Profanity in Blogs
For some that’s a biggy. Should I use ‘vulgair’ language in my blog posts? Do I have to use that? Will the use of strong words attract more readers and get reactions from them? Questions, questions, questions… Profanity in blogs, what is it good for?
Use of Profanities
I don’t want to get into the morals of things to far in this post, because I believe that everyone is free to use the words he / she likes for whatever reason. Within the boundaries of the law of course.
This does not mean you have to like profanity in blogs.Or dislike for that matter. It’s up to you.
In communication over the internet over the years the way people express themselves changed. The English language changed and still is changing. Twenty years ago there was porn. Everybody on the internet at that time called it pr0n, because it was just ‘not done’ to talk about porn.
As a result of that, the word pron made it to be a part of “The Internet Slang”. The brain automatically substitute the meaning of the words. So.. what was pron again? Right!
Like I said earlier, the times are changing and the way people talk or communicate too. A large effect on ‘the way we speak’ comes from broadcast-ed songs on TV. The so called gang rap is direct and to the point. There is just one way to understand the words used. No second guessing.
Parental Advisory
I kinda like that approach. So what do we do to protect our kids from listening to that kind of music? Nothing. I am certain parents know what’s good for their kids and / or should be watched or listened to together.
A parental advisory note is a good way to at least give the parents some fair warning and they might consider if it’s OK for their kids to listen too, or watch, depending on the age of the kids involved, of course.
Can it be useful to use cursing or ‘bad language’ in blogs? Be aware that the internet pretty much is an open space. And it should be like that. It’s a good idea to issue out a warning on your blog if you are using profanity. Some blogging platforms have an option to make blogs 13+ of 18+.
Functional use of profanity? When you’re writing fiction it can be functional to use profanity. Almost mandatory when you are trying to ‘paint a scene’ for your readers.
I have never seen two gang members getting at each other throats over a drug deal that went bad saying “I beg you, Mr. Smith. Answer me in all honesty. Did you, or did you not sell my home grown cannabis to your companion Mr. Johnson? I warn you, be honest to me or I will be forced to bodily harm both you and your associate, the honorable Mr. Johnson. And – in addition to hat – I would like to inform you that we will no longer be friends, Mr. Smith!”. Profanity in blogs sometimes works…
Just don’t work, huh?
Happy Profani’ing
// Jan
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You know I don’t mind a “seasoned” word here and there providing its used in the context that makes sense with the post. Now if people start using curse words for shock value, I tend to devalue the blog for its lack of originality. I have read worse blogs but one blog I like the blogger uses it all the time, but her blog is funny as hell and quite frankly it works for her. Now does it work for my blog, no. If I had started my blog off like that from the gate, people would be use to it and my readers would come to expect it.
Now there are some blogs that I see go to the extent to post that they won’t curse or allow it on their blog and that’s OK too, so as long as they don’t try to push their values off on me, I am cool with it. But if I comment, I am respectful and abide by their rules because that’s just what you do. I love all types of blogs and I am advocate for people having their own style, flavor and voice.
Be yourself always and if people don’t like it, they don’t have to read your blog. Plain and simple…
See… Great minds… You’re right. The use of those words has to be ‘interesting’ to your targeted readers. So yes, it can contribute to the value of your blog for it’s readers.
Writing fiction – You sometimes have to use it.
Most importantly – like you said – be yourself. People can sniff out from a mile away that you’re pretending if you act like someone you are not.
Thanks!
Jan recently posted: Profanity in Blogs
Posts like all of yours are why I love coming here. Yep. I put a warning on my homepage. It should be revised though because many times during my last post I wanted to say…female dog. But it’s not one of the words I listed on the homepage as a word I would use.
vanita recently posted: Why I Will Not Comment On “Big Blogs” Anymore
I got you. Fair warning is all you need. well not you, your blog. It’s not like you’re armwrestling someone into reading it. It’s just like TV. Don’t wanna see? Don’t look! TIP: If you want to chance all occurrences of ‘female dog’ to somethings else, do it by hand. Don’t use a global search-and-replace tool, or you could get funky results…
Jan recently posted: Profanity in Blogs
F*** you! LMAO Sorry, had too! I think I have that UNCENSORED yada yada yada warning somewhere on mine.
Curse words don’t bother me but I did stumble upon a blog and it was just vulgar. too much for me. Didn’t subscribe.
Brenda Lee recently posted: Now is not the time
LOL. Well… likewise.
Like I said, you’re not forcing anyone to read it. Don’t like it – don’t read it. Pretty simple. Thanks for the comment. 
Jan recently posted: Profanity in Blogs
I don’t mind it once in a while if it’s to get a point across but if it is all the time I may not go back. Sometimes it’s part of someones style too and that’s okay if I know and understand that. If its just to get attention I don’t like it.
I used to hate having to be so careful of what my kids listened to – it wasn’t easy! I don’t know how parents do it today.
Lisa recently posted: Getting By With The Help Of My Twitter Friends
I agree. If it’s not necessary, don’t use it or if it’s your style do. But I think it’s important for writers / tv makers / bloggers to warn people what lies ahead.It’s only fair. I’m glad I don’t have small kids anymore. I would end up being over – protected I think. Thanks for the comment!
I don’t use foul language in my private life. I haven’t since I served in the army. I just follow that way on my blog also. I might take something out of my blog, If it’s just meant to shock, but would keep it in if relevant.
Stan recently posted: IGive.com – A Charity Mall
Hi Stan. Thanks for your reaction. And you’re right. When using profanity it has to serve a purpose, to enhance the ‘style’ of a blog post. If not, then leave it out, is my opinion.
I don’t use it just to use it but I certainly have peppered more than a few posts with some colorful language. Sometimes it helps to make a point in a different way than another word would.
Jack@TheJackB recently posted: Don’t Regret Not Living Your Life
I get that. If it’s to make a point or get the message across better than it would serve a purpose. If not – don’t. And nope, use of slang language will not create a bigger audience. Thanks for your response Jack. I appreciate that.
There is a saying ” When a man uses profanity to support an argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is weak – portably both”. Generally, there comes a time when a profane word or two will help to deliver a point. The challenge is over use or to much of a good thing. When that happens a reader will often tire of the experience and move to something that better underlines their interest and reading pleasure. Just my thoughts.
Susan Cooper recently posted: A Daughter’s Memory Of Her Mother
I agree and thanks for your reaction. It’s – at least for some people – a way of ‘winning’ an discussion. Like you said, one will only need strong words if one can’t win by argumentation. And some people are just like that.
I tend to use profanity for emphasis, but, not necessarily as a matter of course. The whole subject is interesting to me. Am puzzled why mere words are so disturbing to some. Words are only bad if YOU think they are, yes? Fuckin’ right!
Debbie recently posted: END OF THE WORLD? SERIOUSLY?!
True, the use of it can be useful in some cases. Not use just because and all the time.
Question – what do you think about having the word “badass” in the title of a blog? I mean it in like a rockstar, superhero kind of way — you know, someone just going out and being big and brave and awesome. Do you think having it in the title itself would deter people before they even gave it a chance to check out its meaning? Just curious to get your thoughts.
Hi Sarahm
I don’t believe that’s a ‘bad’ thing. The title if a blog is the first thing / impression people get when they start reading a blog post. It’s a çatchy’tile for a blog post.