To think that people shouldn't use the *F* word on Mumsnet

[Mulanmum]

No doubt a bunch of smart alecs are going to tell me to F* off but ...

Why do some MNetters feel the need to use obscene language on here? Are they too inarticulate to express themselves without foul language? I started a thread on another topic, moving along nicely then a prolific poster told us to "all f* off". Why do that on a forum that is set up primarily to be friendly and supportive?

Just leave the foul language off MumsNet.

'Will Smith don't gotta cuss in his raps to sell records.
Oh yeah? Well, I do.
So fuck him
And fuck you, too.'

-Eminem 'The Real Slim Shady'

me, Carmenere?

No the op, we know you are

Stephen Fry knows everything. Fact.

ye cheeky bugger, ye

And you're a bit of a moron, aren't you Carmenere?

No

Bad form to quote yourself, I know, but you really are just trading insults, Mulan, so I repeat:

As I said, there are words I can't stand. I HATE breastmilk being described as "booby-juice" - it makes me want to vomit. But should I be able to censor a group of adults using language they want to use in an informal setting? Of course I shouldn't - that would be ridiculous. So I just let those words pass over me - like water off a duck's back, in fact. Why can't you have the maturity to do the same? I pretty much stopped expecting the world to be exactly as I was and as I wanted it to be when I stopped being 15.

Actually - Mulanmum, I think everyone is having a giggle - but if you read through all the posts people are mostly saying the same thing... just... urmm... in their own way -

I think you, like me, don't like people using swear words to be unkind. I think everyone would agree with this...

If a swear word is used to be nasty to another mner - not nice - we like it that we can report it and mn will delete it - because it is upsetting and embarrassing for all involved!

If it is used to be funny (like Ghosty illustrated so well) or to express feelings or a concept - no probs!

No-one likes the idea of censorship and people have said they prefer swearing to be kept in threads and not as thread titles! However, I sense people would rather see a swear word in a thread title occasionally than have censorship process in place.

All sounds sensible and basically what is happening anyway!

I suppose when someone did type something I found unkind I was a bit afraid of telling mn I didn't like it. I felt like a school girl afraid of being a dobber. I didn't report but MN took it off anyway and I was very relieved. This thread has taught me it probably would have been ok to ask for it to be removed as mners in general wouldn't like to have seen the message either! I was silly to hesitate - this is a support website not a being nasty to each other kinda place - and I like it that way!

Thanks - your thread has helped me understand mn a little more!

On the side - I am completely in ore of you having a PhD in English Habbibu what did you do your thesis on? Honestly - tell us more!!!

Argh - teafortwo - always wary of posting like a ponce - just wanted to make the point that swearing does not equal lack of linguistic knowledge/vocabulary.

PhD was in the history of English - late medieval - if I say any more I'll be a little too easily googled...

Good post, btw, tf2...

I agree with Mulanmum. If JR had said that RB had had intimate knowledge of Georgina's under frontal waterworks, no one would have minded.

'Georgina's under frontal waterworks, no one would have minded.'

He could have said he babydanced with her, too.

Yes teafortwo, good post, sums it up nicely.

Well, bloody hell.

Let's all burn the books too.

how does, jog on, knob jockey strike ya?

it goes without says but here goes

y a b v f u

If he's dealing with her waterworks, I think he was a little misdirected (and must have had a teeny thin penis...)

Habbibu - why would anyone want to google you? Plenty of people on here have degrees and PhDs.

And very funny that you suggest I'm lacking in maturity given some of the drivel on this thread. Yes, I can chose to ignore the F word when used on MN but I'd rather it wasn't used at all so no-one has the option of telling someone to F-off or go F-themselves.

And the words you dislike make me cringe too.

Language and the development of language is such an interesting subject!

Am I right in thinking all of our four letter friends or foe, depending on your point of view, come from Anglo-Saxon and the medical words for the same things are, infact Greek while the polite way is old French???? Or did I just dream it???

Didn't say they would, Mulan, but I like to remain anonymous, so choose to limit the amount of personal information I give out. I disagree with you on censorship, but there you have it. I don't intend to get into a personal battle with you.

tf2 - it's not exactly my area, but roughly I think you're right - many swearwords are Germanic in origin. Chaucer uses the Middle English version of cunt in the Miller's Tale, which suggests it didn't have the same level of taboo then which it does now.

well, it seems that you've given us all the benefit of your opinion and very few people have in anyway agreed with you soooooo
I'd guess that you'd surmise that yabu in the opinion of the vast majority of this site

if you'd rather avoid the swearing why not try another site or different threads on this site?

i doubt any of your arguments or protestations will have any effect on the immature foulmmouthed slatterns residing on these threads