Is the F-Bomb now a dud?

[kazoolaw]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth f*** was rarely heard in “polite” company. It provoked an involuntary reaction: a shudder, a cringe, a wince, a “do you want me to wash your mouth out with soap?” reaction.
Time passed. The four letter word became more common, and began to move down the age scale. For a period of time hearing grade schoolers saying _____ was startling. Not any more.
In 1972 it was ranked Number 3 in George Carlin’s Seven Words sketch.
F##k turned up everywhere. It had the practical effect of lowering the standard for creative profanity. People substituted frequently repeating f—k for truly artistic, innovative, and effective profanity.
Whither goest the f-word? “F-ing” has become a substitute for “very,” losing its shock value in the process.
Its appearance is also a “tell,” signalling that the topic triggers a strong internal response in the user. No longer a blunt instrument aimed at the listener, it is a clue slipping out about the mental state of the speaker.
Finally, “Eff you” and “Eff off.” From direct verbal assaults they have become exit lines from an arguments conceding defeat.
The English language has a way of evolving; somewhere a successor to the f-bomb is waiting to emerge.

[TSherbs]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth f*** was rarely heard in “polite” company. It provoked an involuntary reaction: a shudder, a cringe, a wince, a “do you want me to wash your mouth out with soap?” reaction.
Time passed. The four letter word became more common, and began to move down the age scale. For a period of time hearing grade schoolers saying _____ was startling. Not any more.
In 1972 it was ranked Number 3 in George Carlin’s Seven Words sketch.
F##k turned up everywhere. It had the practical effect of lowering the standard for creative profanity. People substituted frequently repeating f—k for truly artistic, innovative, and effective profanity.
Whither goest the f-word? “F-ing” has become a substitute for “very,” losing its shock value in the process.
Its appearance is also a “tell,” signalling that the topic triggers a strong internal response in the user. No longer a blunt instrument aimed at the listener, it is a clue slipping out about the mental state of the speaker.
Finally, “Eff you” and “Eff off.” From direct verbal assaults they have become exit lines from an arguments conceding defeat.
The English language has a way of evolving; somewhere a successor to the f-bomb is waiting to emerge.

There already are successors, boomer

[Chuck Naill]

For me, and I’ve voiced my share at one point, using this expletive is a substitute for being relevant. It’s way over used in movie scripts with John Goodmans’s character in The Big Lebowski, providing an example.

Maybe it’s a way to blow off steam or to communicate that you are really serious and angry. Maybe it’s just a reflex.

I do believe that what comes out of a person is what explains who they are inside. If the f word expresses anger and contempt, start there rather than try to avoid using.

[kazoolaw]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth f*** was rarely heard in “polite” company. It provoked an involuntary reaction: a shudder, a cringe, a wince, a “do you want me to wash your mouth out with soap?” reaction.
Time passed. The four letter word became more common, and began to move down the age scale. For a period of time hearing grade schoolers saying _____ was startling. Not any more.
In 1972 it was ranked Number 3 in George Carlin’s Seven Words sketch.
F##k turned up everywhere. It had the practical effect of lowering the standard for creative profanity. People substituted frequently repeating f—k for truly artistic, innovative, and effective profanity.
Whither goest the f-word? “F-ing” has become a substitute for “very,” losing its shock value in the process.
Its appearance is also a “tell,” signalling that the topic triggers a strong internal response in the user. No longer a blunt instrument aimed at the listener, it is a clue slipping out about the mental state of the speaker.
Finally, “Eff you” and “Eff off.” From direct verbal assaults they have become exit lines from an arguments conceding defeat.
The English language has a way of evolving; somewhere a successor to the f-bomb is waiting to emerge.

There already are successors, boomer

Good to hear.
Please catch me up.

[dneal]

It's a placeholder. Sometimes just a replacement for "uhhh" as a linking function. But more usually to convey an emotive. You get that from the context, and that's why it has such a range and utility. Good sergeants can string together cogent sentences that are 75% variations of the word. It's impressive.

It also has a place. Sure there's JD Vance's mamaw (just an archetype everyone knows an example of), but generally you don't use the word in front of grandma. There's polite and professional company. It's vulgar for its laziness as much as its meaning. It has a place and use, sparingly.

[724Seney]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth f*** was rarely heard in “polite” company. It provoked an involuntary reaction: a shudder, a cringe, a wince, a “do you want me to wash your mouth out with soap?” reaction.
Time passed. The four letter word became more common, and began to move down the age scale. For a period of time hearing grade schoolers saying _____ was startling. Not any more.
In 1972 it was ranked Number 3 in George Carlin’s Seven Words sketch.
F##k turned up everywhere. It had the practical effect of lowering the standard for creative profanity. People substituted frequently repeating f—k for truly artistic, innovative, and effective profanity.
Whither goest the f-word? “F-ing” has become a substitute for “very,” losing its shock value in the process.
Its appearance is also a “tell,” signalling that the topic triggers a strong internal response in the user. No longer a blunt instrument aimed at the listener, it is a clue slipping out about the mental state of the speaker.
Finally, “Eff you” and “Eff off.” From direct verbal assaults they have become exit lines from an arguments conceding defeat.
The English language has a way of evolving; somewhere a successor to the f-bomb is waiting to emerge.

There already are successors, boomer

Good to hear.
Please catch me up.

You are asking the right guy. He's our resident expert!

[kazoolaw]

Oh wait, was that a reference to “OK, boomer”?
I finally (being old and all) caught on that is supposed to be an insult.
My first problem was I thought it referred to the third definition, and was a compliment:

boomer /boo͞′mər/
noun
(1) One that booms.
"an amp that is a real boomer."
(2) A baby boomer.
(3) A nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles.
-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Then I had a question: do Gen XYZ’ers call each other that, or only us Old Ones?
The appeal of f*** was universal.
Again, if i’ve missed a replacement I’d love to hear.

[724Seney]

Oh wait, was that a reference to “OK, boomer”?
I finally (being old and all) caught on that is supposed to be an insult.
My first problem was I thought it referred to the third definition, and was a compliment:

boomer /boo͞′mər/
noun
(1) One that booms.
"an amp that is a real boomer."
(2) A baby boomer.
(3) A nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles.
-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Then I had a question: do Gen XYZ’ers call each other that, or only us Old Ones?
The appeal of f*** was universal.
Again, if i’ve missed a replacement I’d love to hear.

My comment was meant to reflect that TSherbs is, by far, the most foul and profane poster on this Board.
Ergo, our resident expert when it comes to all things foul & profane.

Meanwhile, Warbler (aka TSherbs "Mini-Me") is working hard to catch up to his idol.

[kazoolaw]

The Topic was about the Bomb, not any particular person’s use.

[TSherbs]

Oh wait, was that a reference to “OK, boomer”?
I finally (being old and all) caught on that is supposed to be an insult.
My first problem was I thought it referred to the third definition, and was a compliment:

boomer /boo͞′mər/
noun
(1) One that booms.
"an amp that is a real boomer."
(2) A baby boomer.
(3) A nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles.
-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Then I had a question: do Gen XYZ’ers call each other that, or only us Old Ones?
The appeal of f*** was universal.
Again, if i’ve missed a replacement I’d love to hear.

hahaha

yeah, I meant (2), judging from your announcement that you are retired .

I like (3) though, too

I can think of some silly definitions that I could add, but I'll pass (Seney is watching and taking notes)

Substitutes for F*$^@?

knock boots?

zark?

and some more that I will also pass on....

but nothing else has the versatility and staying power (wink) of the f-bomb -- still the champ.

[724Seney]

I can think of some silly definitions that I could add, but I'll pass (Seney is watching and taking notes

Correct-o-mundo a**-hole

[Chuck Naill]

Oh wait, was that a reference to “OK, boomer”?
I finally (being old and all) caught on that is supposed to be an insult.
My first problem was I thought it referred to the third definition, and was a compliment:

boomer /boo͞′mər/
noun
(1) One that booms.
"an amp that is a real boomer."
(2) A baby boomer.
(3) A nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles.
-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Then I had a question: do Gen XYZ’ers call each other that, or only us Old Ones?
The appeal of f*** was universal.
Again, if i’ve missed a replacement I’d love to hear.

My comment was meant to reflect that TSherbs is, by far, the most foul and profane poster on this Board.
Ergo, our resident expert when it comes to all things foul & profane.

Meanwhile, Warbler (aka TSherbs "Mini-Me") is working hard to catch up to his idol.

Given your proclivity for foulness, I can only imagine early onset has crept up on you recently. Ted is in second or third place as anyone paying attention would know.

[kazoolaw]

“…as anyone paying attention would know.”
Rules you out.

[TSherbs]

The Topic was about the Bomb, not any particular person’s use.

-+-

[Chuck Naill]

Always the same thing with some people.

[724Seney]

Always the same thing with some people.

Like you always being a clueless dumb-ass?

[kazoolaw]

-+-

But can we put it on t-shirts?

[Chuck Naill]

Always the same thing with some people.

Like you always being a clueless dumb-ass?

And you win the foul mouth of the day award. LOL!!

[kazoolaw]

It's a placeholder. Sometimes just a replacement for "uhhh" as a linking function. But more usually to convey an emotive. You get that from the context, and that's why it has such a range and utility. Good sergeants can string together cogent sentences that are 75% variations of the word. It's impressive.

It also has a place. Sure there's JD Vance's mamaw (just an archetype everyone knows an example of), but generally you don't use the word in front of grandma. There's polite and professional company. It's vulgar for its laziness as much as its meaning. It has a place and use, sparingly.

In casual conversation? Nah.
Ermey style-

NSFW