Talk:Swears

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Warning: This shouldn't surprise you, since the purpose of this talk page is to discuss an article about swears, but language that may be considered offensive by some readers follows. Only mature, professional handling of the subject matter will be allowed.

Delete?

~~This information is only loosely related and really not that important.~~ — It's dot com 22:59, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Well, it has appeared quite a lot. I think it should stay. LePorello / T / C 23:00, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

yeah. if it had only 2 or 3 apperances, I'd under stand, but it has 8+ references. That's why I created it. — Young Roy 23:04, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

~~No, it really doesn't have that many appearances, because none of these items are that similar, and a lot of them are just abbreviations and such.~~ — It's dot com 23:04, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Well, most of these are not cusses to most people, many are common everyday speech. AOnly a few, like the Commandoes, are really intentional uses of cussing for humor. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:07, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Everyday speech or not, it's still cussing. And only CitC and no loafing only mention about cussing, the rest have references to cussing. — Young Roy 23:16, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

I agree with deletion. This just isn't an outstanding topic... --DorianGray

I don't care for this page. Swears don't bother me, it's just that keeping track of specific words that characters say (unless it's a running gag; which swearing isn't) just doesn't fly with me. I could be contradicting myself, though. Maybe there are some articles that I would like deleted given this reasoning. Or then again, maybe not. Totally don't want a list of characters who use superlatives... or prepositions... —BazookaJoe 23:58, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

I now think it's a worthy topic. TBC have stated that they don't put swearing on the site, except sometimes they do. This is notable. — It's dot com 00:02, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

If we're gonna keep this

And now we're gonna censor this? We have a page where we can't even discuss the subject matter? — It's dot com 23:06, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Another point for deletion. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:07, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. If this page can't exist in an uncensored form on this wiki, then it doesn't belong at all. — It's dot com 23:08, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

What's weird is that all the cuss words were censored except for "damn." Weird. — Young Roy 23:13, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Roy, it had hope, but I hope you see it's flawed. We can't have a page with the f word and the a word, per our standards. And if they are censored properly it ruins this. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:16, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Okay, "Maq," so we can't have a and f up there, but it's ruined if it's censored. Hmmmm... God, I don't want my page that I made the first draft of, one of my few major contributions, so I guess we'll just have to...sigh. I don't know. It's just hard to decide. I guess we have no choice to delete it, unless we bend the rules and leave a and f or ruin it and go ahead and censor it. Young Roy (In a hurry so no time thingy thing.)

This page is kind of interesting, but I would only support an uncensored version. — It's dot com 23:27, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Com's right. This is data, and if it's on Homestar Runner, we can use it. — Seriously ^(Talk) 23:39, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

If we're gonna keep this, it should not be censored, but it should be limited to material found only on H*R.com (not the interviews (except for the relevant part in the introduction)). I have come to realize that this page has factual merit, given TBC's attitude expressed in the introduction. — It's dot com 23:49, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Dot com, why'd you delete DorianGray's comment? That seems rude. — Seriously ^(Talk) 23:51, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

He didn't. He just moved it. --Jay (Gobble) 23:54, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

While I question the use of this article, I feel that censoring the profanities aren't needed. However, use of the word f*** was unneeded in the article. Rogue Leader / (my talk) 03:09, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Title

I'm not entirely sold on the utility of this page, but if we're going to have it could we at least give it a name that doesn't sound so juvenile ("Mom, Billy made a swear!")? My vote is for Profanity. Concerning the above discussion, I'm against censoring this page. The warning at the top is ample. — InterruptorJones 23:56, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

The reason I moved it is because TBC in interviews have consistently used the word "swears" ("But when we get our sketch comedy show, dude, there’s going to be so many swears!"), and even in things like cheat talk. Plus, it's kinda funny. BTW, I think they only called it "cussing" in Commandos in the Classroom so they could make the "cuss-mando" joke. — It's dot com 00:01, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

I still vote for keeping, uncensoring, and "Profanity". S a l t y^Talk! 00:03, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

While I feel that this should be delorted, if we are going to keep this, I would rather that the title be Profanity instead of Swears. Rogue Leader / (my talk) 00:20, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Meh, "Profanity" sounds so formal and stuffy. "Swears" fits the mood better, methinks. — It's dot com 00:26, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, you don't really hear teens today using Profanity. Actually, it's more of "cursing." We should make the title that. Cursing sounds better than swears and cussing, and way better than Profanity. — Young Roy

Do you have something against the TBC term? If not, then we should leave the title like it is. — It's dot com 13:35, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Definitely. I'm up for moving it to that. — Seriously ^(Talk) 00:21, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Well yeah, but profanity sounds more encyclopedic. — Seriously ^(Talk) 00:27, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

But "swears" sounds more H*R. More examples: "Tomkins made a swear!", "Why I can even swear a cuss myself! A-hem. Diaper biscuits." — It's dot com 02:52, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

I see your point (and my bad for not noting the TBCism). Taking that into consideration, I'm fine with whatever everybody else decides. — InterruptorJones 03:29, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

I agree. The title of this article is really embarrassing. Qduk 16:38, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Couldn't we just begin the article with "Profanity, or Swears... I think that would be good. — Seriously ^(Talk) 12:34, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

I think the current introduction (in which Matt says "swears" and is followed up with "swearing") is just fine. — It's dot com 18:17, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Okay—I just think that the actual word should come before what TBC calls it. — Seriously ^(Talk) 21:18, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

What about the place?

Since words like "Hella, and Helluva" are considered swears, I added the one where old timey Strong Bad says "oh noes i've died and gone to hell".

Not to be Correction Dan, but it's actually, Curses! iv'e died and gone to hell!" — Young Roy

Actually, it's not really considered a swear if used to refer to the place. I think. --DorianGray

I agree, used in the right context it shouldn't be considered a swear, except in the case of their using the context as an excuse to swear. ⇔Thunderbird⇔ 04:37, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

Dorian is right. The place is not a swear. — It's dot com 04:38, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

Guess if we can't use the place, we might not be able to use Strong Sad's curse in The House That Gave Sucky Treats: "...if you get it wrong, you get eternal damnation..." — Young Roy

Crap

What is that doing on the list? I know crap is almost like "s---" but crap is not a curse word all that much.

Actually, it is. It's what's known in linguistics as a permissible expletive (or something along those lines). — It's dot com 13:44, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Possible swearing in flashback

flashback- After losing the ten-step footrace, The Homestar Runner responds by saying "WHAAAAT??!!?&,:;%${}". Random symbols usually mean censored swearing.

Disagree. I know that things like %^#$^@# are used to censor swears, but it's not being used for that in this case.

Random symbols are used to censor words in the sentence. These symbols have been attatched to the ??!!?, with no space between them. This suggests that this is an exaggeration often used on the Internet of an overuse of exclamation points. I'm talking about things like !!!!!!!11111, !!!!!111!1!11one!!1, and !!!!!fortyfive!!11!1omgwtfbbq111. Using random characters after a long string of exclamation points and question marks is just a cousin to these.

Secondly, you don't see a hint of Homestar opening his mouth to utter curses in the animation. There's no audio censorship either. Where is the swearing coming from?

This is what I would consider acceptable to say that Homestar was swearing:

&,:;%${} WHAT??!!?
WHAT &,:;%${}??!!?
WHAT??!!? &,:;%${}!!
WHAT??!!? &,:;%${} (even though the final exclamation doesn't end in an exclamation point, I would accept it if there were a space in there.)

What we are considering is none of the above. Again, the random symbols are attached to the ??!!?. It makes no sense to put censored swears there. —BazookaJoe 03:54, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

~~Agree. (Args pending BazookaJoes args.)~~ Switching to neutral for now. — It's dot com 03:56, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

I agree, not to disagree. I always took it like that. I mean, I think it should stay. S a l t y^Talk! 03:31, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

Agreed... Err, with the disagreement... By which I mean I disagree with the fact. It's obviously a relative of "T3H 1337 Sp33Kx0rz!!~!~@~!!#~!!1!!11@`2!eleventyfive!". --phlip ^T_C 04:12, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

Agree with BazookaJoe. Disagree with the fact. Heimstern Läufer

05:35, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

don't know if my input matters, but i agree with the fact. ---

Collin - (^T/C) 01:44, 15 April 2006 (UTC)

Yearbook signing- rhts

In the Yearbook Character Page on the autograph signing part, strong bad says RHTS meaning "raise hell this summer" and since lmao is mentioned, does anyone else think this may have a place on the page?--- Collin - (^T/C) 02:30, 15 April 2006 (UTC)

It could be raise heck this Summer.

To do

Organize the list in chronological order and by toon category (SBEmails separate from toons and games). — KieferSkunk (talk) — 01:50, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

sbemail: the bird

how about the sbemail "the bird" its all about giving the finger... which isnt really SAYING a swear. but it definatly is considered profanity and gets blurred out on TV. and it would go against TBC thing of keeping the site clean. Del Taco? 20:15, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

Sounds good. — It's dot com 22:48, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

Hmmm, I'm not sure on this one. It's a bit of a gray area. The email itself is about giving the finger, but Strong Bad never specifically mentions "the middle finger," so he's not giving kids any instruction on how to "give somebody the finger," and none of the characters in said email actually did it properly: Strong Bad can't do it because of his boxing gloves (even if he says he can), Homestar can't do it properly given his lack of (or at least invisible) hands, and Pom Pom only has one "finger" (his entire hand)... there's really no objectionable content in the email at all, save for the reference to "the finger" or "the bird," and I don't think, taken alone, such a reference constitutes anything objectionable. ~ Bruce 04:01, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Pervert?

Is this considered a swear? Or is it just a rude thing to say? It was said by The Baby Lady in Peasan't Quest if you ask her about Naked Ned. Maggot Man (talk) 19:20, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, pervert's not really a swear... Just an insult, I think. --DorianGray

Well, it's a bad word kind of like Prick. --TheThin gé 19:39, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

I would disagree with you, The thing. It's a word with a cache, but not a "bad" word in the same category as your other example, which in some contexts is a "bad" word, as it names an unmentionable piece of anatomy. "Pervert" merely describes a person with socially unacceptable sexual principles and behaviors. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

19:41, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

autobiography

I've noticed that there isn't a mention of autobiography on this page. Strong Bad doesn't actually say a swear word on the "Words I Probably Said" tape, but it is implied, as Strong Bad does have to fast-forward. Is it worth adding that to this page? Frickinsellout 09:26, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Are you refering to the "the Deke accidentally shoved me to the ground and called me a—" part? If so, I don't think we could really guess what he called him. He might as well said "a crap for brains" which is already covered under Crap. — Elcool ^(talk)_(contribs) 10:57, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Do we really have to mention "butt"?

I hardly consider "butt" a swearword. I mean, 5-year-olds say "butt." I think we're only supporting the ridiculous existance of the euphemism treadmill here by mentioning a relatively non-offensive word in an article about swearwords. ~ Bruce 03:55, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Where do we say "butt"? --DorianGray

Under See Also:. In addition to the above, the words "crap" and "butt" both appear frequently. ~ Bruce 04:03, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Ah... Personally, I don't see a need to mention either of those, but I'm okay with keeping "crap" on there, as it has a (pretty massive) page. "Butt", on the other hand, is so minor a word it doesn't even need to be mentioned. You'd have to be some kinda freak to be offended by "butt". (No offense to anyone who is. You're still weird, though.) --DorianGray

Dorian, thanks so much for calling my grandmother a freak. My grandmother happens to be a very nice old lady. (This is a joke, I'm not really ticked off. ;-) ) But just so you know, I've observed that it is a bit of a generation thing: the older people are more likely to be offended by "butt" (and likewise with "crap" and "freaking"). That's my two cents. Heimstern Läufer

09:15, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Not to mention that "butt" can be used in many different ways (the original meaning was "end"):

End/edge butt (something I learned in Tech Ed.)
Cigarrette butt
Rifle butt
Etc.

Anyways, we shouldn't mention "butt". ¤ The Mü

_{Talk to me.} 12:52, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Even though it is considered a bona fide swear at my aunt and uncle's house, I don't think it belongs on this page. — It's dot com 13:20, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Heh. My grandparents have no problem with "butt." In fact, I've heard my grandmother use said word on many occasions. I honestly can't see how anyone would consider "butt" a swearword. It's just a synonym for "rear end," after all. And of course, you have things like butt joints, etc. ~ Bruce 01:50, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

"Sucks"?

I'm not sure what others' thoughts are on this, but I generally consider "sucks" a vulgar word; I'm not offended by it, but I was surprised by its presence in a couple places on the site, probably on roughly the same level as "hella." Should it also be mentioned? — LuigiHann (Talk | contribs) 20:40, 19 July 2006 (UTC) (left unsigned)

I wouldn't consider it vulgar enough to be listed here or considered a swear. S a l t y^Talk! 20:51, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Interestingly, the phrase used to be considered extremely vulgar, but over the years it has progressed on the dysphemism treadmill to the point that it is acceptable even in mainstream contexts. — It's dot com 21:46, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

alternate universe

Shouldn't we add the part where Strong bad says "flippin' off rainbows" from sbemail 150? (it's in the song) » c u t e p e t s r u s « ^T/_C 02:24, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Where's the swear? - Qermaq - (^T/C)

02:47, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

If the bird is in this list, alternate universe should be too. Or they can both be removed; it's fine with me. —BazookaJoe 02:49, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I suppose it falls into the "implied" category. Sigh... (you can guess I'm not fond of it, but it is acceptable for the page). - Qermaq - (^T/C)

02:52, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

So... want me to add it?

Do you think it's better without Swearing except for Crap?

I do, because i sick of cartoons that aren't cartoons, if you get my meaning? Well? Nikolce Kocovski 02:14, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't think I get your meaning. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

07:13, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

well, what i'm trying to say is that cartoons are meant to be enjoyable for any age, not to filled with swearing,gore, etc. That's what i think. Nikolce Kocovski 23:02, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

Well, I agree that a large part of the charm of H*R is that it's funny without resorting to typical devices other animated entertainments rely on for shock laughs, such as potty language and excessive violent imagery. That said, I don't necessarily feel that a cartoon (for example, South park) which does employ potty language and extreme violence in its humor is less good, just different. In other words, I see it less as an issue of quality an an issue of broadest audience. So it's not "better", but it's quite an accomplishment that the 12 year olds and the old geezers like me alike can enjoy this and not be subjected to imagery or dialogue which might be seen as inappropriate. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:07, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

I think it's better because it's much easier to be "funny" with swearing. The fact that H*R can be at times, hillarious without vulgarity... to the extent of swearing or cursing... proves that TBC are very intelligent.--

»Bleed0range« 23:09, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

But that logic would suggest that Trey Parker and Matt Stone are not as intelligent, when in fact it's pretty clear from their work they're geniuses (as are TBC). They use a different set of rules and tools than TBC, so it's different, but does it necessarily mean TBC are more intelligent than TP+MS? It's like comparing apples and chainsaws, their approaches differ too vastly to effectively compare. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:12, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

I prefer this way of doing things, the without swearing way, because all it does is enable people of younger ages to enjoy the content. S a l t y^Talk! 23:20, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

This talk page is about the upkeep of the wiki article. May I recommend our companion forum for discussion of the subject itself. — It's dot com 23:27, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

While you are of course correct, I can also see an argument for exploring the utility of swears in animation as essential to the understanding of why both this page and its contents exist. Are the swears and swear-like items we document here to be seen as a deviation from the standards we've come to expect from TBC? Are they intentional references to the tradition in modern animation of employing naughty words for comic effect? Are they not references at all, but instances of the use of naughty words for comic effect? Yes, a generic discussion of whether SP or H*R is better because of the extent of the use of swearing is Forum fodder, but other points are, IMO, germane to the upkeep of this page. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

23:57, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

I feel like I oughtn't, but since Qermaq opened the discussion loophole again briefly, I'll jump in. I hesitate at the first question there, Qermaq, which hints at the perennial has-H*R-jumped-the-shark questions that come up often and are almost always unanswerable and unnecessary. One interesting thing you hint at, though, is that the significance of this page is not the way they don't swear, but the way they represent, replace, or suggest swears. Which suggests questions of the history of doing so in other cartoon genres, like comic strips. Which gets back to Nik's starting supposition: although technically what defines a cartoon is that it's animated instead of filmed, you identify an assumption that they're intended for, or at least suitable for, kids. (And the previous two links could be taken as H*R weighing in with meta-commentary on its own role in these dynamics.) Which of course leads to the question of why we connect cartoons with kids—what about their origins, political cartoons, etc.—by which point it's definitely ready for the forum. —AbdiViklas 00:15, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

Space Program

In space program, Strong Bad says "we spent all our money on this kick awesome logo". This could be a reference to kick ass, but, it's another one of those that might not really be nessicary to include. » c u t e p e t s r u s « ^T/_C 00:50, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Fo' Shizzle?

...Another one reads, "SB is the shizzle", which in this context means "Strong Bad is the shit".

I think that one's being read a bit too much into. We can't be sure of his context, he may have just thought "shizzle" is a funny word, and didn't realize it is sometimes attributed to profanity. In fact, Wikipedia gives the meaning of shizzle as "...rap slang word for 'sure'", which is also the general meaning that I have understood in the past. Though the context of "Strong Bad is the sure" admittedly does not make sense, it seems to me that this comment is simply an abstract comment of "Strong Bad is the shizzle" without the "meaning" of shizzle being obviously clear, if there in fact is one. In short, I think we're reading much too much into a word that doesn't have a specific meaning. ⇔Thunderbird⇔ 02:47, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

See izzle.urbanup.com/625718. "Fo' shizzle" means "for sure", but any other use of "shizzle" means "shit". In this case "SB is the shizzle" makes sense, as calling someone "the shit" is an (admittedly weird) way of saying that they're good or cool. — It's dot com 02:59, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

I understand where you're coming from, but my problem with it is other quotes such as "Curses! I've gone to Hell! How unfortunate!". In this context, that would mean "Curses! I've been damned! How unfortunate!". However since they didn't choose to use the swear word, it doesn't constitute a swear word any more than "freaking" or "dang". ⇔Thunderbird⇔ 03:54, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

I disagree. I think they meant it. Even if they didn't, though, it's still notable that that's what it can mean. — It's dot com 04:04, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

TBC/Others Swearing?

Should this article cover TBC and other people connected to H*R swearing? TBC swore in a couple of interviews, and the end of the BOTS commentary is vulgar. Suggestions? ¤ The Mü _{Talk to me.} 01:03, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

I personally don't think so. This article is about swearing and references to swearing on H*R.com. It's really not notable that they swear in real life, as (given their humor) they don't seem like the kind of people who wouldn't. — It's dot com 01:25, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but we should include swears in commentaries. Those are still part of the H*R universe, even though they are somewhat removed. Loafing

01:55, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

Part of the H*R body of work, perhaps, but not part of the H*R universe. ;) — It's dot com 02:28, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

You're right. They sometimes cross over though, when one of the characters suddenly joins in ;-) Loafing

02:35, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

Is "pissed off" a swear? I don't think so. It might be less than Grandma-and-Grandpa's-house etiquette, but that's not what defines a swear. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

02:10, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

It's listed as vulgar slang in most dictionaries. I don't know whether that actually answers your question. I would tend to think that it is a mild swear, given that it is censored on TV (more so in the past) and has a permissable form ("ticked off"). — It's dot com 02:28, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

According to m-w.com, a swearword is vulgar or profane. Vulgarity is essentially lower-class speech (which is relative to your class); profanity is language that insults one's belief of what's right and wrong in the world (which is relative to your beliefs). BTW, "pissed off" is condidered "sometimes vulgar" by m-w. Of course, dictionaries merely chronicle usage, and as such should not be seen as prescriptive, so multiple sources should be consulted. It remains that "pissed off"'s swear-ness may or may not have a concensus among lexicographers. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

02:52, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

"Pissed off" comes from the root "piss", which is unacceptable in any circumstance (at least for me). ¤ The Mü

_{Talk to me.} 03:02, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

trevor the vampire

Alright. I hate to challange one of the most-used examples of profanity on H*R.com, but why do you guys automatically assume that Strong Bad was going to say "what the f**k"? He could have just as well said "what the freak", which would be covered under Freakin'. Peoples? ¤ The Mü _{Talk to me.} 18:21, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

I posed the same question long ago, either in talk someplace or in a edit summary. The response I got was that "freak" didn't make any sense. Wish I could find that conversation. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

18:27, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

~~Wikipedia's entry on "WTF" says that "freak" is just as likely. Hmmm... ¤ The Mü _{Talk to me.} 18:31, 28 August 2006 (UTC)~~

Wait... nevermind. But it is still just as likely. ¤ The Mü

_{Talk to me.} 18:33, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Nothing else makes as much sense as F*** (unless, maybe, it's some odd-spelling variant, like what my friends use. Fark, fawk, fook, and so forth). --DorianGray

In your opinion. Look at how many times Strong Bad has used the word "freakin'". Does the situation here merit that he would say "f**k"? ¤ The Mü

_{Talk to me.} 18:46, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Mu, first off, of course it's his opinion, this is a talk page. Second, while he has said "freak" a lot, he has never said it after "What the". What the crap, just plain what the, but never "What the freak". So "freak"'s suddenly no likelier than any other f word, after all. - Qermaq - (^T/C)

18:52, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

KF'nC

I personally think that the KF'nC basket should be listed here, but I wanted to get other people's opinions first.

I think it's quite likely that the "f'n" stands for f***in'. After all, if it was KFreakinC or KFrigginC, TBC would most likely just call it KFreakinC... Raised by Coffee _AAaAaa ^AaaAAa 18:16, 1 September 2006 (UTC)