Proforma ‘Profound’ Profanity

Those who know me in meat space know that I cuss a lot. I cuss like I’ve completely repressed the memories of my grandmother making me take bites out of bars of Ivory soap. I cuss like a sailor (actually I am a sailor and you cuss like me). I cuss like a person who has seen war.

But also I would like to think I am at least slightly more eloquent than the average jarhead who uses ‘fuck’ as a crutch word. I firmly believe that that word, and other words in that vein, have their time and place. Sometimes they are a good way to express anger or frustration. Sometimes they are mean.

I like it when they are sexy.

I would like to think they’re fairly funny when I use them, usually. But… but part of writing is taking at least a little time to choose your words. To pause a moment, or edit, or completely rewrite. And usually I will be able to find a better word than that.

Not always. Not by a long fucking shot. But usually.

Of course, I think this doesn’t apply to quotes or dialogue or poetry. There are words I just don’t use (racial epithets, mostly) and I won’t fake using them. If I’m gonna use a word, I’ll use it, but this site will mostly not see much of that.

How do you use profanity in your day-to-day language and writing?

How do you refer to it (cuss, curse, swear, dirty words, potty language, etc)? I use ‘cuss’ because the meaning is unambiguous. A ‘curse’ might be a hex or spell or other terrible looming doom. Swear and oath can be promises. Dirty and potty can be more literal and feel childish besides. So ‘cuss’ is what I like – what about you?