I have an immense appreciation for language—perhaps even an obsession. You could say I’m the type who wears graphic tees, fills my coffee mugs with quotes, and has words inked on my skin. As a writer, I relish the challenge of finding the ideal word at the right moment to convey exactly what I mean. And sometimes, that word just happens to be ‘f*ck.’
I understand that my choice of language can offend some. It strikes a nerve, and I get that. But it’s precisely this ability to resonate with people that drives me to use curse words.
Words carry weight. As a society, we’ve assigned a certain level of intensity to specific terms, particularly expletives, labeling them as taboo. But really, how can any word truly be ‘bad’? Sure, they can be loaded or intense, but at the end of the day, they’re just words.
Growing up, my mother rarely swore. She was a petite woman who practiced meditation daily and encouraged us to see the good in others. So, naturally, when she let an expletive slip, it had a profound effect on us kids—it was a signal to behave. But by the time we reached our teenage years, her rare use of strong language became more humorous than frightening.
I’m not one to fling around curse words indiscriminately; rather, I prefer to deploy a well-timed ‘f*ck’ to elicit a reaction, emphasize a point, or simply deliver a punchline. As someone who cherishes the nuances of language, I believe we should stop teaching our children that certain words are inherently bad.
With my daughter, we’ve opted to introduce the concept of “strong words” instead. We explain that some terms carry more emotional weight and may provoke stronger reactions. For instance, she can enjoy singing along to Gwen Stefani’s catchy tune, “This sh*t is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S,” but she understands to choose her audience wisely, especially around her 80-year-old grandfather.
Of course, overusing strong words can dilute their impact. We have a friend who swears constantly, and my daughter barely reacts anymore when his four-letter words fly around. I prefer to keep my strong words rare and impactful, like my coffee—bold and flavorful—for maximum effect.
Ultimately, I want my daughter to focus on understanding the power of words—their ability to hurt, heal, silence, and inspire change—rather than worrying about which terms are ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ The strength of certain words can amplify their emotional impact, and that’s why some of us enjoy using them.
Take, for example, the headline “Oh For F*ck’s Sake, The McDonald’s New Minion Toy Is Not Saying ‘F*ck’”—which is far more interesting than the bland “Parents Upset Over Possible Inappropriate Language in New McDonald’s Toy.”
So, I will continue to sprinkle my conversations with carefully chosen expletives and guide my daughter in appreciating the potency of language, teaching her to use it consciously and wisely for maximum f*cking effect.
Do you know someone who enjoys a good four-letter word? Do you find yourself indulging in the art of cursing? Feel free to share this piece with fellow conscious cussers—you’ll be so f*cking glad you did!
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In summary, the power of words, especially strong ones, should be embraced rather than shunned. Let’s focus on teaching future generations about their impact and encourage thoughtful use of language.