(01-07-2019, 11:25 PM)TJBender Wrote: I just appreciate any opportunity to give the swear filters a good workout. But I do think that the concept of "bad words" is antiquated when referring to general euphemisms and not words directed at others.

Every language and culture reserves taboo words.

Kids grow up thinking that they should avoid saying those words because not saying that makes them good people. Grown ups tell us to say pee and poo and darn and heck, and they reassure us that those words mean the same thing, and only mean idiot would use the vulgar word instead of the nice one.

But if there's really nothing special about the vulgar words, why don't the kids, when they grow up, teach their kids that all words are okay?

It's more complicated. there's something about these words that adults know but most can't really explain. We save these words and only say them sometimes when we are really extremely angry. Having those words available in those moments, and using them then and only then is probably the most effective way to communicate that particular emotion.

And we shouldn't be getting that angry on this internet forum. So I say long live the filter.

---