“People cuss because they aren’t smart enough to come UP with the right words.”
I’d be willing to bet Mama was right even though a recent study is trying to tell us that those who cuss are smarter.
Hmmm.
Mother didn’t approve of swearing, cursing, or “by-words” such as gosh, darn, and gee-whiz.
She said they were substitutes for the real dirty words people used.
I must admit, I’ve used a swear/curse/by-word a time or two in my life.
A recent study of a whopping 1,000 people by the folks at the University of Rochester (I didn’t know Jack Benny’s butler had a school) found the following:
- Intelligent people are more likely to swear than dumb folks (that’s a quote.)
- Smart people are more likely to eat spicy breakfasts.
- Smart people are more inclined to trot around their homes in the buff.
It also determined that extroverts are more inclined to exceed the speed limit, and nice people sing more often in the shower, although I don’t have a clue as to what those two things have to do with swearing.
Again, I’m inclined to agree with Mother.
Sure, sure, a well placed “f-bomb” has accentuated a point from time to time, but it’s the easy way out.
Vulgarities come to mind more quickly. (There are studies that claim that as well.)
There was a time that swearing was rare, just between the guys, in the locker room, or at the beauty shop.
Oh, yes, you know you did.
Now a days, it’s more common.
And many people use curse words for impact. And shock value.
But in today’s workplace, swearing is ill-advised.
I know people who were prematurely retired for dropping the “f-bomb” within in earshot of a client, even though it wasn’t directed at the client.
George Carlin’s seven words you can’t say on the radio holds true even today. Actually, more so today. Seems people are more and more sensitive to the slightest insult these days, so habitual swearers put themselves in jeopardy with “every other word.”
I’m sticking with Mama, she was never wrong, and really, a 1,000-subject study? What’s UP with that?