Certain Words

[Mark A Becker]

Certain words,
if used too much,

can lose their punch-
one is f*ck,

G*d is another.
But never n*gg*r.

[dukealien]

Certain words,
if used too much,

can lose their punch-
one is f*ck,

G*d is another.
But never n*gg*r.

I don't know... as between members of some cultures of American people of color, that last seems to have become more a handshake than a punch.  Perhaps a "friendly" shoulder punch?

On the main issue, I recall it being remarked, decades past, that "bullsh*t" had lost its punch and should be replaced by the common though somewhat military "chickensh*t" for lesser matters with, perhaps, "whalesh*t" for greater.  West Texas patois stressed variants such as "dogsh*t", "horsesh*t" and "catsh*t" (as in "mean as catsh*t") and cycling through those kept conversations, as it were, fresh   .

[TranquillityBase]

I save "chickensh*t" for the worst offenders.

[Mark A Becker]

I don't know... as between members of some cultures of American people of color, that last seems to have become more a handshake than a punch.  Perhaps a "friendly" shoulder punch?

Well duke-
I worked in downtown DC for 18 years, and rarely heard black guys that I worked with, or on the street, address each other that way.  Not that they didn't, I just didn't hear it very much.  I have definitely seen the bloody results of white guys using the n-word.

By far the most I've heard it is in loud rap music coming white kids' cars.  Go figure.

Now, I must say that the f-word has to be my favorite, simply because it has so, so many variations. Listen to this (or not, if easily offended): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxpV8D8K9JI

For me and my brothers growing up, stringing cuss words together became almost an art form.  And my dad would interrupt to say,"stop your damn cussing."

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I save "chickensh*t" for the worst offenders.

Oh my! What fowl language!

(I don't save sh*t for nobody.)