Welcome to the @#$1@!4 newsroom

[enigami]

So, I ask again: what makes my choice of "fork!" so much more profane than my grandmother's choice of "shootfire" when we're expressing the exact same sentiment in the exact same tone?

Tradition. Traditionally, our society has looked upon "fork" as a vulgar, low-class word, preferred by tattoo artists, pirates, crack whores, etc. Accepted as a staple of military culture because, well, they're defending our country, it's a high-stress life-or-death scenario, and they can say whatever they want.

Traditionally, "shootfire" would be seen as ... um, not vulgar. But it's not a traditional expression of disgust which, as you point out, makes it funny.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned. So f--- me.

 

[enigami]

So, I ask again: what makes my choice of "fork!" so much more profane than my grandmother's choice of "shootfire" when we're expressing the exact same sentiment in the exact same tone?

Tradition. Traditionally, our society has looked upon "fork" as a vulgar, low-class word, preferred by tattoo artists, pirates, crack whores, etc. Accepted as a staple of military culture because, well, they're defending our country, it's a high-stress life-or-death scenario, and they can say whatever they want.

Traditionally, "shootfire" would be seen as ... um, not vulgar. But it's not a traditional expression of disgust which, as you point out, makes it funny.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned. So f--- me.

fork tradition. ;D

(But thanks for answering. I disagree that the word is somehow inherently profane, in and of itself, but if that's your judgment I can respect it.)

Actually, I don't think a word can be inherently profane, either. It's within the cultural context, within its tradition, that it becomes profane. For me it goes back to the fact that we're judged by the words that we choose, and I don't want to be judged/labeled a "profane" person when I can simply choose to use different words. Like "shootfire."

 

[buckweaver]

Actually, I don't think a word can be inherently profane, either. It's within the cultural context, within its tradition, that it becomes profane. For me it goes back to the fact that we're judged by the words that we choose, and I don't want to be judged/labeled a "profane" person when I can simply choose to use different words. Like "shootfire."

Within its cultural context, or within the context of its usage? Words change their meanings over time. Some words fall out of the vernacular entirely.

So I don't know that I'd ascribe a lot of importance to tradition, or the cultural context of words that are often fluid over time. (heck, did people use the word "fork" in such versatile terms a century ago? I bet not. ;D)

Not sure how harshly you think the Great Copy Editor in the Sky is judging you to make you look over your shoulder so much about the words you choose, but I prefer a less stressful, more profane approach. But to each his own.

 

[friend of a friend]

Sorry, enigami, but if I see an AP news alert at 10:30 p.m. that is gonna fork up my front page, I'm going to shout out a profanity.

If that makes me unprofessional, so be it. And I don't give a fork if I'm labeled a profane person. Actually, I prefer it.

 

[boots]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fork

 

[Tom Petty]

Sorry, enigami, but if I see an AP news alert at 10:30 p.m. that is gonna fork up my front page, I'm going to shout out a profanity.

If that makes me unprofessional, so be it. And I don't give a fork if I'm labeled a profane person. Actually, I prefer it.

i guess i'd never want to work in a professional forking newsroom.

 

[friend of a friend]

Nor would I.

 

[Tom Petty]

Nor would I.

if you ever walk into one, will you PM me so i can put it on the black list? shirt, i'd like to know if one exists.

 

[Tom Petty]

Heathens, all of you.

fork off.

 

[boots]

 

[enigami]

Sorry, enigami, but if I see an AP news alert at 10:30 p.m. that is gonna fork up my front page, I'm going to shout out a profanity.

If that makes me unprofessional, so be it. And I don't give a fork if I'm labeled a profane person. Actually, I prefer it.

I don't, but that's OK. I've become accustomed to the difference in philosophy.
In fact, I've worked alongside people on this thread who agree with you, and never once have I complained about their 10:30 pm f-bombs.
With respect to the fluidity of a word's definition over time, I'd love to be in the New York Times newsroom for one night in 1851, drop a ton of casual profanities on deadline, and see how it flies. They'd probably take my byline away.

 

[Tom Petty]

Exactly. Because, of course, the use of so-called profanity has undoubtedly become more acceptable in society since 1851, thus that hypothetical NYT newsroom would be reacting in a way that is expected of their time. Times have changed.

i love your defense of cursing. my respect for you is through the forking roof at this point in life.