© 2004 by David Rees. Used with permission.

This is me on a typical workday. (Click the image to go to the site where I discovered this panel. It is one of the funniest satirical sites I've run across - good readin'). I've been swearing a lot recently, and taken some flak for it. Naturally, I have some thoughts on the subject.

I think the best term I've heard swearing referred to is "salty language". It is true, in a sense. Obscenity flavors our language in a way that social pleasantries simply cannot compete with. Swearing helps us express the direct bluntness of our meaning.

There are, however, those who feel that such language is tactless, in poor taste, and shows a lack of creativity in expression. While that argument may have some small merit, I would rather have clarity of expression than make it too poetic. We read shakespeare because it's required for school, we read Stephen King because it is enjoyable.

There were times when I flirted with the idea of cleaning up my language. Recently I have come to a realization that no matter how one expresses a thought, they can be almost assured of offending someone. It is simply not worth it to me to diminish the intensity of what I am saying merely to appease someone of greater sensibilities than myself.

There is a world of difference in the subjective meaning between "I am frustrated!" and "I'm fucking pissed!" Even the tone we use to say such statements is markedly different. Objectively, they both communicate the same idea, but only one of them truly communicates the concept.

There is no bad language...just ineffective use of it. Most imprecise usage comes from those who soften their language with euphamism when more effecient communication could be acheived with directness.

So if I say something you don't like, express a thought you find vile, crack a joke you think is tasteless, then all I can really say is that your fucked. I'd rather have clarity over cleanliness if it gets my meaning across.

That said, I'd like to wish a big happy Fuck-You to everybody out there in readerland.