Who else is fed up with swearing on MN?

[ByJingoes]

I have been trying to have this discussion on another thread, but don't want to hijack it further.

I am thoroughly sick of excessive swearing on MN. I am sick of encountering posters with sweary names (not least because I have to hide MN as soon as the children come into the room).

MNHQ, could you please look at this again? Every time I mention this on threads, I am told that I have a cat's bum face (which is immensely irritating) and to eff off to Nethuns - yet I loathe the huggy/kissy/hunny stuff, and detest moderation. We are all adults and don't need to be censored. However, part of being an adult surely means having some consideration for other people too?

Here is Justine in May 2005:

"Hi all,
We've had a few complaints about obscene language on the boards. Our policy on this is that we would appreciate it if people would keep foul and abusive language to a minimum and that if you feel it necessary to swear to make your point then use asterisks please [...] we don't want to be over-prudish about this - we're not talking minor offenses here - and sometimes (parking attendant, gp receptionist annecdotes etc etc) we agree that nothing else but a swear word will do but it's a fair point that lots of members look at mumsnet with kids who may be early readers at their side and as the saying goes... less is more sometimes, so if you could use your discretion it would be much appreciated.

Ta very much."

That seems eminently sensible - but MN seems to have somehow slithered into a site for sweary people only.

Am I the only person who is utterly fed up with it?

Anyway as I said I am not upset by it and enjoy a good joke. There will always be a certain cuntingent who take it too far though

But there is more of a point to breastfeeding!

LissieLovettsDeliciousPies - Justine wants us to have a like button, we think it's a shit idea so we are showing just how much it contributes (i.e. nada) all over the site.

oh god, Im in for that!

like

Over here then

kicks sand around

Jehovah Jehovah Jehovaaaaah!

Lissie.

Laura, it's not the fact that our society is secular that makes it different, it's the fact that our culture arose from a wholly Christian one. Christmas, Easter, jokes about vicars, even Christenings these days, are part of non-religious society too. Whether you consider that to be right or wrong, it simply is atm.

I like your comments, LieIns.

Why am I not surprised that this has otherwise become yet another opportunity for regular posters to start with sarcasm and in-jokes?

As for all the posts saying 'try Nethuns': please read the whole thread.

Finally, if I don't MN when the children are around, I will be doing it after 10pm only. Our computer is in the kitchen, as are they (mostly). Though I suppose I could just lock them out.

LieIns, to put it plainly () I don't give a shit if anyone minds me breastfeeding, and I don't give a shit if someone turns up their nose at appropriate and contextual use of the more toothsome elements of this wonderful language.
Their offense is their problem. They may feel free to challenge me on it and explain their position, and I will feel free to reply, having taken in and evaluated their arguments.

Not me! I appreciate Mumsnet more for the gratuitous swearing! I love it. I have learned great new swear words since I first came here!
I have a very good vocabulary, and am quite capable of holding a polite conversation with someone, in the line of my work, which doesnt contain obscenity. However, I enjoy smutty humour, and my everyday speech is liberally littered with Fucks and Bastards! I dont do it to shock, its just part of me.
I agree with Mitchy ^ up there, "think it is quite helpful for children to learn swear words, what they mean, when it's ok to use them and when it's less advisable and why are some combinations of letters considered to be more offensive than others and so on"^
I have done this with my own Dcs and they dont use swear words in everyday language. I am quite able to take them out into polite society.

Anyway. Get over yourself. We are all grownups here. This is Mumsnet, not the CBeebies website!

where are the in-jokes? there is sarcasm, but if you've been here 5 years, you should know how these threads go.

But Time jokes about christmas easter and vicars are funny
I laughed at "and gave them a good scrub" - thats funny!

I dont think the vast majority of Christians wouldnt consider such jokes to be blasphemy as such.

Saying Jesus Christ in exasperation with or without the addition of swear words is deeply disrespectful.
I was told off about it as a child by by non religious (very aetheist mother) and havent done it since - and that is not due to religious beliefs of my own its out of respect to those around me who have listening ears :o

Sorry for thread hijack ByJingoes

but, I consider myself religious and I dont find it offensive. I reading as an exasperated plea. just as "so help me god" is.

ByJingoes

That's a bit self indulgent now, you wanted serious answers to your questions and you have had them.

I for one, am fed up with the snippiness against regular posters. But voicing that opinion makes me fair game for people to be downright rude.

I can direct you to a charming poster who called me a twat and inferred I wasn't taking adequate care of my children because I had posted for more than 20 minute in total in the middle of the afternoon. That did upset me.

Also "in jokes" are a social bonding factor, it is hardly surprising they occur on a social network site. They are a way to reach out, not to exclude.

Don't mind swearing at all. If it's a swear word every sentence then it's a bit Jeremy kyle but I've never seen that on mm. A well placed 'fuck' for emphatic emphasis is fine by me.

Only read the first coupleof pages so forgive me if I have missed some nugget that explains this, but I am beyond pissed off that part of what is motivating you is that your children might be reading a sweary thread??

This site is not for your children. If they can't respect your boundaries, log on while they are out or asleep.

Swearing does not bother me in the slightest. But being told I can't swear would rile me very much.

No worries, LIW. In fact, it's a good example of what I'm on about. I couldn't be more atheist if I tried, yet I wouldn't write stuff that might offend people who do believe, just for the sake of politeness.

I think all those who say MN is an adult site and is therefore sweary are begging questions. I find swearing offensive. I'm still an adult, though.

Just adding my support to the fuckers who don't mind the swearing

It adds colour, vibrancy, is essential to get some of the "grrrness" of a situation/thought across.

And sometimes it's just plain hilarious.

Well, if you find swearing offensive, and Mumsnet is too sweary, then maybe Mumsnet isnt the right forum for you.

See...that's what I think.

If you don't like it, post elsewhere.

Origin of by Jingo:

The expression "by Jingo" is apparently a minced oath that appeared rarely in print, but which may be traced as far back as to at least the 17th century in a transparent euphemism for "by Jesus". [1] The OED attests the first appearance in 1794, in an English edition of the works of François Rabelais as a translation for the French par Dieu! ("by God!").

Just saying.

fucking italics

Blasphemy!!!

YANBU

I find that offensive to Italics and all who worship them.