more acceptable religious wise", despite their same underlying feelings behind whatever word they chose is the same. Have a good freaking day!