I have a profound appreciation for language—it’s almost an obsession. You could say I’m the type who adorns graphic tees with clever phrases, collects quotes for coffee mugs, and even sports a tattoo of a heartfelt saying on my forearm. As a writer, my goal is to discover the ideal word at the right moment to convey my message perfectly. And occasionally, that ideal word is “f*ck.”
I understand that my use of this particular term may ruffle some feathers. It resonates deeply with many, and I acknowledge that. However, that emotional response is precisely why I choose to curse.
Words carry immense power. Culturally, we’ve assigned a heightened significance to certain terms, especially curse words, which we often label as “bad.” But can a word really be deemed bad? Sure, it may be loaded or strong, but at its core, it remains just a word.
Growing up, my mother was not one to swear. A petite woman who meditated daily, she raised us to find the good in everyone. So, when an expletive slipped from her lips, it was a moment that demanded our attention—a clear signal to behave. However, by the time we hit our teenage years, her rare use of strong language often resulted in laughter, especially coming from our polished, 5-foot-2 mother.
While I’m not one to toss around curse words indiscriminately, I do appreciate the effectiveness of a well-placed “f*ck”—sometimes for shock value, other times to emphasize a point, or simply as a punchline.
As a passionate advocate for language, I believe we should stop teaching children that certain words are inherently bad. With our son, we’ve introduced the concept of “strong words” instead, explaining that these terms can elicit stronger reactions than others. For example, he understands that singing along to Gwen Stefani’s “This shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S” is fine, but he should consider his audience before sharing that performance with, say, his 80-year-old grandmother.
It’s worth noting that strong words can lose their impact when overused. I have a friend who swears constantly, and my son hardly blinks when he unleashes a string of four-letter words. I prefer to reserve my strong language for moments that truly warrant it, much like I savor my coffee—bold, rich, and meant to make an impression.
Ultimately, I don’t want my son to stress about which words are “good” or “bad.” Instead, I want him to recognize that words possess the power to heal, hurt, silence, or inspire change. The most powerful words create the strongest impacts, which is precisely why some of us love to use them.
For instance, the headline “Oh For F*ck’s Sake, The McDonald’s New Minion Toy Is Not Saying ‘F*ck’” is far more captivating than “Parents Upset Over Possible Inappropriate Language in New McDonald’s Toy”—don’t you agree?
So, I’ll continue to employ my carefully chosen expletives while teaching my son about the weight of words, encouraging him to wield them thoughtfully, strategically, and for maximum impact.
Know someone who’s a fan of a well-timed four-letter word? Or perhaps you enjoy cursing yourself? Share this article with fellow conscious cussers—you’ll be glad you did.
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