The asterisk is something that I had to use on social media. I used to get warnings from Zukey's bots and a couple of month long exiles. I use 'freaking' a lot so the pearl-clutchers don't get the "vapors".
I have a monthly column in a trade rag (cxnetwork.com.au). The editor likes the cut of my jib so much that he said "write whatever the fuck you want." So I do, and I find that I can generally get away with low level sweary (if it's in context). However, I got edited recently cos I used 3 f-bombs in 3 consecutive sentences. I knew I was testing the boundaries and I found them. Know your audience.
I have been thinking about this comment you made. I hundred percent agree that we do not need to teach children filthy words, but there is so much joy in teaching them to creatively insult another person. ☺️
When my kids were little the worst thing they could say to a person who annoyed them (and I am SO PROUD I taught them this!!) was, “May the fleas of a 1000 Afghan Camels infest your loins… and then may your arms fall off!” 🤣
Partial use of asterisks in a swear word is a pretentious move typically done by people (and book publishers) who want to use the words without seeming to give the offense the words still cause to some. If I see it in print in an article or book cover, I move on...
Same here, I move on too. It's also used on certain platforms that shall remain nameless to please the distribution 'we don't want to ever offend anyone ever' gods.
Very enjoyable post. I have a memoir coming out soon and, considering my past, it contains surprisingly little profanity. A goldsmithing manual I wrote a few years back is notably sweary. Go figure.
I don't know the series but I like the sound of the cut of its jib already! If you want to get utterly shitfaced playing a curse word drinking game while watching Malcolm Tucker in the The Thick of It 😆
It was Battlestar Galactica and they spelled it “frak” so at least it was still a four letter word starting with F and ending in K. 😂 Drove people crazy.
I use asterisks to escape the most rudimentary moderation-bots. I developed the habit back in my days on Twitter, but still managed to get three suspensions before I quit for good (note - if anti-vaxxers can claim to be "adept" at anything, it's coordinating an account mass-reporting campaign on social media).
Some humans on social media are natural moderation-bots. My strategy here on Substack is to identify them ASAP and block them ruthlessly.
Still, I use the asterisk - mostly in posts that are somewhat unserious and lighthearted, where cursing is unnecessary.
When I want to convey great vengeance and furious anger fuck yeah I fucking curse, and just own it.
But whatever, fuck it, I'm writing here as personal therapy anyfuckingway.
I recently wrote a short (short) story that used the sentence "This amounted to fuck all." in the denouement of a Star Wars story. I felt good about it🤣
Wankspangle cock toboggan? My Rottweiler, Lavender Bacon, says thanks for waiting to put this phrase out into the world cause his asshat owner would have named him that.
The asterisk is something that I had to use on social media. I used to get warnings from Zukey's bots and a couple of month long exiles. I use 'freaking' a lot so the pearl-clutchers don't get the "vapors".
Thanks for this article!
I'm dying at "so the pearl-clutchers don't get the "vapors"." 😆😆😆 Freaking ridiculous.
That made my day Kathryn.
I use "Flucking" but then, I might be biased😜
You have to know the rules before you break them! I’m a sweary person but I have had to learn to shut it down for work (I know, so fucking unfair).
I hate that the predictive text function on my phone wants me to type “ducking” but if I use the mic it transcribes it correctly.
I’ve used the asterisk for work emails, but otherwise no, never. Excellent post!
Damed HR and their 'rules'.
Ooph that is so ducking annoying. My phone also tries to censor my ass, I'll retype it as many times as necessary though--it shall not win!
I laughed, I cried, this fucking moved me.
😆😆 Nicely said John, thanks.
I have a monthly column in a trade rag (cxnetwork.com.au). The editor likes the cut of my jib so much that he said "write whatever the fuck you want." So I do, and I find that I can generally get away with low level sweary (if it's in context). However, I got edited recently cos I used 3 f-bombs in 3 consecutive sentences. I knew I was testing the boundaries and I found them. Know your audience.
Your editor sounds cool as balls. 3 consecutive fucks is pushing it for anyone, but well done on finding the line haha
Swearing adds HEART to language and that’s fucking final. Thank you for reaffirming my most basic belief.
Absofuckinglutely Deester. Unless you're writing kids books I suppose.
I have been thinking about this comment you made. I hundred percent agree that we do not need to teach children filthy words, but there is so much joy in teaching them to creatively insult another person. ☺️
When my kids were little the worst thing they could say to a person who annoyed them (and I am SO PROUD I taught them this!!) was, “May the fleas of a 1000 Afghan Camels infest your loins… and then may your arms fall off!” 🤣
I suppose 😅
Partial use of asterisks in a swear word is a pretentious move typically done by people (and book publishers) who want to use the words without seeming to give the offense the words still cause to some. If I see it in print in an article or book cover, I move on...
Same here, I move on too. It's also used on certain platforms that shall remain nameless to please the distribution 'we don't want to ever offend anyone ever' gods.
Very enjoyable post. I have a memoir coming out soon and, considering my past, it contains surprisingly little profanity. A goldsmithing manual I wrote a few years back is notably sweary. Go figure.
I love the contrast there Ken. I guess it only comes out of you sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
…oh, man… I'm a motherfucking amateur… wait, I didn't even use that right… ugh… fuck me sideways…
😆😆The phrase fuck me sideways is phenomenal. I'd forgotten about that one, so, thanks Ian!
Fucking illuminating...
Is that preity zinta? lol!
I have no idea, I just thought the gif was fun.
It is fun!
What was that old sci-fi series that used “fracking”? They said it so much! It makes for a great drinking game if you like a good hangover.
I don't know the series but I like the sound of the cut of its jib already! If you want to get utterly shitfaced playing a curse word drinking game while watching Malcolm Tucker in the The Thick of It 😆
I haven’t heard of that one.
Ummm...warning or whatever lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjKHPv7b3fQ
It was Battlestar Galactica and they spelled it “frak” so at least it was still a four letter word starting with F and ending in K. 😂 Drove people crazy.
https://youtu.be/I4MJtY0uHOs
My link didn’t ask for an age consent. Haha
I use asterisks to escape the most rudimentary moderation-bots. I developed the habit back in my days on Twitter, but still managed to get three suspensions before I quit for good (note - if anti-vaxxers can claim to be "adept" at anything, it's coordinating an account mass-reporting campaign on social media).
Some humans on social media are natural moderation-bots. My strategy here on Substack is to identify them ASAP and block them ruthlessly.
Still, I use the asterisk - mostly in posts that are somewhat unserious and lighthearted, where cursing is unnecessary.
When I want to convey great vengeance and furious anger fuck yeah I fucking curse, and just own it.
But whatever, fuck it, I'm writing here as personal therapy anyfuckingway.
Ouch. Yeah theo antivaxxers if nothing else are organized. Good point about the mod bots on certain platforms. Thankfully this one is cool AF.
Nicely said with "convey great vengeance" 🤣. Let your freaky fuck flag fly John.
I recently wrote a short (short) story that used the sentence "This amounted to fuck all." in the denouement of a Star Wars story. I felt good about it🤣
Feels good sometimes doesn't it? 🤣
@$/! G. xz&< !!! S#$ %(** zv÷÷! !!!
Well said Gary, well said.
Wankspangle cock toboggan? My Rottweiler, Lavender Bacon, says thanks for waiting to put this phrase out into the world cause his asshat owner would have named him that.
I tried my hand at writing with swears:
"Fork the heck out of that fudging witch, you darn ship-shooting frick, or crud will rain down!"