Swear Words

On Netflix, we find a documentary, of sorts, on "The History of Swear Words". Each 20 minute episode focuses  on only one particular word at a time. For reasons that may become apparent later, I will censor myself and use the spelling used for the episode titles: F**k, Sh*t, Bitch, D**k, Pu**y, and Damn.

Nicolas Cage was the overall host of the series. Many of the other persons in the series were "entertainers".....some of whom had faces I recognized, although I'd be hard pressed to give names to many of these faces.

With the first two words, F**k and Sh*t, the show knew no bounds. It was as if the persons in the series were very excited to be using these two words and use them as often as possible. The basic point was that freedom of speech was sacrosanct and only repressed ninnies would find these swear words offensive. That attitude seemed to change slightly with the word "Bitch".

Many of the women in the series found "Bitch" to be highly offensive. Some leniency was given, however, when certain women, under certain circumstances used the word. Men were only allowed to use the word as a verb - as in "My boss is always bitching about something", but under no circumstances were men allowed to call any woman a bitch.

It's unfortunate that the series was not called the History of Offensive Words. Although these "woke" performers were all about using the swear words, there are offensive words that are strictly forbidden. Those words could not even be discussed. One woman had no qualms about saying "Pu**y", but another word with a similar meaning was referred to by her as "the C word". She apparently finds that word far too offensive to say in a program about swear words.

Although not a swear word, the vulgar word referred to as "the N word" was not mentioned. Although very different, usage of that word has some minor similarities with the word "Bitch". Certain people are allowed to use the "N word" indiscriminately, however, others are not permitted to use the word under any circumstances. I am not permitted to even type the word in this article.

The majority opinion of the folks in the series was that swearing was a positive thing and no one should be offended by these words. I would be more inclined to listen to that opinion if they would admit that there are certain words that should not be used and anyone finding a word unacceptable isn't automatically a conservative dweeb.