i have a colloquialism question for americans

[Danny]

Why do americans treat the term "god damn BLANK" as something as bad as calling someone a cunt?
I hear U.S folks on podcasts say like "well GeeDee it" or something. why?
if you feel that strongly about something it doesn't seem to be denigrating, nor using the christian gods name in vain since its sighting said name as the highest authority to condemn something as bad. So if you want god to 'damn' something for being awful doesn't that mean a measure of respect to the name as a force of good? if so then why self censor it? surely the word 'god' is not a 'bad word' like the aforementioned 'cunt' or even something as mild as shit or fuck.

If it was something that was directed at the christian god in a predominantly christian country in a denigrating way then id get it. but i heard a man say to a pedophile who tried to abuse his kid "g-o-d damn you you sick piece of shit". When i would say saying "god damn you" then would be quite accurate and earnest and is a perfectly good time to use their lords name with reason and in a correct way.

I mean you dont say "president damn you!" or "oprah damn you!" yknow? :lol:

I guess its just one of those very alien things that, when looking at from a different perspective, seems so odd.

[JDFP]

You have to realize we were created as a Puritan nation and in many ways we're still very puritanical as a nation. I regularly use damn, shit, and what not but even if I use G.D. in writing I'll generally put a slash as G-d just out respect. Saying it is seen as taking the Lord's name in vain and at least here in eastern Tennessee where fundamentalist roots are strong it's probably a worse thing to say as opposed to cunt or anything else for that matter because with these words you're not taking the Lord's name in vain. To foreigners I can certainly understand how this could be seen as confusing.

Another fascinating thing about America is our obsession with sexuality. You can have as much violence as you want and cussing and bloodshed. But, Heaven forbid you show a fully undressed woman or man in a highly provocative way! Killing someone violently and showing tons of blood is perfectly acceptable -- showing a sexual situation with "too much skin" is a "no no!'. This, I believe, also goes back to our Puritanical roots as a nation. Most Americans are not comfortable with sexuality in a way Europeans are and even if we watch porn it's something we close our blinds while doing and don't announce to the rest of the world (not, ahem, saying I would ever do such a thing just as an example).

j.p.

[clanglee]

It's a combination of puritanical morals and a misunderstanding of the curse. But for the most part, Protestant Christians in America don't like to mix God up in their cursing. No matter what is said. Now many Catholics, and especially fallen Catholics like myself, are quite fond of taking the lords name in vain. As a matter of fact we just go ahead and use God's name as the expletive itself! "Jesus!" or "Christ!" or "Jesus Christ!!!" are pretty common replacements for more base words such as Shit or Fuck. I have even seen Christ used as an expletory adjective or adverb. . . .as in. . . . . "I am tired of dealing with this Christing mess!!"

[Danny]

so outside of church or prayer is it the american opinion that using the name 'god' in any instance is 'taking it in vain'? I know thats one of the ten commandments but i dont quite get when using a name is in vain, maybe if it was like a charlatan preacher conning folks for money or something it would be, but if a person believed in them it just a title of address isnt it?

[shootemindehead]

Why do americans treat the term "god damn BLANK" as something as bad as calling someone a cunt?.

This is really bizare. I was going to ask something very similar.

[JDFP]

so outside of church or prayer is it the american opinion that using the name 'god' in any instance is 'taking it in vain'? I know thats one of the ten commandments but i dont quite get when using a name is in vain, maybe if it was like a charlatan preacher conning folks for money or something it would be, but if a person believed in them it just a title of address isnt it?

No, only invoking God's name in a demeaning or negative way would be how I believe most would classify something as taking the Lord's name in vain (i.e. for vain purposes such as your personal betterment or pleasure at the displeasure or harm of another individual and invoking God's name for this purpose). Saying "God bless you!" to someone wouldn't be taking the Lord's name in vain unless you were doing it in a mocking gesture as in really underlying what you're saying you're really saying: "Go to Hell!". In that case, it would be taking the Lord's name in vain as well which would be just as bad as saying G.D.

EDIT: Calling someone a 'blank' is no doubt a bad thing, but invoking God's wrath on someone is not only insulting the individual but calling upon God to bring displeasure on an individual as your personal bidding for your own pleasure and thus not only insulting the individual in question but also insulting God as well (in effect, a far worse thing on yourself because you're not only insulting an individual but God as well). This is from an American perspective of course.

j.p.

[clanglee]

Well. . .yeah. . any disrespectful use of God's name would be "in vain". Using it to curse someone else could be seen as very disrespectful, not to mention presumptive. I would imagine God would be rather upset to see the amount of people that presume to tell him which of his children do and do not require his damning. ;)

-- -------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------


Saying "God bless you!" to someone wouldn't be taking the Lord's name in vain unless you were doing it in a mocking gesture as in really underlying what you're saying you're really saying: "Go to Hell!". In that case, it would be taking the Lord's name in vain as well which would be just as bad as saying G.D.

j.p. This would be assuming that God has an understanding of Sarcasm. . . . which would be rough on most Christians, because that would leave a lot of the Bible up to even more interpretation.

[JDFP]

[/COLOR] This would be assuming that God has an understanding of Sarcasm. . . . which would be rough on most Christians, because that would leave a lot of the Bible up to even more interpretation.

I think God has an excellent sense of sarcasm myself and a wicked dark sense of humor, but that's just my belief. I'd think God would know when you're mocking Him no matter how you go about saying something.

j.p.

[Mr. Clean]

"God damn you" = "Go to Hell" or "See you in Hell"

Personally, "Go f*ck yourself" works just great for me. :)

[JDFP]

I love how we've all collectively chipped in to help clean up the board of foul language recently! :sneaky::elol:

j.p.

[clanglee]

I think God has an excellent sense of sarcasm myself and a wicked dark sense of humor, but that's just my belief. I'd think God would know when you're mocking Him no matter how you go about saying something.

j.p.

Well that would explain the story of Isaac. . . . ."Dude!!! You thought I meant it? Oh Abraham, go kill your son!! Oh my g. . . . .well. . . oh me!!! That is freaking hilarious!!! No seriously, put down the axe man. For real. . . .oh man . . .you crack me up!!"

[bassman]

I've never really thought about it, but 'c*nt' really is looked upon as the worst of the two. Weird. The only people I usually see censoring 'God d*mn'(leaving out lettters for neil :p) are the strict christians. The kind that act like they're perfect little beings, but you know they've got some deep, dark secrets in their closet. But don't question it....they're quick to call you a sinner and condemn you for your sins. All the while they're fondeling their little sister or some sh*t. Ugh....religion....

I personally don't care about 'GD' and probably use it too much in every day conversations.

[shootemindehead]

Being Irish, I tend to curse a lot. A LOT...and one word that offends like no other is c*nt. It's amazing the effect that single word has on people. Obviously the constituion of the word itself has a lot to do with it's impact. It's a strong sounding word. Sharp and full of focus, with a direct meaning usually. But, it's no sharper than f*ck really. It's just that f*ck is a more commonly used expletive.

Women especially hate the word being used. But, I think that that's just a rather chauvanistic response. They usually don't bat an eyelid over the use of bol*cks, d*ck, pr*ck, etc. But say the C word and a whole other level is brought into play.

Personally, I don't believe any person should let curse words have any power over them at all.

[rongravy]

I mean you dont say "president damn you!" or "oprah damn you!" yknow? :lol:

My kid was watching Glee and they were covering, horribly I might add, a song from Wham. I told her it was sacrilege. Then we had a goddamn chat about the word's usage. I told her I was going to start saying Wham-damn-it, as I told her that Wham was GAWD in mein eyes.


Another fascinating thing about America is our obsession with sexuality. You can have as much violence as you want and cussing and bloodshed. But, Heaven forbid you show a fully undressed woman or man in a highly provocative way! Killing someone violently and showing tons of blood is perfectly acceptable -- showing a sexual situation with "too much skin" is a "no no!'. This, I believe, also goes back to our Puritanical roots as a nation. Most Americans are not comfortable with sexuality in a way Europeans are and even if we watch porn it's something we close our blinds while doing and don't announce to the rest of the world (not, ahem, saying I would ever do such a thing just as an example).

I'm comfortable with my schnizz. I just really don't care for sex in movies for the sake of drawing in people who just want to see tits and ass. If it actually has meaning to the plot, then go for it. As far as the porn thing, it's a good idea to keep the blinds drawn for the sake of kids not having to see me stick fighting with Lil Beavis with my pants down around my ankles... It's called courtesy towards others, especially the little ones.

Being Irish, I tend to curse a lot. A LOT...and one word that offends like no other is c*nt. It's amazing the effect that single word has on people. Obviously the constituion of the word itself has a lot to do with it's impact. It's a strong sounding word. Sharp and full of focus, with a direct meaning usually. But, it's no sharper than f*ck really. It's just that f*ck is a more commonly used expletive.

Women especially hate the word being used. But, I think that that's just a rather chauvanistic response. They usually don't bat an eyelid over the use of bol*cks, d*ck, pr*ck, etc. But say the C word and a whole other level is brought into play.

Over here, it's the word bitch. Everytime I've said it to a chick, they go apeshit. Cunt is kind of rare, at least where I'm at, to be heard. Not sure they'd know how to react to it.:p
I'm not Irish, but I cuss like a sailor. No matter how hard I try to curb it. Get me wound up and see, lol.

[blind2d]

Good topic.
As for myself, I don't see it censored in American movies or TV unless they're also censoring words like...
Actually, I don't have anything to say. Don't listen to me.

[bassman]

As for myself, I don't see it censored in American movies or TV unless...

Actually, i've noticed that they'll take out the "god" portion. It's perfectly fine to say "damn you... (blank)", but they'll edit it if it's connected to the imaginary guy in the sky? :confused:

[JDFP]

but they'll edit it if it's connected to the imaginary guy in the sky? :confused:

Well, you have to figure, there are plenty of us that don't consider God to be some "imaginary guy in the sky" and for those of us who don't it can be seen as offensive to speak of God in such a way. Granted, I think that's someone being overly sensitive, depending upon circumstances, but it's no more sensitive when being directed at someone than using the "n" word towards African Americans or calling a woman a "c" -- if anything, it's seen as worse towards many religious because it's not only insulting someone else but God as well.

I'm not saying I'm overly sensitive regarding it, because I don't really give a shit, but I can understand where a lot of these folks are coming from. I think it's just a matter of respect too. I wouldn't call an African American the "n" word or a woman the "c" word just as I wouldn't use G.D. in respect to religious or people who believe faith is, like me, more than some "imaginary guy in the sky" as others believe.

j.p.

[bassman]

I see what you're saying, but there's a big difference between talking about god and directly offending the person that's in front of you. As you said, calling a black person the 'n word' or a woman a 'c*nt' is offensive to them because your actually directing it to them in person, but with 'GD' your talking about a part of their religion. I understand that some people take they're religion seriously, most of them taking it WAY too seriously, but there's a big difference, imo.

You curse or make fun of my beliefs and i'll just shrug my shoulders and go about my way. That's why they're MY beliefs and not yours. You curse at me or a loved one and it's totally different scenario. In that sense I don't see why television edits 'GD' but not say, sh*thead, p*ssy, etc. I would rather my daughter hear 'GD' over some of the other things allowed on TV.

On top of that....why edit 'GD' but not anything that offends any other religion? I realize the US is a 'christian nation', but why only stop at christianity? I'm fairly certain they let those kinds of things slide by if it's any other religion...

[rongravy]

In my high school media class, we had a daily radio show thangie on the public access channel. One day I played Dave from Cheech and Chong. There's one part where Cheech says,"It's me, Dave, now would you open the goddamn door?!?!?"
I was kicked out of the class immediately, until I convinced them that I didn't know that word was a no no. That was one of many no no's I did, and I wasn't allowed to come back the next semester.
He was worried about our show getting pulled in our first year of even having that class, like anyone ever listened to it. Woops.
On tv they censor the word because sponsors will pull out if'n you don't. Too bad other, less sensitive, sponsors don't often step in to fill the void.
$$$

[Publius]

You curse or make fun of my beliefs and i'll just shrug my shoulders and go about my way. That's why they're MY beliefs and not yours. You curse at me or a loved one and it's totally different scenario. In that sense I don't see why television edits 'GD' but not say, sh*thead, p*ssy, etc.

What channel do you watch that censors GD but not sh*thead? I strongly doubt the FCC would find the latter acceptable. As a matter of fact, the FCC has generally ruled that GD is not legally profane, but frequently finds variations of sh*t to be legally indecent.


On top of that....why edit 'GD' but not anything that offends any other religion?

Such as? Substantive criticism of religion is not censored, just casual profanity. I'm not aware of any profanities in current usage that refer to specific other religions. If anything, gratuitous insults against other religions are less tolerated than gratuitous insults against Christianity. Compare controversy over the depiction of Jesus Christ on South Park (practically none) to controversy over the depiction of Mohammed on South Park (hugely controversial, and censored by Comedy Central).

[rongravy]

Compare controversy over the depiction of Jesus Christ on South Park (practically none) to controversy over the depiction of Mohammed on South Park (hugely controversial, and censored by Comedy Central).
The funniest thing about that was the fact that they had shown a depiction of him already in Super Best Friends and nobody cared then...

[Eyebiter]

Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.

[shootemindehead]

But, wouldn't that not be more like "To hell with god" or "God is a boll*cks", rather than invoking god's damnation upon something.

[JDFP]

But, wouldn't that not be more like "To hell with god" or "God is a boll*cks", rather than invoking god's damnation upon something.

No, because you're calling upon God's name for the detriment of someone else for your own vain pleasure. Thus, you're vainly calling upon God's name.

j.p.

[AcesandEights]

I was wondering this but didn't get to chime in till now: anyone know if the Quebecois 'sacres' are more of a culturally unique form of swearing, or do the French swear like that as well? I mean, no one really says sacrebleu in France anymore...or do they? I don't know, as I've only skirted through France very briefly on my way to the Benelux countries and don't know jack about the language.

[clanglee]

I was wondering this but didn't get to chime in till now: anyone know if the Quebecois 'sacres' are more of a culturally unique form of swearing, or do the French swear like that as well? I mean, no one really says sacrebleu in France anymore...or do they? I don't know, as I've only skirted through France very briefly on my way to the Benelux countries and don't know jack about the language.

I have a friend from Camaroon, and he predominiately speaks french. He often says Mon Dieu. But he had never even heard of Sacrebleu. . . .so who knows

[AcesandEights]

Interesting. Yeah, anything that is sacred can pretty much be profane in Quebecois French.

This is the best explanation I could find (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_profanity) to illustrate what I mean.

As an example:

A very strong way to express anger or frustration is to use the words tabarnac, sacrament, and câlice . Depending on the context and the tone of the phrases, it might make everybody quiet, but some people use those words to add rhythm or emphasis to sentences.

[clanglee]

Interesting. Yeah, anything that is sacred can pretty much be profane in Quebecois French.

This is the best explanation I could find (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_profanity) to illustrate what I mean.

As an example:
Very much like Us adding "Holy" before our swears. ie "Holy Hell" or "Holy Shit"

[MikePizzoff]

Why do americans treat the term "god damn BLANK" as something as bad as calling someone a cunt?

I've never thought saying "god damn you" was anywhere even remotely near saying "you're a cunt". Am I alone on this?

[AcesandEights]

I've never thought saying "god damn you" was anywhere even remotely near saying "you're a cunt". Am I alone on this?

That is true. I think we use the profane more often in our swearing and it has lost a lot of impact, while the word cunt is a strong, attention-getter and a great way to piss women off and come across as generally coarse. Like most words of the sort, it's not the best arrow in the quiver of insults, more of an exclamation point to add to an already well crafted affront. In fact, I never use cunt as just an exclamatory swear, it's always as an insult.

At least, that's my take on it.

[bassman]

What channel do you watch that censors GD but not sh*thead? I strongly doubt the FCC would find the latter acceptable. As a matter of fact, the FCC has generally ruled that GD is not legally profane, but frequently finds variations of sh*t to be legally indecent.

It may only be after a certain hour of the evening, but sh*t is commonly used on television now. Hell....I remember South Park having an entire episode that counted how many times the word was used. This was around the time the ratings board finally let up on the restrictions. Maybe 5 or so years ago? That's allowed, but they bleep out the "God" portion of GD, from what i've seen.



Such as? Substantive criticism of religion is not censored, just casual profanity. I'm not aware of any profanities in current usage that refer to specific other religions. If anything, gratuitous insults against other religions are less tolerated than gratuitous insults against Christianity. Compare controversy over the depiction of Jesus Christ on South Park (practically none) to controversy over the depiction of Mohammed on South Park (hugely controversial, and censored by Comedy Central).

I can't think of any direct references off the top of my head, but I know i've seen many a joke at the expense of other religions, while anything related to christianity gets more of a censor.