.
> >
> > Even if you're by yourself and you hit your thumb with a hammer, when you swear, you are more likely to throw the hammer than if you don't swear.
> >
> > Well, that's what I can remember of the argument; anybody have anything to add?
> >
> > -Enig"I swear I don't swear!"ma
>
> I'm not sold on that. Some times when I hit myself with a hammer (or some other thing like that) I get it out of my system with a "Sh.." but, if some one is around that I don't want to swear infront of I have to keep it inside, and I'm angry for the rest of the day. Stress needs a release, and for some people it is swear words.
>
> Speed'noBLEEPINGcomment'ball

I agree that stress needs a release. Sometimes I really wish I had a speed bag around the house, it would be a helpful defuser.
The funny thing about swearing is that only the connotation can be offensive. People choose certain swear words because of their cultural meaning, and not because that particular combination of consonants and vowels create a calming effect. Case in point, elsewhere in this thread Speedball said he used the word "bugger" in lieau of other profanity. To him and other cultures outside of Great Britain, the word is essentially meaningless. He might as well say "Darmok". That's why it's equally as easy to swear in a foreign language, because that combination of sounds intrinsicly has no meaning beyond what someone just told you it meant.
One could essentially create a new swear word to a control group of toddlers by simply allowing them to hear a word and attaching some hideous meaning to it, and reinforcing its faux definition over an extended period of time. Thus, having a group of people who are deeply offended at an otherwise innate word.

Tra "ummmm... I'm telling.. you said 'Rinkworks'" nio