Writing & Publishing Are Curse Replacement Words Still Offensive Due to Their Intent?

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suspensewriter said:
Try reading Shakespeare, @Zee (an annotated version, such as the Oxford edition), and you'll see what I mean.
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Oh, I’ve read plenty of Shakespeare! Even the most villainous and vulgar of his characters has a rich and scintillating vocabulary, something the “toughs” of our day have lost—at least in this country.

I think lack of education may be partly to blame, though some of the most colorful insults I’ve ever heard sprang from the lips of illiterate friends. I think people just don’t think…the vulgarity isn’t insulting or even meaningful anymore…it’s just a verbal tic.
 
It was the same way in past times, @Zee. They used "curse" words freely. There's nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said.
 
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suspensewriter said:
It was the same way in past times, @Zee. They used "curse" words freely. There's nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said.
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I think we’re essentially saying the same thing…I’m not bemoaning the loss of the supposedly “cleaner” language of the past, but simply the lack of variety and creativity in today’s vulgarities.
 
Accord64 said:
Okay, so if you're really good at show-not-tell, you can successfully put a bad word into a reader's head without actually using it.

Therefore, what's the difference between actually writing a bad word and not writing that word but causing a reader to think that word?

Okay, I'll stop causing trouble now... 😉
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You've got me there!

Also, I'm a big mouth with the 'show, don't tell' advice because, as a nonfiction writer, I don't need to use it that often.

But I've often wondered—who decides what words are swear words? Is there some secret society that gathers regularly to collect information about which words people use and how they use them? And then picks the words people enjoy using the most and declares them swear words—spoiling our fun?

On a more serious note - I think it is about the intent. Even a perfectly acceptable word can become a swear word, depending on the intent behind it.

I wonder if another secret society works behind the scenes to create more swear words. Could there be a story lurking here somewhere...
 
Here's another thought. Similar to what @Alley said, I use "peanut butter!" as a substitute swear word. But if you really think about it, the intent is still the same, as I think some of you have point out.

So if I get upset and yell, "Oh, peanut butter!" in frustration, but in reality I'm uttering it in the same spirit someone else might say, "Oh, f$#!" does that make it just as morally wrong? Just thinking out loud here.
 
Personally, I'm using "he muttered", "she grumbled", or "swore under his breath" in places where a secular writer would drop more colorful metaphors. Actually I think I use "colorful metaphors" as well at some point. I want what I'm writing to be realistic sounding, but I don't want to use words that will negatively impact someone's walk, especially when I know they can impact my own walk.
 
Marc said:
I'm working on a project and have been thinking about the use of curse replacement words (like "darn" instead of "damn," "heck" instead of "hell," etc.). My concern is whether these replacements are still considered offensive or problematic to a Christian audience, particularly because they often carry the same intent as the original curses.

Additionally, I've noticed that some of these adjacent curse words can sound a bit babyish or out of place, which can break immersion for the reader. Do you think the intent behind these words makes them just as harmful, or are they generally acceptable within Christian communities? And how do you balance the need for strong language with maintaining immersion without crossing a line?

Also, if you do use them, what are some of your favorite curse adjacent words and phrases. eg. Mother custard, son of a biscuit, frack.

I’d appreciate your insights!

Thanks in advance.
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So, I've had a bit of fun with this. I was writing historical fiction and invented my own swear words:
- Go eat with a hyena!
- Sheep's waste

I had so much fun looking up insults and swear words in other languages and cultures (seriously, there are some hilarious ones!)
But, at the end of the day, the intent is still the same - which is not holy or righteous. it is human. it is conveying powerful emotions and being realistic. if your novel is set in modern-day, you cannot just inject invented curse words (like you can with some fantasy, historical fiction).
I would say, get back to the point you're trying to make, the theme of the story and the plot line. Do you need curse words to convey the Main character's flaws and challenges, and it will help show his/her character arc?
Is it necessary to show a heated argument, or fight that is central to the storyline?
Does the use of these curse words have a necessary function?

I am a lot more liberal in my approach, so take this with a grain of salt and decide what works best for you,
but if your character is a thief, or violent, or selfish, or sexually promiscuous, you have planned that because you want to use those sins to send a message, to be part of the character arc. I doubt you're writing about perfect, pure characters to begin with. You are designing characters that feel real. That show emotion. That make mistakes. that make wrong decisions. and as long as you keep the end in mind, then make sure the swear words have a role to play toward that ultimate goal, too. I would rather read real curse words from an 18-year-old angry guy than 'Gosh darn!" because the 'softened' words don't feel real.
 
Marc said:
I'm working on a project and have been thinking about the use of curse replacement words (like "darn" instead of "damn," "heck" instead of "hell," etc.). My concern is whether these replacements are still considered offensive or problematic to a Christian audience, particularly because they often carry the same intent as the original curses.

Additionally, I've noticed that some of these adjacent curse words can sound a bit babyish or out of place, which can break immersion for the reader. Do you think the intent behind these words makes them just as harmful, or are they generally acceptable within Christian communities? And how do you balance the need for strong language with maintaining immersion without crossing a line?

Also, if you do use them, what are some of your favorite curse adjacent words and phrases. eg. Mother custard, son of a biscuit, frack.

I’d appreciate your insights!

Thanks in advance.
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Also, I am in a critique group with a writer of historical fiction about segregation and civil rights. She uses curse words/insults against the MC and I find it very POWERFUL. Those disgusting words hit hard and bring up emotions when we read the actual words that MC heard, the threats and insults he faced on a daily basis.
I would never use such words, or even read them out loud. But writing them has the exact intended effect - to offend. There are situations when it might be appropriate for adult audiences.
 
I think some "curse replacements" sound silly and work only in a context where you're trying to be humorous. But they certainly don't work when writing a serious scene. I use the same curse replacements in my writing and editing as I use in my everyday life. For instance, if I'm humorously irritated, I'll say, "What in the fiddlesticks?" If I'm seriously irritated, I'll say, "WHAT on EARTH?"
 
@Westee, Thank you for sharing this list. I actually saw words and phrases I never knew before. (That's all right, I won't use them.)
 
William D'Andrea said:
I just looked over the list. Isn't Mylanta an over-the-counter medication?
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I believe so, but I suspect this is short for "My Atlanta". That's just a guess on my part, though.

A quick Bing search came up with:
“Oh My Lanta” is an exclamation used to express surprise, shock, or disbelief. The phrase gained popularity thanks to the character Stephanie Tanner on the TV show “Full House,” and has since become a part of pop culture.
 
Marc said:
I'm working on a project and have been thinking about the use of curse replacement words (like "darn" instead of "damn," "heck" instead of "hell," etc.). My concern is whether these replacements are still considered offensive or problematic to a Christian audience, particularly because they often carry the same intent as the original curses.

Additionally, I've noticed that some of these adjacent curse words can sound a bit babyish or out of place, which can break immersion for the reader. Do you think the intent behind these words makes them just as harmful, or are they generally acceptable within Christian communities? And how do you balance the need for strong language with maintaining immersion without crossing a line?

Also, if you do use them, what are some of your favorite curse adjacent words and phrases. eg. Mother custard, son of a biscuit, frack.

I’d appreciate your insights!

Thanks in advance.
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I'm not a fan of cursing. That being said, in the right situations, it makes sense. Some guy in prison isn't likely to say, "Oh, shoot." Most likely he will use curse words. I don't swear, but if something really tragic happened, I can see slipping. Use it sparingly, if need be, and if it makes sense. Better to put it in an appropriate situation than make the character look ingenuine.
 
Tim Hawkins has a very funny take on a list of alternative words...
 
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