TECH, please can we have a facility to hide posters who...

LOLOL

why do you always make me snort, MP?

btw -- there was a chat thread a few months ago with unfortunate RL names - one poster had had to call for a Roger Mashitter in a waiting room... Now, it would be vv funny IMO to have that for a posting name, but would you object? Even though it's a real name?

I think there are some small steps on the spectrum between "cuntwhacker" and "kittens"

For once I agree with Dafty

( and as much as I adore Anyf*cker) I do think that having a rude word in ones name is a bit, well, gratuitous. It doesn't offend me in particular but I worry for those whom it may put off using the site.

I wouldn't say 'fuck' in the playground, or to my friends really (unless in context of 'fuck off' but that is usually in a humorous way)

I think self moderation is good - I tend to moderate my own use of swearing in posts, anyway...feck, blardy etc. Arse is good though, I wouldn't feel right if I couldn't say 'arse' on here.

I think names need a kind of unwritten rule, while posts can contain appropriately bad language.

There are other words which have become offensive over the years because they have been used derisively or in an offensive way.

We could all say oh I don't see the problem I'm only using it innocently to describe x,y,z.

When the majority of people know the meaning has shifted and it is generally used in an aggressive/offensive context; you can't be surprised that people will find it offensive.

That's the whole point of swear words. And I do swear btw (in case you think I'm Mary Whitehouse's granddaughter ), but I think if we just use those words in normal convo all the time it is obtuse and where do you go in language when you do want to swear if you do it all the time anyway?

Exactly, Professor. And its currency on MN has been brilliant in my mind for weakening the term's association with that awful hostility and contempt. I want the word 'cunt'. It is mine, not some hatefilled man's.

Im anti cencorship and would hate the idea of swear filters but i don't think it unreasonable for people to not swear in thread titles or posting names.

but in the thread content i see no problem.

I find cunt offensive when used as a term of abuse, particularly when used by a man, because there's an undertone of contempt for women involved. I don't find it intrinsically offensive as a word in a neutral context.

I think it is safe to say that women tend to find swear words more offensive than men. Does anyone actually consider the fact that by getting all het up by this we perpetuate the 'fragile female' myth. Would we all prefer to talk about kittens in non sweary terms? These are just words, and it is possibly a little unnecessary to get our knickers in a twist over their use. Can you imagine a male forum even starting this discussion?

I come here to be an adult, not to amuse the children. When DS is old enough to read the screen (I keep the font size down) then I shan't be MNing with him around.

Is my name offensive to you?

And for your information, I do go on to DV threads where I can offer support or advice. I'm a volunteer for WA, and haven't had anyone complain so far...

hullygully, I am not sure.

English is not my first language, and I might be somewhat less sensitive to some of the swearwords, than others. I would not use the word cunt myself, because I know it is offensive. But when I see certain words juxtaposed and I gather the meaning of the words in question, by seing them in context, then I object to the meaning, rather than the actual word in itself. Does that make sense?

Dopey old cunt can be used affectionately, even though the word cunt is offensive. But that is because of the word "dopey". Insert fucking instead, and you get "Fuckign old cunt" and it is something totally different.

In fact I have disliked the launguage used in some posters names for a while now but have been too scared to say anything in case they come and virtually beat me up! .

By virtue of their chosen names they make me think they would be capable of that type of behaviour

These words are mostly used in offensive contexts, as insults or expressions of aggression.

That is why I personally don't really want to see them when I am on here looking for a thread about breastfeeding or washing powder.

I have no problem seeing or hearing these words on TV in the evening.

But there is a time and a place for that kind of language, and babytalk at 11am is not it.

hobgoblin - does your 'collection of letters' argument extend to offensive racist terms too?

If my dcs are bored enough to start reading MN over my shoulder, I really am doing a poor job as a parent....

Some of the funniest things on MN are littered with swearwords.

I agree with Pesto, blackduck, and QS - so there!

Basically cuntwhacker needs to change her name really because she is offending people

A poster called 'donkeypunch' would be equally reviled

that would resolve the issue wouldn't it?

Quint - okay, it's the context, so you wouldn't mind "dopey old cunt?" Fair enough.

total lack of ?s in above post

Tsar - I don't really understand the swear word concept. How about if we all agree they are just words like any others? After all, they don't refer to anything horrid like killing or starving, just to nice things like vaginas and lovemaking.

hullygully, yes, the context. It might as well be.... cunt puncher.

There is no argument - LOTS of people do find words like the C word (censoring for the sake of this thread) offensive, there is no doubt. But why is that? The only image it conjures up is of fanjos surely and that is no biggie, or is it something else.

i'm inclined to think it's because we've been told it's a bad word for yonks and that is actually the only reason. Conditioning. I don't like conditioning, except the hirsute kind.