Regarding the word "fuck"
UPDATE: On July 13, 2010, a federal appeals court ruled that the FCC's 2004 guidelines and penalties for fleeting expletives were vague and violated the First Amendment. Read the Washington Post report.
These clips (which some may find objectionable) come from 2005 film, produced and directed by Steve Anderson, F**K - A Documentary
- Statements about the word's origins and etymology by leading linguists and historians.
- Brief profiles of two pioneers of free speech and enlightened attitudes regarding words and symbols, comedians Lenny Bruce and George Carlin
- Supreme Court rulings about the word in the context of free speech.
- Attempts by the FCC to regulate usage of the word over public airwaves.
- A summary of different perspectives and points of view.
We should remember that every word, every symbol, every sign or logo, was created by humans, is used by humans, and its meaning is determined by humans each and every time it is used. There is no such thing as inherent meaning of terms or symbols. We should differentiate between definitions of words (the history of how they've been used) vs. the meaning of a word used in a specific context at a particular time by individual(s) speakers and listeners.
Sometimes we can learn a lot about our attitudes toward language generally by closely examining the extremes of language, such as language generally considered to be 'profane' or 'obscene'. Of course, one of the lessons we just can't seem to learn is the importance of context - which is why comedians like George Carlin and Chris Rock can exploit that pathology in routines like these.
Read my column, "Why must a federal case be made out of using bad words?" published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in November 2008.
Read "A Fence Sieve Language" (pdf): The hip-hop world took a lot of the collateral damage from the initial Imus bomb, to the extent that rap/hip-hop icon and impresario Russell Simmons co-authored a statement that read, "We recommend that the recording and broadcast industries voluntarily remove/bleep/delete the misogynistic words bitch and ho" as well as "a common racial epithet." As if bleeping accomplishes anything other than calling attention to itself and, by extension, what got bleeped. If one thinks through the logical consequences of bleeping, one comes full circle to the realization that it's the context, not the word, that establishes the basis for offense. Even without benefit of visually observing the following phrases spoken, do you have any doubt as to what the "bleep" stands for?
"I said drop your bleeping gun!"
"Go bleep yourself."
"Get the bleep out of here."
"You dirty son of a bleep!"
"This tastes so bleeping good …" [more]
Clips from "The N Word: Divided We Stand"
(Videos may include material some may find objectionable.)
Here's Something About General Semantics:
A Primer for Making Sense of Your World
ISBN 978-0-9824645-0-2; 290 pages. FREE!
Available in eBook format (PDF) for immediate purchase and download.
Here’s Something About GS provides a thorough yet accessible overview of this misunderstood and under-appreciated discipline, reflecting work I’ve done in learning, teaching, and writing about general semantics for more than 13 years. It explains and demonstrates principles that promote an ongoing awareness of differences that make a difference. Learn how language and other symbols influence how you perceive your world, how you respond to your perceptions, and how you think-and-talk about your responses.
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For example, some of the topics commented on include:
- A fence sieve language
- Eating menus
- Definitions vs. meanings
- Tips for playing roulette
- Defending the swastika (ooh, controversy!)
- Making a federal case out of bad words (ooh, more blanking controversy!)
- Word magic
- Calling out the symbol rulers
- Lay off of my persuade shoes
- Symptoms of language misbehaviors
- Semantic pollution
- The bridge at Neverwas
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Interested in an excerpted video? Check out the Bib-Vid-liography listings here.